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Paula Deen Pumpkin Bars

Paula Deen pumpkin bars with a spiced, tender baked bar base and a thick cream cheese frosting. Baked until just set, then cooled fully before a smooth, generous frosting layer topped with pecan halves.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 24 bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Southern American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the bars
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
For Paula Deen's cream cheese frosting
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 pecan halves for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Bake the pumpkin bars
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 15x10 jelly roll pan.
  2. Whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Beat eggs, vegetable oil, and pumpkin puree together, then fold into the dry ingredients.
  4. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
  5. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, until the bars are set.
  6. Cool completely before frosting.
Make and add the cream cheese frosting
  1. Beat cream cheese and unsalted butter until very smooth.
  2. Add vanilla extract, then gradually beat in powdered sugar until thick and smooth.
  3. Spread the frosting generously over the cooled bars.
  4. Press a pecan half onto each bar as garnish.

Notes

For the cleanest slices, let the bars cool completely (and chill 1-2 hours if your kitchen is warm) before frosting and cutting. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; freezer freeze frosting-topped bars up to 2 months, thaw in the fridge overnight. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese and butter sticks while keeping the powdered sugar amounts the same for the right frosting texture.