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Cozy Pumpkin Bars with Brown Butter Frosting

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These tender, spiced pumpkin bars are topped with a nutty brown butter frosting that adds warmth and depth. A simple one-bowl batter makes them easy to whip up for any fall gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease the parchment.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined (a few streaks of flour are okay).
  5. Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 22–26 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  6. Let bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then lift out using parchment overhang and cool completely.
  7. While bars cool, brown the butter: Place ½ cup unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until butter melts, foams, and turns golden with brown specks. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a heatproof bowl. Cool for 5–10 minutes.
  8. Add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the browned butter. Beat with a hand mixer on low until combined, then on medium-high for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with more milk or powdered sugar if needed.
  9. Spread frosting evenly over completely cooled bars. Let set for about 15 minutes before slicing into 24 squares.

Notes

Let bars cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. Watch the butter closely when browning—it can go from perfect to burnt in seconds. For clean slices, chill frosted bars for 30 minutes before cutting.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin bars, brown butter frosting, fall dessert, pumpkin dessert, easy pumpkin bars

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/cozy-pumpkin-bars-with-brown-butter-frosting/