Unbelievably simple and utterly delicious, these **2-ingredient pumpkin bars with cake mix** are truly the ultimate cake mix hack for any baking enthusiast. This recipe transforms a basic box of cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree into a moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy dessert. Perfect for the crisp days of autumn and throughout the holiday season, these bars offer a delightful taste of fall without the fuss. Whether you choose to crown them with a luscious cream cheese frosting or enjoy them plain, they are a budget-friendly treat that will quickly become a family favorite. For an extra touch of indulgence, consider folding in white chocolate chips or chopped nuts into the batter.
These **easy pumpkin bars** are a delightful spin on our beloved 2-ingredient pumpkin muffins. The core concept remains the same: just two essential ingredients combine to create a miraculously moist and flavorful base. While the recipe is fantastic on its own, the addition of a rich frosting elevates it to an irresistible dessert. We’ve experimented with various mix-ins to enhance the flavor and texture, but even without them, these bars, especially with a dollop of frosting, are a quick and satisfying treat everyone adores.
Unlock Effortless Baking with Cake Mix Pumpkin Bars
Our kitchen is a big proponent of cake mix recipes, and for good reason! A simple box of cake mix is far more versatile than most people realize. If your experience with cake mix is limited to birthday cakes or cupcakes, you’re missing out on a world of easy baking possibilities. These pumpkin bars are an excellent starting point, demonstrating just how magical this pantry staple can be. Once you’ve mastered these, you’ll be inspired to explore other creative ways to use cake mix, including several other delightful **pumpkin puree** recipes we’ll share below.
The topping for these bars offers endless customization. You can opt for a convenient store-bought tub of frosting, whip up a simple glaze with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, or try our fan-favorite Cream Cheese Frosting Without Butter, which pairs wonderfully with a touch of Cool Whip for an extra light and fluffy texture. Adding a pinch of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon to your frosting enhances the autumnal flavors, creating a truly harmonious dessert. We’ll also provide guidance on how to adjust the recipe to make your 2-ingredient pumpkin cake thin or thick, catering to your personal preference for bar texture.
The Perfect Pairing: Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Let’s delve into the crucial choice of cake mix. A trip down the baking aisle reveals an abundance of options. For this recipe, a spice cake mix is ideal, as it already contains the warm, aromatic spices characteristic of fall. This means less work for you and perfectly seasoned bars right out of the box, similar to how we use it in our Cake Mix Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake. The pre-blended spices ensure a consistent and delightful flavor profile that screams autumn.
However, if a spice cake mix isn’t available or is more expensive, a yellow or white cake mix makes a perfectly acceptable substitute. Do keep in mind that using these flavors will result in a milder pumpkin bar, as they lack the inherent spices. To compensate, we highly recommend adding your own blend of pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and perhaps a dash of nutmeg. You can even make your own spice blend for an extra fresh touch. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. All you truly need for the base are:
Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor
- 1 box of cake mix: A spice cake mix is highly recommended for its built-in fall flavors. However, any flavor like yellow or white can be used, with additional spices.
- 1 can (15 oz) of pumpkin puree: Ensure it’s 100% pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Frosting (optional, but highly recommended): A classic cream cheese frosting or a simple powdered sugar glaze perfectly complements the moist pumpkin bars.
Choosing the Right Pan Size for Your Cake Mix Bars
While canned pumpkin puree is convenient, you can certainly make homemade pumpkin puree if you prefer a more from-scratch approach. For the beautifully presented bars you see in our images, we typically use a standard 9×13 inch baking pan. This size yields bars of moderate thickness, perfect for easy handling and serving. If you desire thicker, more substantial bars, an 8×8 inch pan is an excellent choice. Keep in mind that a smaller, deeper pan will require a slightly longer baking time to ensure they cook through evenly.
Understanding the Difference: Pumpkin Pie Mix vs. Pumpkin Puree
This is a critical distinction that can make or break your pumpkin bars. No, pumpkin pie mix and pumpkin puree are NOT the same thing. **Pumpkin puree** is simply cooked, mashed, and strained pumpkin – 100% pure pumpkin with no added ingredients. It has a natural, subtly sweet flavor and a smooth, thick consistency. **Pumpkin pie mix**, on the other hand, is a pre-seasoned product designed specifically for making pumpkin pies. It contains added spices (like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves), sugar, and sometimes other ingredients, which will significantly alter the flavor and texture of your bars. For this recipe, always opt for 100% pure pumpkin puree to ensure the correct consistency and flavor balance.
These easy pumpkin bars provide a fantastic solution to the common question: **”What can be done with pumpkin?”** If you have a can of pumpkin puree nearing its expiration date from last year’s holiday baking, this is the perfect way to use it up deliciously! The most crucial tip for this recipe, as with our Libby’s pumpkin muffins, is to meticulously monitor the baking time. Overbaking can lead to dry, crumbly bars, and we want them to be wonderfully moist. Start checking for doneness around the 20-minute mark by inserting a toothpick into the center of the bars. If it comes out with wet batter attached, continue baking for another 2 minutes and recheck. A few moist crumbs clinging to the toothpick are perfectly acceptable and indicate a perfectly baked, tender bar. Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before applying any frosting. Attempting to frost warm bars will result in a melted, sliding mess, so patience is key for that perfect finish.
Simple Steps to Your Best Pumpkin Bars Recipe
This streamlined recipe makes baking incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for consistently delightful results:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix and pumpkin puree. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or spraying it generously with nonstick cooking spray. This ensures easy removal of your finished bars. Spread the pumpkin batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for approximately 20-22 minutes. The bars are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Do not overbake to maintain a tender texture.
- While the pumpkin bars cool, prepare your frosting. In a bowl, mix one tub of cream cheese frosting with 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy, incorporating the warm spices.
- Once the pumpkin bars have cooled completely, spread the spiced cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Then, slice the frosted cake into individual bars. Serve and ENJOY!
This 9×13 inch pan size is also ideal for recipes like our pumpkin pudding cake. However, for those who prefer a thicker, more substantial bar, you can use an 8×8 inch baking pan. When using the smaller pan, ensure it’s lined with parchment paper or sprayed with non-stick spray, and increase the baking time to approximately 25 minutes, still checking for doneness with a toothpick.
Customizing Your Pumpkin Bars: With or Without Frosting
While cream cheese frosting is a classic accompaniment, these **pumpkin bars are equally delightful without frosting**. If you choose to omit the topping, consider adding flavorful mix-ins directly into the batter to enhance the overall experience. White chocolate chips, as we’ve done with our Cake Mix Pumpkin Blondies, introduce a creamy burst of sweetness that complements the pumpkin beautifully. Alternatively, a handful of crushed walnuts or pecans can provide a satisfying crunch and nutty depth. For a simple yet elegant bar, simply leave them plain – their inherent pumpkin flavor is fantastic on its own. The decision to frost or not is entirely up to your preference and dietary considerations.
Similarly, for our Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Cake Mix, a topping isn’t strictly necessary, but it’s often an anticipated flourish in many households. Regardless of your choice, proper storage is crucial for any leftovers to keep them moist and fresh. After falling in love with these bars, grab another box of that versatile spiced cake mix and embark on your next baking adventure: delightful cake mix pumpkin donuts!
If your pumpkin bars are unfrosted, they can be stored wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil on the countertop for up to 3 days. However, if you’ve prepared **pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting**, refrigeration is essential due to the dairy content of the frosting. Always wrap them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for the same duration.
Yes, if your pumpkin bars are topped with frosting, especially cream cheese frosting, they absolutely need to be refrigerated. Store them in a well-sealed container to prevent them from drying out or absorbing other food odors. If the bars are left plain without frosting, they can be stored at room temperature for a few days. However, many find that both frosted and unfrosted pumpkin bars taste even better when chilled, offering a denser, more refreshing texture.
Pumpkin Bars with Cake Mix
Justine
10 minutes
20 minutes
24 bars
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Equipment
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1 9×13 inch pan
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1 Large Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 box spice cake mix
- 1 can pumpkin puree, 15 oz.
- 1 tub cream cheese frosting
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon (for frosting)
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, thoroughly mix together the box of cake mix and the pumpkin puree until the batter is smooth and lump-free. Spread this pumpkin mixture evenly into your prepared 9×13 inch baking pan (ensure it’s lined with parchment paper or sprayed with nonstick cooking spray).
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Bake for approximately 20-22 minutes. The bars are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. While the bars are cooling completely, prepare your frosting. In a separate bowl, combine one tub of cream cheese frosting with 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. Beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
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Once the pumpkin bars are completely cooled, spread the spiced cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Then, slice the frosted cake into desired bar sizes. Enjoy your delicious and easy pumpkin bars!
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**Pro Tip: For thicker, more substantial bars, you can use an 8×8 inch pan instead of a 9×13. Line it with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray, and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Video
Watch our video tutorial for a visual guide to making these amazing pumpkin bars!
Nutrition Information (Approximate Per Serving)
Serving: 1oz
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Calories: 79kcal
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Carbohydrates: 18g
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Protein: 1g
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Fat: 1g
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Saturated Fat: 0.3g
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Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g
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Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g
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Trans Fat: 0.05g
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Sodium: 157mg
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Potassium: 10mg
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Fiber: 0.3g
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Sugar: 9g
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Vitamin A: 4IU
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Vitamin C: 0.004mg
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Calcium: 45mg
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Iron: 0.4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Dessert
American
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