Description
These Pumpkin Roll Bars are a delightful fall treat featuring a spiced pumpkin cake base layered with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese filling and topped with a swirl of pumpkin batter. Perfect for dessert or an autumn snack, they combine warm spices and moist texture in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pumpkin Cake 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 a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Make Pumpkin Batter: In a large bowl, beat the melted butter and 1 ½ cups sugar together until the mixture is fluffy. Add in eggs, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, and water, mixing thoroughly to combine.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet pumpkin mixture, stirring until all ingredients are incorporated and a smooth batter forms.
- Layer Batter: Spread two-thirds of the pumpkin batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Prepare Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 egg until smooth and creamy without lumps.
- Add Cream Cheese Layer: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the pumpkin batter layer in the pan.
- Top with Remaining Batter: Dollop spoonfuls of the remaining pumpkin batter over the cream cheese layer. Use a knife to gently swirl the batter to create 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 and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into bars for serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother filling.
- You can line the pan with parchment paper with overhang on the sides to lift the bars out easily after baking.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese with a vegan alternative.
- These bars are perfect for fall gatherings, potlucks, or as a seasonal dessert treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Pumpkin Roll Bars, pumpkin dessert, cream cheese bars, fall dessert, spiced pumpkin bars, creamy pumpkin bars
