Easy Pumpkin Bars
Updated Oct 24, 2025
These pumpkin bars are easy to make with pumpkin puree and a few pantry staples. Super easy to make.
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These are the best pumpkin bars!

If there’s one dessert I never skip making in the fall, it’s these pumpkin bars. They’re light, fluffy, and spiced, kind of like if pumpkin bread and cake had a baby. I usually make a big batch because they disappear fast, especially when the house smells like cinnamon and everyone suddenly remembers they “love pumpkin.”
What I like most about these pumpkin bars is how simple they are. No frosting, just mix, bake, and you’re done. It’s the kind of recipe you can throw together on a busy weeknight or make ahead for a get-together without stressing over it.
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
Pumpkin Bars Ingredients
- Pumpkin puree: Use canned or homemade pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Unsweetened applesauce: You can make your own applesauce or use store-bought. If you don’t have applesauce, you can use vegetable oil or coconut oil.
- Dry ingredients: All-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Wet ingredients: Eggs, cane sugar, and dark brown sugar.
How to Make Pumpkin Bars









Pumpkin Bar Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs room temperature
- 2/3 cup cane sugar
- 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 15 ounces pumpkin puree
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Whisk the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Beat the eggs, sugars, pumpkin, and applesauce in another large bowl.
- Gradually pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into an ungreased 9×13-inch baking pan and bake for 25–30 minutes or until set. Remove from the oven and let the pumpkin bars cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack.
Equipment
Notes
- My Top Tip: Use room-temperature eggs. The yolks are softer at room temperature and easier to incorporate into the batter.
- Storage: Store the pumpkin bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Warm them up in the microwave for about 20 seconds, or in the oven at 350ºF for about 5 minutes.
- Freezing: Tightly wrap the entire pan or the individual bars in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place them in a freezer-friendly storage bag or an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Recipe Variations
- Add nuts. Stir a handful of walnuts, pecans, or almonds into the batter for extra texture and flavor.
- Or, fold in chocolate chips. For something sweeter, stir in some semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips before baking.
- Top them with frosting. Make a batch of my cream cheese frosting before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Use room-temperature eggs. The yolks are softer at room temperature and easier to incorporate into the batter.
- Don’t over-mix the batter. When you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, fold gently until just combined. If you overmix the batter, the pumpkin bars can turn out dense. A few lumps are definitely okay!
- Use a different-sized pan. For thinner pumpkin bars, use a 15×10-inch pan.








Comments
Used gluten free flour, made my own pumpkin puree. Prep time without making the puree took half an hour. Baking took 40 mins. I added some nutmeg, and hopefully didn’t add too much as I then read it can be dangerous! I’ll add some dollop cream on top and chocolate shavings.
Yum, that sounds so good!! How did they turn out?
I think they turned out pretty good! I can’t taste or smell but when I went home after the party there were only 3 pieces left:)
Aww, I’m so glad!! Thank you for coming back to let me know they were a hit!!
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