Ingredients:
For the Pumpkin Bars:
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) vegan buttermilk (prepare by mixing dairy-free milk with apple cider vinegar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to curdle)
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose or gluten-free 1:1 baking flour
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 can (425 g) pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (110 g) light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (57 g) melted vegan butter or coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 batch of vegan cream cheese frosting
For the Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Vegan cream cheese (amount as per half the usual recipe)
- Vegan butter (amount as per half the usual recipe)
- Powdered sugar (as needed, usually added 1 cup at a time)
- Dairy-free milk (optional, as needed to achieve desired consistency)
Instructions:
- Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and grease the unlined edges.
- Prepare vegan buttermilk and set aside for it to curdle.
- Batter Creation:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree, both sugars, melted vegan butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Add pumpkin spice, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt, mixing until evenly incorporated.
- Finally, gently fold in the flour and vegan buttermilk, stirring until just combined and no dry patches remain.
- Baking the Bars:
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, smoothing it out evenly.
- Bake in the oven for 27-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Once bars are cooled, whip up the vegan cream cheese frosting by beating vegan cream cheese and butter until creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well until the frosting is light and fluffy. Use dairy-free milk to adjust consistency if necessary.
- Decorating the Bars:
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars, covering them uniformly.
- If you desire a firmer frosting, chill the frosted bars in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes before slicing.
- Serving and Storage:
- Cut into squares and serve. Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Indulge in these irresistibly fluffy and moist vegan pumpkin bars that bring the essence of autumn to your table!
![](https://bestdessertrecipe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image0_0-66.jpg)