Pumpkin Spice Bars

These Pumpkin Spice Bars are soft, moist, and full of warm fall flavor, topped with a thick layer of pumpkin-spiced cream cheese frosting. Made with Bisquick baking mix and an entire can of pumpkin, they’re an easy fall dessert that makes a big pan, perfect for sharing at potlucks, family gatherings, and Thanksgiving!

Oh, how I love pumpkin spice season! The colorful leaves, cooler mornings, cozy sweatshirts, and pumpkin spice lattes. Yes, we’re those girls in this house, and we’re perfectly happy about it!

And when it comes to pumpkin desserts, these easy Pumpkin Spice Bars are one of my favorites. They’re more like a tender pumpkin sheet cake than a traditional cookie bar, with just the right amount of spice and a generous layer of cream cheese frosting.

They’re easy to make, feed a crowd, and taste even better after chilling in the refrigerator.

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Spice Bars

• Easy to make: Bisquick baking mix keeps the ingredient list simple and makes these bars a breeze to put together.
• Soft and moist: A full can of pumpkin puree gives these bars their wonderful texture and rich pumpkin flavor.
• Pumpkin spice in every bite: Both the bars and the cream cheese frosting are flavored with pumpkin pie spice.
• Perfect for sharing: Baked in a large jelly roll pan, this recipe makes plenty for fall parties, bake sales, and holiday gatherings.
• Make-ahead friendly: These bars are delicious served chilled, so they’re a great dessert to prepare ahead of time.

A Recipe from an Old Church Cookbook

If you’ve been around here for a while, you probably know how much I love old church cookbooks. They’re filled with tried-and-true recipes from home cooks, the kind of recipes that get passed around at potlucks and family gatherings for years.

That’s exactly where these Pumpkin Spice Bars came from!

Years ago, I was flipping through an old church cookbook from Lincoln, Nebraska, when I spotted this recipe. Being the pumpkin spice lover that I am, I knew I had to try it.

When I started gathering my ingredients, I realized I was almost out of Bisquick. Rather than make a trip to the grocery store, I decided to make my own! That little kitchen adventure turned into my Homemade Bisquick Baking Mix, which works beautifully in these bars.

Those old community cookbooks have always held a special place in my heart. In fact, they were part of the inspiration behind my own cookbook, Savor It: A Collection of Recipes to Celebrate Life’s Delicious Moments.

I wanted to create a cookbook filled with recipes people would actually make, share with their families, and pass along to the next generation. Just like those well-loved church cookbooks that have been part of my kitchen for so many years.

If that sounds like your kind of cookbook, I’d love for you to take a peek at Savor It.

Ingredients in Pumpkin Spice Bars

These easy pumpkin bars come together with simple ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your pantry.

For the Pumpkin Bars

• Sugar: Sweetens the bars and helps create their soft, tender texture.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the pumpkin bars moist, even after they’ve been refrigerated.
• Pumpkin puree: Gives the bars their pumpkin flavor, beautiful orange color, and moist texture. Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Did you know you can also make your own?
• Eggs: Help bind everything together and give the bars their cakey structure.
• Bisquick baking mix: Makes these pumpkin bars especially easy by providing the flour, leavening, and other ingredients needed for a tender cake. Homemade Bisquick works, too!
• Pumpkin pie spice: Adds those familiar warm fall spices. You can use store-bought or my homemade pumpkin pie spice.
• Raisins: Optional, but they add little bites of sweetness throughout the bars.

For the Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese: Gives the frosting its rich, creamy texture and a little tanginess to balance the sweet pumpkin bars.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, spreadable frosting.
• Pumpkin spice coffee creamer or milk: Adds moisture to the frosting. Pumpkin spice creamer gives it an extra boost of fall flavor, but milk works just fine.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor of the frosting.
• Pumpkin pie spice: Adds a little extra warmth to every bite.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to the perfect spreading consistency.

Find the complete measurements and printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Bars

These pumpkin bars are so simple to make, and you don’t need any fancy techniques!

Prepare the pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1-inch jelly roll pan.

Mix the wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, and eggs for about one minute.

Add the dry ingredients. Fold in the Bisquick baking mix and pumpkin pie spice, along with the raisins if you’re using them. Mix just until combined.

Bake the bars. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool completely. Allow the pumpkin bars to cool before adding the frosting.

Make the frosting. Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the coffee creamer or milk, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until creamy and spreadable.

Frost and chill. Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled bars. Refrigerate until chilled, then cut into squares and enjoy!

How to Store Pumpkin Spice Bars

Because these bars are topped with cream cheese frosting, they need to be stored in the refrigerator.

Refrigerator: Keep the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If stacking them, place parchment paper between the layers to protect the frosting.

Freezer: You can freeze the unfrosted pumpkin bars for up to 3 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator, then frost before serving.

Make ahead: These bars are a great make-ahead dessert! Bake and frost them the day before you plan to serve them, then refrigerate until you’re ready to slice.

Love it? Pin it!

If you can’t wait to make this recipe for Pumpkin Spice Bars, make sure you remember where you found it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest Recipe Board before you go!

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Spice Bars

• Use pure pumpkin puree. Pumpkin pie filling already contains added sugar and spices and isn’t a substitute in this recipe.
• Don’t overmix the batter. Once you add the Bisquick, mix just until everything is combined to keep the bars soft and tender.
• Use the right pan. A jelly roll pan gives these bars their classic shape and thickness. A smaller pan will change the baking time and thickness.
• Soften the cream cheese and butter. This helps the frosting blend smoothly without lumps.
• Cool before frosting. Warm bars will melt the cream cheese frosting, so be patient and let them cool completely.
• Make them your own. Leave out the raisins if they’re not your thing, or add some chopped pecans or walnuts for a little crunch.

Best Pumpkin Spice Bars Tip: For the prettiest slices, chill the frosted bars before cutting them. Use a sharp knife and wipe the blade clean between cuts. You’ll get neat squares with that beautiful layer of pumpkin spice cream cheese frosting on top!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are these pumpkin bars supposed to be cakey? Yes! These pumpkin spice bars have a soft, moist, cake-like texture. Think of them as pumpkin sheet cake cut into squares rather than dense cookie bars.
• Can I make pumpkin bars without Bisquick? This recipe was developed using Bisquick baking mix, but you can use my homemade version if you don’t have a box in your pantry. Regular all-purpose flour isn’t a direct substitute because Bisquick contains additional ingredients.
• Can I leave out the raisins? Absolutely! The raisins are completely optional. The bars are delicious with or without them.
• Can I use milk instead of pumpkin spice coffee creamer? Yes! The original frosting uses pumpkin spice liquid coffee creamer for an extra bit of flavor, but regular milk works beautifully, too. There’s already pumpkin pie spice in the frosting, so you won’t miss out on that delicious flavor.
• Do pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated? Yes. Because the frosting contains cream cheese, store the bars covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve them.
• Can I make these pumpkin bars ahead of time? Definitely! They’re a wonderful dessert to make a day in advance, especially when you’re preparing for a fall party or Thanksgiving dinner.

More Pumpkin Recipes to Love

If you’re anything like me, there’s no such thing as too many pumpkin recipes! Whether you’re craving something sweet, savory, or even a pumpkin-inspired cocktail, I’ve got plenty of delicious ways to enjoy everyone’s favorite fall flavor.

• Pumpkin Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust: (pictured above) Creamy, spiced pumpkin pie filling baked over a buttery shortbread crust. All the goodness of pumpkin pie in an easy-to-serve bar!
• Pumpkin Cake: A moist, flavorful pumpkin cake filled with warm fall spices. A wonderful dessert for any autumn gathering.
• Pumpkin Bread: A deliciously moist quick bread that’s perfect with your morning coffee or as an afternoon treat.
• Pumpkin Curry Soup: A warm, comforting soup with pumpkin and delicious curry flavor. A savory way to enjoy pumpkin season!
• Pumpkin Zucchini Bread with Streusel Topping: Moist pumpkin bread with zucchini and a sweet, crumbly streusel topping.
• Frosted Soft Pumpkin Cookies: Soft, cakey pumpkin cookies topped with a sweet frosting. A fall baking favorite!
• Pumpkin Pie Turnovers: Flaky, golden pastry filled with sweet pumpkin pie filling. Perfect for an easy fall dessert.
• Pumpkin Spice Swirled Pie Crust Cookies: Buttery, flaky pie crust swirled with pumpkin spice and sugar for a simple, sweet treat.
• Pumpkin Pie Martini: A creamy, pumpkin-spiced cocktail that’s a fun way to toast the fall season.

Still looking for more? Browse all of my pumpkin recipes for even more fall favorites, or explore all of my bar recipes for easy, shareable desserts.

And if you’re planning your holiday menu, don’t miss all of my Thanksgiving recipes! From appetizers and side dishes to desserts, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for your holiday table.

There’s something about a big pan of frosted pumpkin bars that just feels like fall to me. Maybe it’s the warm spices, that thick layer of cream cheese frosting, or the fact that there’s plenty to share with family and friends.

Whatever the reason, these Pumpkin Spice Bars have been part of my recipe collection for years, and I hope they’ll find a place in yours, too.

If you make them, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a five-star rating below, and tell me, are you team raisins or no raisins?

This recipe was originally posted on September 30, 2015 and has been updated to improve user experience and reshared on October 30, 2026.