Pumpkin Spice Latte Bars
Soft and supremely moist pumpkin cake bars topped with a delicious latte cream cheese frosting!
Ingredients
Bars:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ¾ cup buttermilk
Frosting:
- 1 ½ teaspoon instant espresso
- 1 ½ teaspoon hot water
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup salted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Make the Bars:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt; set aside.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and both sugars together until combined. Add in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla. Mix on high until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the pumpkin puree and lemon juice.
- With mixer on low, alternate adding the dry ingredients with the buttermilk until just combined. Do not overmix. Pour the batter into the pan, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with few crumbs attached. Allow to cool completely.
Make the Frosting:
- Combine the espresso powder and hot water in a small bowl; set aside to cool. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until creamy. Add the powdered sugar and continue mixing. Add the espresso liquid and stir until combined.
- Spread frosting on top of the bars. Slice into squares and enjoy!