Pumpkin Cookie Bars with Maple Buttercream Frosting
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyThese Pumpkin Cookie Bars with Maple Buttercream Frosting are a delicious and easy to make recipe that’s perfect for fall.
Are you visually stuffed yet? I hope not because we have a couple more days to go in Fall Cookie Week! Today we’re showcasing these Pumpkin Cookie Bars with Maple Buttercream Frosting!
I always like to include a bar cookie when I’m putting together an assortment of cookies.
Although a bar cookie might not match some folks’ idea of a cookie, I think it’s an excellent addition to a cookie collection. Plus, I love that cookie bars tend to take less hands-on time to prepare.
Not that you need an excuse to make 5 dozen+ cookies, but here ya go!
For these cookie bars, I started with a pumpkin cookie base. It’s similar to a sugar cookie or snickerdoodle. However, this recipe has real pumpkin and lots of seasonal spices to make that pumpkin flavor come alive.
How to Make Pumpkin Cookie Bars with Maple Buttercream Frosting:
With the cookie base made, next up was the maple buttercream frosting. For the past couple years, I’ve been ordering maple syrup from my friend (and fellow blogger) Laura of Finding Home Farms.
I love using it in recipes. Laura and her family started making and selling maple syrup a few years back, and I’ve been in love with it since my first taste.
If you can get some of her syrup, I highly recommend it. If not, check your farmers market, country store, or local grocery. Pure maple syrup is best. Skip the “maple-flavored syrup” since it’s just a sugar syrup to which maple flavoring has been added.
So, to finish these cookies, I made a standard buttercream that I with the maple syrup and more seasonal spices to bring it all together.
Once the sheet of pumpkin cookie goodness has cooled, I added the buttercream frosting and popped the whole thing in the fridge. This allows the frosting to set which makes it slicing a bit easier.
I chose a triangle shape for my cookie bars, but you can cut them however you like.
It’s that easy. You’ll have 60 or more cookies in no time. It’s a yummy way to celebrate fall.
The combination of pumpkin, maple, and seasonal spices is a match made in cookie heaven. It’s all the flavors of fall in one sweet treat.
If you like these pumpkin cookies, you’ll love these too:
- Black and White Pumpkin Cookies
- Pumkin Whoopie Pies with Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
- Frosted Pumpkin Cookies
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Cookies
- Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
Pumpkin Cookies Bars Recipe:
What do you think? Are you digging these Pumpkin Cookie Bars with Maple Buttercream Frosting? Are you a fan of cookie bars or do you prefer more traditional cookies?
Pumpkin Cookie Bars with Maple Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Maple Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 6 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon maple flavoring
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- Cinnamon sugar to garnish
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 18 x 13 x 1-inch baking sheet with baking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar for about 5 minutes or until fluffy. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the pumpkin and vanilla extract. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ones and beat until just combined.
- Press the dough into the bottom of your prepared baking sheet. Dust your hands with flour if the dough is sticky.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out almost clean. Do not overbake.
- While the baked cookie dough cools, prepare your buttercream frosting. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter for about 1-2 minutes. Slowly add the confectioners’ sugar one cup at a time, adding a splash of milk as needed to keep the frosting smooth. Finally, add the pure maple syrup, maple flavoring, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Mix to evenly combine.
- Spread the buttercream frosting over the cooled bars then sprinkle with a light dusting of cinnamon sugar. Slice into desired size and shape.
Nutrition
I hope you’re enjoying Fall Cookie Week. In case you missed anything, catch up with all the recipes here. Also, if you make any of our recipes, share them on Instagram. Tag @inspiredbycharm or @julieblanner and use the hashtag #FallCookieWeek. We’d love to see your creations!
Now, before you head off, take a peek at Julie Blanner’s newest recipe. Today she’s made Glazed Apple Pie Spice Cookies. Apple pie in cookie form? Yes, please! I know you’re going to love this recipe. Read more about it here.
As always, Happy Fall Baking!
What a delicious combination! Love this recipe. Cookie bars are so much easier to make than dozens of cookies.
another super creative recipe, wow, love the flavor and even the texture here, nice, thank you!
Thanks! It’s great for the season.
xo Michael
I’ll take the bowl of maple buttercream! That’s the stuff dreams are made of!