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The Ultimate Fall Dessert: Perfect Pumpkin Bars or Cake with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

As autumn leaves begin to fall and a crisp coolness fills the air, there’s nothing quite as comforting and delightful as the aroma of freshly baked pumpkin. This season brings an undeniable craving for classic fall desserts, and at the top of that list for many is a rich pumpkin treat, especially when it’s crowned with a luscious cream cheese frosting. This versatile recipe offers you the best of both worlds: decadent pumpkin bars, perfect for sharing, or an exquisite pumpkin cake, ideal for a more formal dessert. Whichever you choose, this recipe promises to deliver an unforgettable taste of fall, hitting all the right notes with its moist texture and warm, inviting spices.

This exceptional recipe is designed for flexibility, allowing you to create either tender pumpkin bars or a beautifully moist pumpkin cake. The decision often comes down to your serving preferences and the occasion. For convenient, portioned treats, a 13×18 inch jelly roll pan will yield delightful bars. If you prefer a thicker, more substantial dessert perfect for slicing, a 9×13 inch baking dish will produce a magnificent cake. Rest assured, the core flavor and irresistible appeal remain consistent, making this a truly winning recipe in any form.

Crafting a Moist and Flavorful Pumpkin Cake

When prepared as a cake, this recipe truly shines, resulting in an incredibly moist, tender, and buttery dessert that’s hard to resist. The deeper baking dish allows the cake to rise more, creating a wonderfully soft crumb that soaks up all the delicious flavors. It’s an ideal choice for family gatherings, special occasions, or simply when you desire a substantial slice of autumnal goodness.

• All ingredient quantities and measurements remain precisely the same, ensuring consistent flavor.
• Bake in a standard 9×13 inch baking dish, which encourages a thicker, more cake-like consistency.
• The baking time will be approximately 35 minutes, or until the cake is set, springs back when lightly touched, and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. For precision, the internal temperature should register between 200 and 210 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Apply the same amount of frosting, spreading it a little thicker to complement the cake’s height and richness.
• Depending on how generously you slice it, this cake can yield anywhere from 12 to 24 servings, making it perfect for various crowd sizes.
• You’ll notice the cake form tends to be even more moist and luscious due to the extended baking time in a deeper pan.

Opting for the cake format means a dessert that feels more indulgent, perfect for serving with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of toasted pecans. The structural integrity of the cake also makes it a beautiful centerpiece on any dessert table.

Delightful and Shareable Pumpkin Bars

Pumpkin bars offer a fantastic alternative to enjoy this recipe, providing a flatter, denser treat reminiscent of a sheet cake. These bars are incredibly convenient for potlucks, bake sales, or packing into lunchboxes. Their uniform size makes them easy to cut and serve, ensuring everyone gets a perfect bite of fall flavor.

• Utilize the exact same ingredient quantities and measurements as for the cake version.
• Bake in a 13×18 inch jelly roll pan. This larger, shallower pan is key to achieving the characteristic bar shape and texture.
• Bake for a shorter duration, typically 25 to 30 minutes, due to the thinner batter layer.
• Spread the same amount of frosting, allowing it to cover more surface area with a slightly thinner application.
• This format is excellent for feeding a crowd, yielding approximately 24 servings of perfectly portioned bars.

Whether you lean towards the lofty elegance of the cake or the convenient charm of the bars, this pumpkin recipe consistently delivers. Its moist, tender crumb is a hallmark of quality baking, and the warm, inviting spices of cinnamon and nutmeg instantly evoke the spirit of autumn. Each bite is a delightful celebration of the season, and it’s all perfectly complemented by the star of the show: the rich, nutty browned butter cream cheese frosting!

The Irresistible Allure of Browned Butter Frosting

My culinary journey has recently taken a delightful detour into the world of browned butter, and I must confess, I’m utterly smitten. This simple technique has the power to elevate the flavor profile of a dish by leaps and bounds, infusing it with a rich, nutty, and subtly caramelized essence that is simply unparalleled. When incorporated into a cream cheese frosting, it transforms a classic into a gourmet experience. The browned butter adds incredible depth and fragrance, making every bite of this pumpkin dessert even more extraordinary. While browning the butter is an extra step, it’s one I wholeheartedly recommend if you have a few extra minutes. However, even without this step, the cream cheese frosting is undeniably delicious and will beautifully complement your pumpkin creation.

Mastering the Art of Browning Butter

Creating browned butter, often referred to as ‘beurre noisette’ by French chefs, is a surprisingly simple yet incredibly rewarding process. It’s a fundamental technique that adds a gourmet touch to countless recipes. Here’s how to achieve that perfect golden-brown goodness:

1. Begin by adding your butter to a light-colored saucepan. A light-colored pan allows you to clearly see the butter’s color change, which is crucial for preventing it from burning.
2. Place the saucepan over medium to medium-high heat. The key is to melt the butter slowly and then continue cooking it.
3. As the butter melts, it will begin to foam. Stir occasionally with a heat-resistant spatula or whisk to ensure even cooking and prevent solids from sticking to the bottom.
4. Continue to cook, and after the initial foam subsides slightly, you’ll notice small, amber-colored flecks forming at the bottom of the pan. The liquid underneath the foam will also start to turn a beautiful golden-brown. This is where the magic happens!
5. Once you observe these lovely brown flecks and the butter takes on a nutty aroma, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. The residual heat will continue to cook the butter, so taking it off the heat promptly is essential to prevent burning.
6. Transfer the browned butter, including all the delicious brown bits, to a heat-proof bowl and let it cool completely to room temperature before incorporating it into your frosting. This cooling step is vital for the frosting’s texture.

The resulting browned butter will impart a deep, complex flavor that elevates the entire frosting, making it truly unforgettable. It’s a small effort for a huge flavor payoff!

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A post shared by Amber (@amberskitchen)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amber (@amberskitchen)

Pumpkin Bars / Cake Recipe

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 25-30 min (bars) / 35 min (cake)
Total Time: Approx. 50-65 min
Servings: about 24 servings (bars) / 12-24 servings (cake)

Indulge in this truly delightful fall dessert featuring a wonderfully moist pumpkin base and a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting – enhanced with optional browned butter for an exquisite touch. This recipe is simple to follow and yields consistently fantastic results, making it a seasonal favorite!

Print Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups cooked pumpkin puree (from scratch or one 15 oz can of pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 6 oz (about 3/4 block) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened. *For superior flavor, brown this butter as per instructions above and cool completely before using.*
• 2 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar), sifted to prevent lumps
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 to 2 tablespoons whole milk (or heavy cream), adjust as needed to reach desired consistency

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your chosen baking pan: a 13×18 inch jelly roll pan for bars or a 9×13 inch baking dish for cake.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, eggs, granulated sugar, and pumpkin puree. Whisk until well combined and smooth.
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to a tough texture. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Pour the batter into your prepared greased pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C): for bars, bake for 25-30 minutes; for cake, bake for about 35 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. The cake should not jiggle when lightly shaken. Let the pumpkin base cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting. This is crucial for preventing the frosting from melting.
7. *Optional but Highly Recommended for Browned Butter Frosting:* While the pumpkin base cools, prepare the browned butter. Cook 3/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally as it melts, foams, and eventually forms delicious little brown flecks at the bottom of the pan. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Remove from heat immediately once browned and transfer to a heat-proof bowl to cool completely to room temperature. This cooled browned butter will replace the softened butter in the frosting.
8. To make the frosting, combine the softened (or cooled browned) cream cheese, softened butter (or cooled browned butter), sifted powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, light, and fluffy.
9. Gradually add 1 to 2 tablespoons of whole milk (or heavy cream) until the frosting reaches your desired spreadable consistency. Beat until perfectly smooth.
10. Once the pumpkin bars or cake is completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. For an extra touch of autumnal flair and flavor, garnish with a light sprinkle of additional cinnamon and nutmeg.

ENJOY this delightful taste of fall!

Share Your Creations!

Did you bake this wonderful pumpkin cake or these delicious pumpkin bars? We’d love to see your creations! Tag @amberskitchen on Instagram and use the hashtag #amberskitchen so we can admire your autumnal masterpieces!