Name: Pumpkin Spice Gooey Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Cooking spray, for greasing; 1 box spice cake mix (about 15.25 oz); 1 large egg; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 package cream cheese (8 oz), softened; 1 cup pumpkin puree; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 box confectioners’ sugar (about 1 lb), plus more for dusting; 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

If you’re craving something that hits all those cozy fall vibes but with a fun, gooey twist, you’ve got to try my Pumpkin Spice Gooey Bars Recipe. These bars are like a warm hug on a plate—rich, soft, and bursting with that comforting pumpkin spice flavor we all adore. I remember the first time I whipped these up; my whole kitchen smelled like a little slice of autumn heaven, and my family couldn’t stop sneaking bites before dinner!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Yet Impressive: You only need one bowl for each part, making clean-up a breeze with big flavor payoff.
Perfect Pumpkin Spice Balance: Just the right touch of pumpkin pie spice to keep things cozy without overpowering.
Texture Game Strong: Gooey, soft center with a slightly firmer crust — exactly what gooey bars should be.
Versatile for Any Occasion: Great for fall parties, potlucks, or just as an everyday treat to brighten your day.

This image shows a pile of square pumpkin bars, each with two layers: a moist, bright orange pumpkin top layer and a denser, light brown cookie-like bottom layer. The pumpkin layer looks soft and slightly textured, while the bottom layer is crumbly and firm. The bars are dusted generously with white powdered sugar on top, giving a snowy effect. The bars are placed on thin white sheets on a flat surface with a white marbled texture in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Pumpkin Spice Gooey Bars, pumpkin spice dessert, fall bar recipes, easy pumpkin bars, gooey fall treats

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Pumpkin Spice Gooey Bars Recipe has an important role to play, coming together to create that gooey, luscious texture with all the fall flavors you want. I always recommend using quality ingredients—especially the pumpkin puree and cream cheese—to get that perfect taste and consistency.

Flat lay of a small mound of golden pumpkin puree, two large brown eggs with smooth uncracked shells, a single large white egg with an uncracked shell, a small white ceramic bowl filled with melted unsalted butter glistening softly, a small white ceramic bowl holding creamy white softened cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl with fine white confectioners’ sugar, a small white ceramic bowl containing warm brown pumpkin pie spice powder, a neat pile of light brown spice cake mix flour, and a small white ceramic bowl with clear pure vanilla extract liquid, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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 Spice Gooey Bars, pumpkin spice dessert, fall bar recipes, easy pumpkin bars, gooey fall treats

Cooking spray: Essential for greasing the pan so those gooey bars come out cleanly every time.
Spice cake mix: The base of the crust — it adds a subtle spice mix that makes the bars irresistible.
Large egg: Helps bind the crust ingredients together seamlessly.
Unsalted butter: Gives richness without altering the salt balance, especially important for the creamy filling.
Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese makes the filling creamy and adds tang that balances the sweetness.
Pumpkin puree: Use pure pumpkin (not pie filling) for the freshest flavor and the right texture.
Extra eggs: These add moisture and structure to the filling, helping it bake up gooey yet set.
Pure vanilla extract: A splash will deepen the overall flavor and make everything taste lovingly homemade.
Confectioners’ sugar: Blended into the filling for smooth sweetness and some extra dusting on top for a pretty finish.
Pumpkin pie spice: The secret weapon that brings the warm notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove to life.

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 playing around with this Pumpkin Spice Gooey Bars Recipe to tailor it to different moods and gatherings. You can make it your own depending on what you have on hand or who you’re serving.

Gluten-Free Option: Swap the spice cake mix for a gluten-free blend that you love; your bars will still be gooey and delicious, and my niece swears by this swap!
Extra Cream Cheese Swirl: Before baking, swirl in an additional ¼ cup of cream cheese mixture for an even more decadent, marbled look.
Nutty Twist: Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the crust for some crunch that contrasts beautifully with the gooey center.
Lower Sugar Version: You can reduce the confectioners’ sugar slightly if you prefer less sweetness, just keep the filling balanced so it sets well.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Gooey Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and generously greasing a 13″x9″ baking pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, I like to mix the spice cake mix with one egg and the melted butter until it forms a moist, crumbly dough. Use your hands or a spatula to press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your pan—it’ll be the buttery base that supports your gooey filling. Make sure it’s evenly packed so your bars bake evenly.

Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese Pumpkin Filling

In a separate large bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese, pumpkin puree, and the remaining melted butter until smooth. I find a hand whisk works great here to avoid lumps. Then add in two eggs and the vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture is silky. Finally, stir in the confectioners’ sugar and pumpkin pie spice. This filling will be thick but pourable—perfect for that irresistible gooey texture once baked.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

Pour your luscious filling over the prepared crust and spread it gently with a spatula to cover evenly. Pop it into the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Here’s the trick: the edges should be set and lightly golden, but the center should still jiggle just a little when you gently shake the pan. This slight wobble means your bars will be perfectly gooey once cooled.

Step 4: Cool and Finish

Once out of the oven, let the bars cool completely in the pan—this usually takes about an hour. I promise: patience pays off here. When cooled, dust the top with extra confectioners’ sugar for a pretty, snowy finish before cutting into 20 squares. These bars slice best with a sharp knife wiped between cuts.

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Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Spice Gooey Bars Recipe

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened cream cheese and eggs blend together more smoothly for that creamy filling texture.
Don’t Overbake: The center should jiggle slightly; overbaking will dry out the gooey delight you’re aiming for.
Press Crust Firmly: Packing the crust tightly helps it hold together when slicing.
Chill Before Cutting: If you find the bars too soft, refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to help them set for cleaner slices.

How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Gooey Bars Recipe

The image shows a tall stack of four square dessert bars, each with two layers: a dense, crumbly light brown base and a thick, moist orange topping with a slightly rough texture. The top bar is sprinkled with a thin dusting of powdered sugar, which also lightly coats the edges of the bars below it. The bars are placed on a small, square piece of white parchment paper resting on a white marbled surface. The background is plain and light grey, putting full focus on the dessert stack. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Pumpkin Spice Gooey Bars, pumpkin spice dessert, fall bar recipes, easy pumpkin bars, gooey fall treats

Garnishes

I’m a fan of keeping it simple here—a light dusting of powdered sugar really allows the spices and cream cheese to shine without distractions. But if I’m feeling fancy, a small dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans on each square brings extra texture and visual appeal that guests love.

Side Dishes

Serve these bars alongside a warm cup of chai tea, coffee, or even a creamy latte for a perfect afternoon pick-me-up. If it’s a brunch or dessert table, fresh fruit like sliced apples or pears pairs beautifully to cut through the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I layered these bars in a clear glass trifle bowl, alternating with whipped cream and candied pecans for a stunning fall dessert centerpiece. You can also cut them into mini squares and serve on decorative platters with little toothpicks for easy grab-and-go party treats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge, where they stay moist and gooey for up to 5 days. I like to line the container with parchment paper between layers so they don’t stick together—makes grabbing a piece super easy without any mess.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months — perfect for making ahead for holiday gatherings or busy weekdays.

Reheating

To reheat, I find gently warming a bar in the microwave for about 20 seconds brings back that fresh-baked gooeyness, but be careful not to overheat or it might dry out. Alternatively, a quick warm-up in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes works great too.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?

I recommend sticking to plain pumpkin puree for this recipe. Pumpkin pie filling is already sweetened and spiced, which could throw off the balance of flavors and sweetness in your Pumpkin Spice Gooey Bars Recipe.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?

Look for edges that are set and barely golden, with a center that still jiggles slightly when you gently shake the pan. This indicates the perfect gooey consistency that will set as it cools.
Can I make these bars ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! These bars actually taste great chilled and can be made a day or two in advance. Just cover and refrigerate, bringing them to room temperature or warming slightly before serving.
What can I substitute for spice cake mix?

If you don’t have spice cake mix, you can try a yellow cake mix with added cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice, but the texture and flavor won’t be quite the same as that classic spice blend provided by the cake mix.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how these Pumpkin Spice Gooey Bars turn out every time—there’s just something magical about that soft, creamy filling paired with a spiced cake crust. Whenever I make these bars, I’m instantly transported to cozy autumn afternoons at home with loved ones. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become your go-to for every pumpkin craving. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy the gooey goodness—it’s absolutely worth it!