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As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, there's nothing quite like indulging in seasonal pumpkin desserts. Pumpkin is a beloved fall staple, evoking warmth and nostalgia with every bite. Among the myriad of pumpkin treats, the Pumpkin & Cream Cheese Swirl Bars stand out as a delightful fusion of flavors and textures that perfectly capture the essence of autumn.

Decadent Pumpkin & Cream Cheese Swirl Bars

Delicious pumpkin bars with a creamy swirl of cream cheese.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 1.0 cup pure pumpkin puree
  • 1.0 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 0.5 cup vegetable oil
  • 3.0 large eggs
  • 1.0 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.0 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1.0 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 8.0 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 0.25 cup granulated sugar
  • 1.0 large egg
  • 1.0 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined.
  • In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, gently folding until just combined; do not overmix.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing again until well combined.
  • Pour about two-thirds of the pumpkin batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture over the pumpkin layer. Then, add the remaining pumpkin batter on top.
  • Using a knife or a skewer, gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the pumpkin batter to create a marbled effect. Be careful not to fully mix them; you want a beautiful swirl.
  • Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  • Once baked, take the bars out of the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.
  • For an extra touch, drizzle with a simple icing made from powdered sugar and milk or sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon before serving.

Notes

Drizzle with icing for extra sweetness.
Keyword bars, cream cheese, dessert, pumpkin