Description

These Pumpkin Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, thick, and perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Topped with a smooth, sweet frosting, they’re everything you love about fall in one bite! Ideal for Thanksgiving gatherings, Halloween parties, or cozy fall baking days, these cookie bars are a no-fuss dessert that looks as good as it tastes. One batch makes enough for a crowd, and each bar melts in your mouth with buttery pumpkin sweetness.

Ingredients

Scale

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract

Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional: a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin spice for topping

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla; beat until smooth.
Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until fully combined.
Spread dough evenly into prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 25–28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat until smooth.

Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars and slice into squares.

Notes

For thicker bars, use a smaller pan (8×11).

Chill the bars before cutting for clean edges.

Add a sprinkle of sea salt or cinnamon sugar on top for extra flavor.