Name: Pumpkin Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1 ½ cups granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ cup water; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground cloves; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened; ¼ cup granulated sugar; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 large egg

If you’re craving a fall dessert that’s bursting with cozy flavors and creamy goodness, you’ve just found a winner. I absolutely love how this Pumpkin Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl Recipe comes together — rich pumpkin spice meets a luscious cream cheese swirl in a way that’s just irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or a casual night in, these bars are the perfect treat to cozy up with and share.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect balance of flavors: The warm pumpkin spices blend beautifully with the tangy cream cheese swirl for that classic fall taste.
Simple and straightforward: You don’t need to be a baking pro to nail these bars — the steps are easy to follow and forgiving.
Versatile dessert: Great for potlucks, holiday parties, or an everyday sweet moment that feels special.
Make ahead friendly: These bars keep well and even improve in flavor after resting a day or two.

The image shows nine square pieces of cake arranged closely with one piece slightly lifted, revealing a thick two-layer inside; the bottom layer is light brown with a soft, porous texture, and the top layer has a creamy white swirl mixed with light brown on a golden-brown baked surface. The cake pieces have swirling patterns on the top that look smooth and glossy, with light cream hues blending into darker brown. A small orange pumpkin is partially visible on the white marbled surface around the cake. The whole scene is well lit, showcasing the cake’s soft and tender texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Pumpkin Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl, pumpkin spice bars, fall dessert recipes, pumpkin cream cheese bars, easy pumpkin dessert

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Pumpkin Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl Recipe lies in simple ingredients you probably already have. Each component plays its part to create that soft, moist pumpkin base with a silky cream cheese contrast that melts in your mouth.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of melted unsalted butter, a heap of granulated sugar on a white ceramic plate, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant orange pumpkin puree, a small white ceramic bowl with clear water, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a white ceramic plate with a neat pile of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of ground nutmeg, a small white ceramic bowl of ground ginger, a small white ceramic bowl with baking soda, a small white ceramic bowl with baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, a white ceramic plate showing a block of cream cheese in soft texture, arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Pumpkin Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl, pumpkin spice bars, fall dessert recipes, pumpkin cream cheese bars, easy pumpkin dessert

Unsalted butter: Melting the butter adds richness and moisture to the pumpkin batter, so don’t skip this step.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the pumpkin layer and the cream cheese filling, balancing flavors without overpowering the spices.
Eggs: They provide structure and help everything come together smoothly—make sure they’re at room temperature for best results.
Pumpkin puree: Use pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) for that authentic, smooth texture and flavor straight from the can.
Vanilla extract: Just a splash enhances both the pumpkin and cream cheese layers, bringing out the warmth in the spices.
Water: Adds just enough moisture to keep the pumpkin batter soft but not soggy.
All-purpose flour: The base that holds everything together; be sure to measure it correctly for perfect texture.
Ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger: This spice quartet is what makes pumpkin desserts sing, so don’t skimp here!
Baking soda and baking powder: Helps the bars rise and keeps them light, so you get the perfect tender crumb.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors — just a pinch goes a long way.
Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese is the star of the swirl filling, giving that tangy, creamy counterpoint.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love to play around with this Pumpkin Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl Recipe depending on the occasion or who I’m baking for. It’s super easy to tweak, so don’t be shy to try your own spin!

Make it gluten-free: I swapped in a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend once and the texture was still wonderfully soft and tender—perfect for guests with dietary needs.
Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts add a delightful crunch; my family goes crazy for that extra texture contrast!
Spice it up: If you like it a bit bolder, I sometimes sprinkle in a pinch of ground cardamom or extra cinnamon to deepen that warm pumpkin flavor.
Top with glaze: A simple drizzle of maple glaze or powdered sugar frosting takes these bars from everyday to extra special in a snap.

How to Make Pumpkin Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. I like to spray my 13×9 inch pan well with non-stick cooking spray to ensure the bars come out easily, but lining it with parchment paper also works great—especially if you want to lift the whole batch out for cutting.

Step 2: Whip Up the Pumpkin Batter

Beat the melted butter with granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is fluffy and pale—about 2-3 minutes. This partly aerates your batter for a lighter, tender bar. Then add eggs, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, and water. Don’t rush—scrape the sides well to get an even mix before moving on.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix to your pumpkin batter. Mix just until everything is combined—you don’t want to overwork it or your bars will get tough.

Step 4: Layer Pumpkin Batter and Cream Cheese Filling

Spread about two-thirds of the pumpkin batter evenly in the prepared pan. Then, beat together softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg until silky smooth. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the pumpkin layer carefully so it’s even. Finally, dollop the remaining pumpkin batter on top in spoonfuls.

Step 5: Create the Signature Swirl

This is the fun part — grab a butter knife and gently swirl the cream cheese filling and the top pumpkin batter together. Don’t go overboard, you want distinct swirls that look beautiful and taste amazing after baking.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the center bounces back with a gentle press—this tells me it’s perfectly set and deliciously moist. Cooling is key here. I usually let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing — that helps the layers firm up and the swirls look clean when cut.

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Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl Recipe

Softening cream cheese: Let your cream cheese sit out for at least 30 minutes or microwave in short bursts to avoid lumps in the filling.
Don’t overmix: Overworking the batter makes the bars dense, so mix until just combined for the fluffiest result.
Swirling technique: Use a gentle hand with the knife and swirl in a figure-eight or circular motion to create pretty marbled patterns.
Cooling patience: It’s tempting to dive in hot, but waiting till fully cool helps bars slice cleaner without crumbling.

How to Serve Pumpkin Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a square slice of cake being lifted by a spatula above a white marbled surface. The cake has two main layers: a dense, moist brown layer with a soft texture on the bottom and a lighter cream-colored swirled layer on top, which appears slightly glossy and smooth. Several more square slices of the same cake, each showing the two layers, are arranged on a piece of white parchment paper below the lifted slice. In the blurred background, there are a few small orange pumpkins, adding a warm, autumn feel to the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Pumpkin Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl, pumpkin spice bars, fall dessert recipes, pumpkin cream cheese bars, easy pumpkin dessert

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a light dusting of powdered sugar—that pretty white contrast makes the cream cheese swirl pop visually. For extra flair, a drizzle of melted white chocolate or a sprinkle of toasted pecans adds a beautiful touch and some crunch that my family loves.

Side Dishes

These bars are a perfect companion to a warm cup of chai tea or spiced coffee. If you’re serving at a brunch or dessert table, I like to pair them with fresh apples or a small bowl of whipped cream for dipping — delightful sweetness combos!

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I’ve served these bars cut into mini squares with little decorative picks—instant crowd-pleasers! You could also arrange them on a rustic wooden board with a sprinkle of cinnamon sticks and mini pumpkins for a festive fall display that’s sure to wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store my leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge—these bars keep fresh and moist for up to 4 days. Just be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Freezing

Freezing these bars works beautifully! I wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When I’m ready, I thaw them in the fridge overnight—the cream cheese swirl stays wonderfully creamy even after freezing.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop a bar in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds just until warm but not hot. This brings out the softness and melty cream cheese without drying them out—perfect to enjoy any time.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree in this recipe?

It’s best to use pure pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling, as the latter already contains added spices and sugars that can throw off the balance of flavors in the bars.
How can I tell when the bars are fully baked?

Look for a top that springs back gently when pressed, and an inserted toothpick should come out with just a few moist crumbs but not wet batter. This indicates your bars are baked perfectly moist and tender.
Can I make the cream cheese filling dairy-free?

Yes! You can substitute with a dairy-free cream cheese alternative that whips up similarly. Just ensure it’s softened and mix well to maintain the creamy texture.
What’s the best way to slice the bars without ruining the swirl?

Use a sharp knife and slice with a gentle sawing motion once the bars have fully cooled. Chilling the bars beforehand makes cutting cleaner and helps preserve the beautiful cream cheese swirl pattern.
How long do these Pumpkin Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl Recipe keep?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they stay fresh for up to four days. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option for up to 3 months.

Final Thoughts

This Pumpkin Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Swirl Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen during fall — it’s one of those desserts that feels like a warm hug on a cool day. I love how simple ingredients come together to create those rich, comforting layers everyone always asks for seconds of. Honestly, baking these bars feels like sharing a little slice of autumn with family and friends. Give it a try, and I’m sure you’ll love having these bars ready as much as I do!