Last week, I realized that my blog is seriously lacking butterscotch recipes! I’m not really sure why, since I love butterscotch. My earliest memory of butterscotch is when older brother used to make cook-and-serve butterscotch pudding for the two of us. It was delicious, warm comfort food! So, I knew I had to make something with butterscotch in it and wondered if pumpkin would go well with butterscotch. I decided to give it try and made these outstanding Pumpkin Butterscotch Bars with Butterscotch Cream Cheese Frosting!
This recipe, like most pumpkin bar recipes, makes a large pan of bars, so you’re going to have to share. To make the bars, mix together pumpkin, eggs and oil until combined. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, brown sugar, white sugar and mix well. Stir in butterscotch chips and spread into a greased jelly roll pan (mine measures 16 x 12 x 1). Bake at 350 degrees for 23-27 minutes.
Allow the pumpkin bars to cool and then make the butterscotch cream cheese frosting. Cream together room temperature cream cheese and butter. Mix in the vanilla, powdered sugar and butterscotch pudding. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk and beat until creamy. If the frosting is grainy from the butterscotch pudding, continue mixing at a lower speed for a few minutes to help it dissolve a little.
Spread the frosting over the bars and place them in the fridge until ready to serve. The butterscotch chips were mainly at the bottom of the bars and added great flavor, as well as a little bit of a chewy texture into the moist pumpkin bars.
It was a gorgeous weekend here in Minnesota… the kind of fall weather we dream about all year! We were able to spend time with several of our friends the weekend and I shared these pumpkin butterscotch bars with them. The creamy butterscotch cream cheese frosting on top of the moist pumpkin butterscotch bars is such a great combination! The overwhelming reaction was that the bars were fabulous and they want the recipe. So, I’m starting the week sharing this recipe for you to enjoy too!
- 1 3/4 cups canned pumpkin 15 oz can
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup canola oil
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 2 cups butterscotch chips
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered instant butterscotch pudding
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1-2 tbsp milk
- Mix together pumpkin, eggs and oil until combined.
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, brown sugar, white sugar and mix well.
- Stir in butterscotch chips and pour into a greased jelly roll pan (mine measures 16 x 12 x 1).
- Bake at 350 degrees for 23-27 minutes.
- Cream together room temperature cream cheese and butter. Mix in vanilla, powdered sugar and butterscotch pudding. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk and beat until creamy. If the frosting is grainy from the butterscotch pudding, continue mixing at a lower speed for a few minutes to help it dissolve a little.
Adapted from Pumpkin Bars in Bounteous Blessings by Frances A Gillette
Jocelyn@Brucrewlife says
I’m loving these pumpkin bars so much!! That butterscotch frosting is calling my name! Yum! 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
How delicious are these pumpkin bars! Definitely could devour one right about now.. great recipe!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
My blog is lacking too. As is my tummy. NEED THESE NOW. Pinned!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
I can’t even think of the last time I baked with butterscotch! That needs to change with these bars!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
Butterscotch cream cheese frosting? Oh my! Sounds awesome!
Amy | Club Narwhal says
Tonia, I am SO glad you are filling the butterscotch void because these babies look glorious! I love the pumpkin + butterscotch combo–so perfect for fall!
Tonia says
Thanks Amy! I already have several more butterscotch ideas in mind!
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says
My husband is absolutely obsessed with anything butterscotch. And like you, I should probably post more recipes using butterscotch – it really tastes incredible. I can’t wait to surprise my hubby with these bars! I love how light fluffy they look :).
Liz says
Love this recipe too. Thanks.
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
Pumpkin and butterscotch is one flavor I have never tried but sounds incredible! I wouldn’t be able to resist eating these bars!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
I just adore pumpkin bars. These look fantastic!
Tonia says
Thanks Jocelyn! I totally agree!