Cake Mix Pumpkin Bars

Name: Cake Mix Pumpkin Bars
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 15 oz canned pumpkin; 15 oz spice cake mix; 8 oz block of cream cheese (softened); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened); 2 cups powdered sugar; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

By Joy Shull

4.34 from 103 votes

on Aug 31, 2022, Updated Apr 05, 2024

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These cake mix pumpkin bars with homemade cream cheese frosting are a delicious pumpkin spiced fall dessert!

The easiest pumpkin bars!

It’s officially time for pumpkin season! In our house that means all of the fun pumpkin spice flavored treats.

While I regularly enjoy making cake mix pumpkin muffins and cake mix pumpkin bread, I decided to try a similar recipe and make a dessert bar with homemade cream cheese frosting.

These cake mix pumpkin bars couldn’t be easier to throw together, and are topped with a simple homemade cream cheese frosting. These are a great fall treat to make when you are short on time!

cake mix pumpkin bar with cream cheese frosting

All you need is just 6 ingredients to make these easy pumpkin bars!

Ingredients to make pumpkin bars

one box of spice cake mix
one can of pumpkin puree: not pumpkin pie filling
cream cheese
unsalted butter
powdered sugar
vanilla extract

ingredients needed to make cake mix pumpkin bars

How to make Cake Mix Pumpkin Bars

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the pumpkin puree and cake mix until thoroughly combined.

The batter will look very thick at first. Just keep stirring and it will eventually mix together! I find that using a rubber spatula works best for this batter.

Step 2: Grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and spread the pumpkin batter evenly into the pan.

Bake the pumpkin bars at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

pumpkin batter spread out in a baking dish

Step 3: Remove the pumpkin bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely before frosting them. You can go ahead and make the frosting while they are cooling.

Step 4: Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the vanilla, then the powdered sugar a bit at a time, continuing to mix until the cream cheese frosting is smooth.

Step 5: Frost the cake mix pumpkin bars with the cream cheese frosting. Cover and chill the bars in the fridge until ready to serve, then slice into squares.

I find these easier to cut neatly once they have chilled in the fridge for awhile and the cream cheese frosting has hardened some.

spreading cream cheese frosting over the pumpkin bars

You can either cut these bars into 12 large ones, or 24 small ones.

For a holiday party or a kids’ school party I would suggest cutting them into smaller squares as that will still be a good serving.

9 by 13 dish of pumpkin bars topped with cream cheese frosting

These pumpkin dessert bars are melt in your mouth moist and so yummy when paired with tangy cream cheese frosting!

Just another way that we love to use a box of cake mix to make fun treats quick. Try this recipe and I guarantee you won’t be able to eat just one!

cake mix pumpkin bars cut into 12 squares

Pumpkin Bars FAQs

Can I use canned frosting?

Yes! Short on time? Skip the homemade frosting and pick up a can of cream cheese frosting in the baking aisle instead.

How do I store pumpkin bars?

Leftover cake mix pumpkin bars can be stored covered in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

We love using cake mix as a hack for making tasty baked goods in a fraction of the time! Hungry for more? Check out some of our other favorite cake mix recipes!

More Cake Mix Recipes

These perfectly moist pumpkin bars with cream cheese icing are a fall delight. Try these for pumpkin spice season!

4.34 from 103 votes