Name: Pumpkin Bars for a Crowd – Perfect Fall & Thanksgiving Potluck Dessert
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 16 bars
Cuisine: American, Fall
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup pumpkin purée; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp ground ginger; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/4 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/8 tsp salt; 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tbsp milk

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Alright, let’s get real for a second—fall baking recipes are hands-down the best. There’s something magical about warm spices, cozy vibes, and the smell of pumpkin wafting through the kitchen. And if you’re the type who waits all year for an excuse to bust out the cinnamon and nutmeg, boy oh boy, do I have the treat for you.

Say hello to your new favorite bake: Pumpkin Bars with Brown Sugar Frosting. These bad boys are soft, slightly cakey, and topped with a thick, dreamy layer of frosting that’s just a little crunchy on top (in the best possible way). They're like the lovechild of a pumpkin cake and a sugar cookie—with serious main character energy.

Why These Bars Are a Fall MVP

First off, these pumpkin bars are the definition of easy pumpkin desserts for a crowd. You don’t need fancy tools or chef-level skills—just a bowl, a whisk, and some fall spirit. And the ingredients? Super basic. We’re talking a few ingredient pumpkin dessert that still manages to taste like a million bucks. Talk about a win-win.

Ready in under an hour, they’re perfect for when you’ve procrastinated your potluck contribution (hey, no judgment) or just need a quick cozy treat to go with your coffee. Whether it’s a work event, your kid’s school party, or Friendsgiving, these bars show up.

Oh, and did I mention they’re easy to transport? Because there’s nothing worse than wrestling with a gooey pie in the passenger seat while taking every corner at 10 mph.

Serve ‘Em Up Anywhere, Anytime

These bars are tailor-made for fall potluck recipes. They’re cute, sliceable, and won’t melt into a puddle at room temp. Move over pumpkin pie—there’s a new Thanksgiving MVP in town.

Looking for fall potluck desserts that don’t involve rolling out dough or blind-baking crusts? Boom. Here you go.

Want a simple and yummy pumpkin dessert that people will actually ask you for the recipe? Done.

Craving something autumnal in, say, July? We’re not judging. Sometimes you just need a little pumpkin spice to get through summer. FYI, they taste just as good in flip-flops.

Make It Work for You

Hosting a big crowd? Double the recipe and bake it in a 9x13 pan—just add a few extra minutes to the bake time. You’ve now got a giant slab of deliciousness, perfect as a pumpkin sheet cake for a crowd.

Wanna prep ahead? Totally do-able.

Store these bars in an airtight container at room temp for a day, or pop ‘em in the fridge for up to five. Just let them come back to room temp before serving so that brown sugar frosting hits peak creaminess.

Freezer-friendly too! Yep, you can slice ‘em up and freeze individually, or freeze the whole slab (if you somehow resist eating the entire pan first). Thaw overnight in the fridge and let them warm up a bit before serving. Boom—instant treat.

Looking to Mix It Up?

Okay, okay—these bars are amazing on their own, but if you’re feeling extra, toss in some chocolate chips, marshmallows, or even a graham cracker crumble on top to give ‘em pumpkin s’mores bars vibes. Gourmet alert.

So next time you're scrolling through Pinterest looking for fall baking recipes, don’t overthink it. These Pumpkin Bars with Brown Sugar Frosting are simple, sweet, and seriously addictive.

They’re the kind of treat that gets you invited back next year.

Bring a tray to your next potluck and just wait—someone’s going to take a bite, look at you with wide eyes, and ask, “Who made these?!”

Just smile and say, “Oh, it’s just a little something I whipped up.”

We won’t tell. 😉