Description
These Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars are moist, flavorful, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and made with a gluten free flour blend, these bars are an ideal autumn treat for those avoiding gluten but still craving a delicious seasonal dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ cups (246g) gluten free flour blend
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
Wet Ingredients and Batter
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ⅔ cup (133g) light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (114g) canned pumpkin puree
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a square baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour blend, cinnamon, baking soda, and fine sea salt until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the room temperature butter with the packed light brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
- Add Pumpkin and Vanilla: Beat in the canned pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until fully incorporated into the creamed mixture.
- Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until everything is combined into a thick, slightly sticky batter.
- Transfer and Bake: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared parchment-lined pan using a rubber spatula. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a clean bowl, beat together the room temperature cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth and creamy using a mixer with paddle attachment.
- Add Sugar and Flavor: Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture and beat until fully combined and smooth.
- Frost Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled pumpkin bars.
- Serve: Once frosted, slice into 12 individual squares and serve.
Notes
- Ensure all dairy ingredients are at room temperature to achieve the smoothest frosting texture.
- For a spicier flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the dry ingredients.
- Store the pumpkin bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting the cream cheese frosting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
