Dessert

Pumpkin Roll Bars Recipe

ByOlivia Monroe November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

Introduction

Pumpkin Roll Bars combine the warm spices and rich flavors of a traditional pumpkin roll into an easy-to-make bar form. With a creamy cheesecake layer swirled through spiced pumpkin batter, these bars are perfect for autumn gatherings or cozy treats any time of year.

The image shows stacked pumpkin roll bars, each with two layers: a thick, moist, textured pumpkin layer in a warm orange color on the bottom, and a creamy, smooth white layer with swirls of light brown spread on top. The top layer features an artistic marbled pattern where the white cream mixes with the brown swirls, creating a soft, flowing design. The bars are cut into neat squares and stacked closely together, highlighting their soft and crumbly texture. The background is a white marbled texture with a blurred, light orange object adding warmth to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 ½ cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup water
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon cloves
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ cup sugar (for filling)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for filling)
1 egg (for filling)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: In a large bowl, beat the melted butter and 1 ½ cups sugar together until the mixture is fluffy. Add the eggs, pumpkin puree, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and water, mixing until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Step 4: Spread two-thirds of the pumpkin batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Step 5: In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 egg together until smooth and creamy. Spread this filling evenly over the pumpkin layer in the pan.
Step 6: Dollop the remaining pumpkin batter over the cream cheese layer. Using a knife, gently swirl the batter to create a marbled effect.
Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the center springs back lightly when touched.
Step 8: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares and serving.

Tips & Variations

For added texture, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking.
Use pumpkin pie spice instead of individual spices to simplify the recipe.
Swap the cream cheese layer for mascarpone for a slightly richer filling.

Storage

Store pumpkin roll bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let them come to room temperature or warm slightly before serving to enjoy the best texture and flavor. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

The image shows close-up views of pumpkin roll bars stacked in pairs on a white marbled surface. Each bar has two layers: a thick bottom layer of moist, crumbly pumpkin cake in warm orange color, and a creamy top layer of light cream cheese swirled with pumpkin-orange ribbons, creating a marbled effect. The bars have clean edges, and the texture of the cake is soft and slightly porous, contrasting with the smooth, velvety top layer. The background is softly blurred to keep focus on the bars, making their textures and colors stand out vividly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree?

Yes, you can use cooked and pureed fresh pumpkin, but be sure to cook it until soft and drain any excess liquid to avoid altering the batter consistency.

Is it necessary to swirl the batter on top?

Swirling the remaining batter over the cream cheese layer creates a beautiful marbled effect and combines flavors. However, it’s fine to spread it evenly if you prefer a more uniform bar.