This recipe for Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars makes a delicious, flavor-packed dessert. The unadorned pumpkin bars are terrific on their own, but top them with cream cheese frosting and they’re irresistible!
Many people associate pumpkin recipes with the holiday season. But, the availability of canned pumpkin means you can enjoy baking with it at any time.
Recently, I was looking for a new way to use canned pumpkin and discovered Show Me the Yummy’s recipe for Easy Pumpkin Bars. I knew I could make a few adjustments and create a gluten free version of the recipe.
Can You Use Pumpkin Pie Filling instead of Pumpkin Puree?
Pumpkin pie filling contains sugar and spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Substituting it for pumpkin puree would require making adjustments to the amount of sugar and spices in the recipe.
Canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree contains only pumpkin with no added sugar or spices. Using pumpkin puree allows you to control the amount of sugar and spices in the recipe, so canned pumpkin is my choice for these pumpkin bars.
These bars are thick, cake-like, and full of pumpkin flavor. The cream cheese frosting adds just the right amount of sweetness to these delicious bars. If you enjoy cream cheese frosting, but pumpkin isn’t your thing, try my gluten free banana cake recipe instead.
(This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.)How to Make Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and greasing the sides and bottom of a 9” x 13” baking pan.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, sugars, oil, and pumpkin until combined (photo 1).
Using a wooden spoon, stir in the gluten free flour blend, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices until combined (photo 2).
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Using a rubber spatula or table knife spread the batter evenly around the pan (photo 3).
Bake for 35-45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the middle of the bars comes out clean.
Remove the pumpkin bars from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting
Place the cream cheese and butter in a medium mixing bowl. Make sure the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature. It’s easier to combine the ingredients when they’re both at room temperature. Using an electric hand mixer, beat the mixture until combined.
Add the milk and vanilla to the butter mixture and beat until combined. Then add the powdered sugar, a cup at a time, and beat until completely incorporated and the frosting is creamy.
Use an off-set spatula or table knife to spread the frosting on top of the cooled pumpkin bars.
Baker’s Tips
- Check the ingredients of your gluten free flour blend for xanthan gum. If your flour mix doesn’t contain it, try adding ½ teaspoon to the recipe. I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour which contains xanthan gum.
- Use a 9” x 13” baking pan with straight sides, instead of rounded sides, to give the bars a clean, crisp edge.
- Wait for the bars to cool completely before adding the frosting. The cream cheese frosting will set up better on bars that are completely cooled.
If you’re looking for an easy dessert, packed with pumpkin flavor, give these Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars a try! They’re sure to become a new family favorite. Happy Baking!
More Gluten Free Pumpkin Recipes
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies
- Easy Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins
- Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts
Find more gluten free dessert recipes in the Recipe Index
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Gluten Free Pumpkin Bars
Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Bars:
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup canola oil
- 1 29 ounce can pumpkin puree
- 2 cups gluten free flour blend
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
For the Pumpkin Bars:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease sides and bottom of a 9" x 13" baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugars, oil, and pumpkin together until combined.
- Stir in gluten free flour blend, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices until combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and use a rubber spatula to spread evenly.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
- Place pan on wire rack to cool completely.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Place the cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl. With an electric mixer, beat until completely combined.
- Beat in milk and vanilla until combined.
- Add the powdered sugar, a cup at a time, and beat until completely combined.
- Spread the frosting on top of the cooled pumpkin bars.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Check the ingredients of your gluten free flour blend for xanthan gum. If your flour mix doesn’t contain it, try adding ½ teaspoon to the recipe. I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour which contains xanthan gum.
- Use a 9” x 13” baking pan with straight sides, instead of rounded sides, to give the bars a clean, crisp edge.
- Wait for the bars to cool completely before adding the frosting. The cream cheese frosting will set up better on bars that are completely cooled.
Marney says
Connie, Can you use almond milk in lieu of regular milk? Thanks!
Flavor Walk says
Hi Marney,
Using almond milk instead of regular milk should work just fine.
Diane says
The pumpkin bars are really delicious and just the right size for your sweet tooth.
Leslie Haus says
I baked this for an hour and when I inserted the pick in the middle it was clean, but it seems very undertaker. I didn't want it to burn but it seemed fine. Didn't discover it for 24 hours. Unsure what I should do.
Leslie Haus says
I meant under baked obviously. Undertaker 🤣
Flavor Walk says
Hi Leslie,
I would expect the bars to be done after baking for an hour at 350 degrees. The texture should be very dense and moist, not cake-like.
Linnea Collins says
Can I get good results by halving the recipe? Also do you suggest any high altitude adjustments?
Flavor Walk says
Hi Linnea,
I haven't tried halving the recipe. If you try it, please share your results. You might try searching "high altitude baking tips" on Google. I bake at sea level and am not experienced at high altitude baking.
Rebecca C says
I just halved this recipe, and it’s fantastic! Thanks so much for this lovely recipe!
Flavor Walk says
Hi Rebecca,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe.
Donna A. says
Has anyone substituted 3 flax seed eggs for 3 eggs?
Flavor Walk says
Hi Donna,
I haven't tried using flax seed eggs. I'd love to hear how the bars turn out if you do.
Carol says
I made these pumpkin bars (followed the recipe exactly) for a casual get-together with my girlfriends- one of whom is gluten intolerant. They were delicious!!
Flavor Walk says
Hi Carol,
I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the pumpkin bars. Thanks for taking time to leave a comment.
Carol says
hi! me again! i forgot to leave you five stars!
Flavor Walk says
Hi Carol,
Thank you for the 5-star review. It made my day.
Suzanne says
This looks so good! Do you use this frosting with any other recipes?
Flavor Walk says
Hi Suzanne,
I use a similar cream cheese frosting recipe with my banana cake, spice cake, and pumpkin cookies.
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Do they keep long?
Flavor Walk says
Hi Vanessa,
The bars will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.