The Ultimate Sheet Pan Libby’s Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
When autumn arrives and pumpkin season is in full swing, there’s nothing quite like the warm, spiced aroma of freshly baked pumpkin bars filling your kitchen. These Sheet Pan Libby’s Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect dessert to capture all those cozy fall flavors in one incredible treat. Whether you’re hosting a harvest party, bringing a dessert to a potluck, or simply craving something sweet and seasonal, these bars deliver every single time.
What makes these pumpkin bars so special is their perfect balance of moisture and spice, thanks to the trusted quality of Libby’s pumpkin puree. The addition of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves creates a symphony of fall flavors that dance on your taste buds. But the real showstopper is the luscious cream cheese frosting that crowns each bar – creamy, tangy, and sweet, it’s the perfect complement to the rich pumpkin base.
These bars are incredibly versatile and feed a crowd, making them ideal for large gatherings, bake sales, or meal prep for busy weekdays. The sheet pan format means you can whip up dozens of bars in one go, and they’re much easier than making individual cupcakes or layer cakes. Plus, they slice beautifully and hold their shape, making them perfect for packing in lunch boxes or serving at outdoor events.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and reliability. Using Libby’s pumpkin puree ensures consistent results every time – no worrying about the moisture content or flavor variations that can come with fresh pumpkin. The bars have a cake-like texture that’s tender and moist, with just the right amount of spice to make them taste like autumn in dessert form.
What sets these apart from other pumpkin desserts is the generous layer of cream cheese frosting. It’s not just a thin glaze or a light dusting of powdered sugar – this is a thick, creamy frosting that adds richness and balances the earthiness of the pumpkin with its slight tang. The frosting is made with real cream cheese, butter, and vanilla, creating a professional bakery-quality finish.
These bars are also incredibly forgiving for bakers of all skill levels. The batter comes together quickly in just one bowl, and there’s no need for special techniques or equipment. The sheet pan format means even baking throughout, and the bars are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. They’re sturdy enough to transport but tender enough to melt in your mouth.
Storage is another advantage of these bars. They keep well covered at room temperature for several days, and the flavors actually improve as they sit and meld together. You can also freeze them (with or without frosting) for up to three months, making them perfect for advance preparation during busy holiday seasons.
The warm spices in these bars – cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves – are classic fall flavors that pair beautifully with the natural sweetness of pumpkin. These spices not only taste incredible but also fill your home with the most amazing aroma while baking. It’s like having a pumpkin spice candle that you can actually eat!
For those who love to customize their desserts, these bars offer plenty of opportunities for variation. You can add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for extra texture, swirl in some chocolate chips for a decadent twist, or even add a layer of caramel between the bars and frosting for an extra special treat. The base recipe is so solid that it can handle these additions beautifully.
The cream cheese frosting is equally adaptable. You can add a touch of cinnamon to complement the spiced bars, incorporate some maple extract for a more complex flavor profile, or even tint it with food coloring for festive occasions. Some bakers like to pipe the frosting for a more elegant presentation, while others prefer the rustic look of spreading it with an offset spatula.
These bars are perfect for so many occasions throughout the fall season. They’re ideal for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving dessert tables, harvest festivals, or cozy family dinners. Kids and adults alike love them, making them a crowd-pleasing choice that eliminates the stress of trying to satisfy different taste preferences.
Ingredients
Pumpkin Bars
- 4 large eggs
- 1⅔ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 (15 oz) can Libby’s pumpkin puree
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan or large sheet pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together eggs, granulated sugar, oil, and pumpkin puree until well combined and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, and cloves until evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, stirring until just combined. Don’t overmix.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan, smoothing the top with an offset spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges start to pull away slightly from the sides.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting, about 1 hour.
- For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add vanilla extract and gradually beat in powdered sugar until smooth.
- Add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired spreading consistency.
- Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars using an offset spatula.
- Cut into squares and serve. Store covered at room temperature.
Sheet Pan Libby’s Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15x10x1-inch sheet pan and line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat together eggs, granulated sugar, oil, and pumpkin puree until well combined.
- In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture, stirring until just combined. Don’t overmix.
- Spread batter evenly in prepared pan, smoothing top with offset spatula.
- Bake 25-30 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add vanilla and gradually beat in powdered sugar. Add cream until desired consistency.
- Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
Pro Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Bars
The key to exceptional pumpkin bars lies in using room temperature ingredients and not overbaking. Make sure your eggs and oil are at room temperature for the smoothest batter, and check for doneness a few minutes before the recommended time to prevent dry bars. The cream cheese frosting should be made with fully softened cream cheese to avoid lumps – leave it out for at least an hour before using.
For the most professional-looking results, use an offset spatula to spread both the batter and frosting evenly. When cutting the bars, use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts for neat edges. These bars actually taste even better the next day as the flavors have time to meld together.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
These bars store beautifully covered at room temperature for up to 5 days, making them perfect for meal prep or advance party planning. For longer storage, you can freeze the unfrosted bars for up to 3 months – just thaw completely and add frosting before serving. If you want to freeze frosted bars, place them in a single layer in the freezer until the frosting is firm, then store in airtight containers with parchment between layers.
