Pumpkin Bars to Add to Your Fall Baking List

Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars
Photo: Karla Conrad

There's no wrong time to eat pumpkin bars. With flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg, these delicious treats can be enjoyed any time of day, or year—and we bet you won't be able to stop at just one. Whether you're a pumpkin pie lover who wants to try something new, a cheesecake fan craving a fall flavor, or someone looking for a healthier version of classic pumpkin bars, we've got you covered. You may be hungry for pumpkin in autumn, but these bars are easy to fall for all year long.

01 of 14

Spiced Pumpkin Bars

Spiced Pumpkin Bars
Karla Conrad

Get ready: These delicious cakelike pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are going to disappear in a hurry. Simply add a few shakes of cinnamon over these creamy swirls and you've got a party-ready dessert. Enjoy pecans? Add nuttiness and crunch by stirring chopped pecans into the batter.

02 of 14

Pumpkin Creme Bars

Pumpkin Creme Bars
Blaine Moats

Consider these over-the-top pumpkin dessert bars a mash-up recipe of three treats in one. They start with a buttery, oatmeal-cookie-like crust, which is layered with a creamy, spiced pumpkin pie-inspired filling. An irresistible muffin-like toffee streusel tops it all off.

03 of 14

Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars

Chocolate-Swirled Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars
Karla Conrad

Chocolate lovers, rejoice—these pumpkin chocolate chip bars have luscious cream cheese and rich melted chocolate swirled into the batter, then an extra sprinkle of chocolate chips on top. Talk about a perfect after-school snack.

04 of 14

Toffee-Pumpkin Pie Bars

Toffee-Pumpkin Pie Bars
Jason Donnelly

Cinnamon, ginger, cloves—fall's spices are all here. A sweet ginger crumb crust and rich toffee pieces hold the filling for this pumpkin pie bar recipe. If that's not quite rich enough for you, top them with a generous pour of caramel sauce before serving.

05 of 14

Pumpkin Flaxseed Chocolate Breakfast Bars

Pumpkin Flaxseed Chocolate Breakfast Bars
Courtesy of Alice Choi

Fall mornings are about to get a whole lot better. Just add these healthy pumpkin-oatmeal bars to your breakfast rotation to make your taste buds and body happy. Full of heart-healthy oats, bananas, flaxseed, and pumpkin, they'll keep you satisfied until lunchtime.

06 of 14

Frosted Pumpkin Bars

Frosted Pumpkin Bars
Courtesy

These classic pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are the stuff of dreams. With a generous bar-to-frosting ratio, these treats are so fluffy you won't be able to stop at just one square. Top them with candy pumpkins for a festive take.

07 of 14

Gingersnap Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Gingersnap Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Brie Passano

A gingersnap crust practically screams fall. The slightly spicy cookies serve as a perfect crunchy base for these pumpkin cheesecake bars drizzled with chocolate. Stored in an airtight container, they'll freeze well for up to three months—as if they'd last that long.

08 of 14

Autumn Pumpkin Bars

Autumn Pumpkin Bars
Jason Donnelly

Cream cheese, browned butter, and any type of canned frosting will complement these traditional pumpkin bars. Don't love pumpkin? You can sub in a jar of applesauce, and voila, applesauce bars.

09 of 14

Sour Cream Pumpkin Bars

Sour Cream Pumpkin Bars
Blaine Moats

Did someone say browned butter? A four-ingredient frosting made with that liquid gold takes these pumpkin bars over the top. The cake layer holds its own, staying remarkably moist and decadent thanks to a dollop of sour cream in the batter.

10 of 14

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bars with Chocolate Chips

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bars with Chocolate Chips
Matthew Clark

Transform a can of pumpkin and a handful of other pantry staples into a gluten-free snack. These pumpkin chocolate chip bars are perfect for anyone who wants to whip up a delicious treat in a flash. Ready for the oven after just 10 minutes of prep time, these easy pumpkin bars will become a recipe you turn to again and again.

11 of 14

Carrot-Pumpkin Bars

Carrot-Pumpkin Bars
Jason Donnelly

These healthyish pumpkin bars have a secret: They're hiding a serving of beta-carotine-rich carrots! (Don't worry—the kids will never know, since the pumpkin disguises carrots' orange hue.) A dusting of powdered sugar is all these tasty bars need to taste plenty sweet, and you can even use a sugar substitute in the batter to cut calories.

12 of 14

Pumpkin-Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Pumpkin-Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
Blaine Moats

Pumpkin. Chocolate. Cheesecake. Need we say more? This mouthwatering fall dessert starts with a classic graham cracker crust (simply swap in gluten-free crackers if you're avoiding wheat). Layers of chocolate, pumpkin cheesecake, and sweetened sour cream combine to make the ultimate autumn treat. The hardest part is waiting for them to chill.

13 of 14

Nutty-Caramel Pumpkin Bars

Nutty-Caramel Pumpkin Bars
Jason Donnelly

Like a little crunch in your dessert? Chopped pecans pair with caramel sauce in these simple pumpkin bars (which pair fantastically with a cup of coffee, may we add). A drizzle of browned butter frosting makes them even more tempting—but if you need to make them even faster, canned frosting will do the trick, too.

14 of 14

Pumpkin Swirl Blondies

Pumpkin Swirl Blondies
Andy Lyons

Can't decide between blondies or pumpkin bars? Why not combine the two! This gooey pumpkin bar mashup recipe here to save the day and satisfy your sweet tooth. Toffee bits, cinnamon, brown sugar, butter—what's not to love?

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