Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl
These pumpkin bars with cream cheese swirl are a comforting treat that combines moist pumpkin and a creamy, tangy swirl for a delightful dessert any time of year.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 3 pieces eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for cream cheese swirl)
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
Preparation
- Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing it to hang over the sides for easy removal later.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until fully mixed.
- In another bowl, whisk the pumpkin puree, eggs, and vegetable oil until smooth and well combined. Ensure there are no lumps.
- Gently mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined, be careful not to overmix.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Gradually mix in the egg and milk until fully incorporated.
Baking
- Spread the pumpkin batter evenly into the prepared pan. Drizzle the cream cheese mixture over the top and gently swirl using a knife to create a marbled effect.
- Bake in a preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, approximately 30 minutes.
Cooling and Serving
- Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack completely before cutting them into squares. Use the overhanging parchment paper to lift the bars out for clean cuts.
Notes
For extra flavor, add more cinnamon or nutmeg. Ensure cream cheese is well softened to avoid lumps. Refrigerate or freeze for longer storage, allowing to come to room temperature before serving.