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Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are tender, golden-orange pumpkin bars baked until a toothpick comes out clean, then finished with a thick, fluffy cream cheese swirl. This classic American dessert stays sliceable after chilling, with a cinnamon dusting on top.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
chilling 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 24 bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the bars
  • 2 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum)
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 1.67 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 1 tsp vanilla
For cream cheese frosting
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp milk

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Bake the pumpkin bars
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 15x10 rimmed baking sheet.
  2. Whisk the gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Beat the eggs, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, and vanilla until smooth, then fold in the flour mixture.
  4. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
  5. Bake for 25-28 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Cool the bars completely.
Make and finish with frosting
  1. Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  2. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and milk, then beat until very fluffy.
  3. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and dust with cinnamon.
  4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before cutting.

Notes

For clean slices, chill the frosted bars at least 30 minutes so the frosting sets. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; freeze unfrosted bars up to 2 months, then thaw and add frosting for best texture. For a dairy-light option, use lactose-free cream cheese and butter in the frosting to keep the flavor and spreadability similar.