Flavorful pumpkin cake bars with a cheesecake topping. A dessert that is sweet, tangy, and spiced. Perfect for fall with a hint of cozy!
Prep:
30
minutes
Cook:
30
minutes
TOtal:
60
minutes
Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted (226g)
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed (145g)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (250g)
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Cheesecake Topping
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar (67g)
- 1 tablespoon flour (8g)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 block of cream cheese (226g)
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon milk
Cake
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Prepare a 9 x 13-inch pan by lining entirely with parchment paper. The parchment paper should be slightly higher than the edge of the pan. Set aside.
- Mix dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt) in a medium bowl. Set aside
- In a separate bowl add melted butter and sugars. Whisk together until combined.
- Mix in pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Add all the dry ingredients at once to the pumpkin mixture. Mix until just combined and streaks of flour are no longer visible. Do not overmix.
- Pour cake batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Set the baking pan aside while you make the top layer.
Cheesecake Topping
- In a small bowl mix together sugar, flour, and cinnamon.
- Using a mixer, mix the cream cheese until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the sugar mixture to the cream cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl and add the egg. Beat until just combined.
- Gradually mix in milk until combined. Don’t overmix.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake batter in the baking pan. Spread mixture to entirely cover the cake batter.
- Using a knife, spoon, or spatula randomly swirl some of the cheesecake layer and cake batter together. You do not want to mix the layers together completely.
- Bake cake for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Makes 25 small cake squares.