When autumn arrives, there’s nothing better than enjoying the warm flavors of pumpkin, spices, and creamy goodness. These pumpkin cream cheese swirl bars are a perfect dessert for fall—moist, lightly spiced, and just the right amount of sweetness. Best of all, no frosting is needed—just bake, cool, and serve!
Want to elevate them even further? You can add semi-sweet chocolate chips for a rich contrast to the tangy cream cheese.
If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice on hand, simply mix 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger. That’s all you need!
These bars are an excellent choice for a cozy afternoon snack or as a dessert for your Thanksgiving feast.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bars
Cream Cheese Filling
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8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
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1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
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1 egg
Pumpkin Batter
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1 cup (240 g) canned pumpkin purée
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1 cup (200 g) sugar
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1 egg
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1/3 cup (80 ml) vegetable oil
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1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (see note above for substitution)
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 cup (60 g) chopped pecans
How to Make Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bars
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
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In a mixing bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and egg. Use a hand mixer to blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
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In a separate medium bowl, combine the pumpkin purée, sugar, egg, and vegetable oil. Mix well.
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Stir in the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until fully incorporated.
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Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
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Drizzle the cream cheese mixture over the batter. Use a knife or spatula to swirl it in a marbled pattern. For best results, drag the knife in one direction first, then go in the opposite direction to create an even swirl effect. Be careful not to scrape the bottom of the pan.
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Sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly over the top.
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Bake for 25-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares.
Makes 18 bars.
These pumpkin cream cheese swirl bars are an easy yet impressive dessert that captures the essence of fall baking. The combination of pumpkin spice, creamy filling, and crunchy pecans makes every bite irresistible. Whether you’re serving them at a holiday gathering or enjoying them with a cup of coffee on a crisp autumn afternoon, they’re sure to be a hit.
Try them today and savor the taste of the season! 🍂🎃
