Description
Delight in these Pumpkin Roll Bars, a luscious dessert featuring a moist pumpkin cake base layered with a creamy, spiced cream cheese filling. Swirled together and baked to perfection, these bars are perfect for fall gatherings and holiday treats.
Ingredients
Scale
Pumpkin Batter
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Make Pumpkin Batter: In a large bowl, beat the melted butter and 1 ½ cups sugar together until the mixture is fluffy. Add the eggs, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, and water, and mix well until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet pumpkin mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Layer Pumpkin Batter: Spread about two-thirds of the pumpkin batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 egg together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Cream Cheese Layer: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the pumpkin batter layer in the pan.
- Top with Remaining Batter and Swirl: Dollop the remaining pumpkin batter over the cream cheese layer in small spoonfuls. Use a knife to gently swirl the batter and filling together, creating a marbled effect.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the center springs back when lightly touched, indicating it is fully baked.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. This helps the layers set for clean, beautiful bars.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth filling.
- Swirling the batter gently helps create an attractive marbled look without mixing the layers too much.
- Cooling completely before slicing prevents the bars from crumbling.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- These bars can be served chilled or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pumpkin dessert, pumpkin bars, cream cheese swirl, fall dessert, holiday treat, pumpkin recipe
