Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars are the perfect fall dessert! With layers of streusel, cheesecake filling, and a swirl of pumpkin, they’re gorgeous and so delicious!

When do you start thinking “pumpkin?” For me, it’s August. I know, I know…..some of you are rolling your eyes, saying that’s wayyyyyy too early! But when the school buses are out, football is back in season, and I start seeing trees changing color, I’m 100% on the pumpkin bandwagon!

Why You’ll Love these Delicious Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

• You get the creamy cheesecake layer without needing a hot water bath and a springform pan like a traditional cheesecake.
• Plenty of crumb topping!!  I love a good crumb topping, and for this recipe, you’ll press some of it on the bottom as the “crust” and the rest on the top.  (PS. Though I also love a classic cheesecake’s buttery graham cracker crust, this pecan-studded buttery mixture is too good to pass up!)
• A cake mix simplifies the crumb topping, helping you get these dessert bars into the oven ASAP!
• Great pumpkin flavor!  You’ll get pumpkin spice flavor in the crumb topping as well as the pumpkin pie filling layer!
• It’s always a huge hit with family and friends, especially this time of year! (Therefore, I love that it’s baked in a 9×13-inch baking dish so there’s plenty for seconds!)

Key Ingredients

The full list of ingredients and amounts are in the recipe card below, but I wanted to draw attention to a few of them.

• Cake Mix – I prefer the flavor of yellow cake mix, but white or vanilla cake mix would work great, too.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice – Use store-bought or make your own with a mix of ground cinnamon and other fall spices
• Chopped Pecans – If your family doesn’t enjoy pecans in their desserts, you could certainly skip these
• Sweetened Condensed Milk – Not to be confused with evaporated milk!
• Pumpkin – Be sure to grab pure pumpkin puree and NOT pumpkin pie mix

Line the pan with parchment paper.  This will make it easier to remove the bars from the pan once they’re chilled. 

Mix the crust with a wooden spoon or in a food processor.  Press half of the mixture into an even layer in the baking pan.  I use a metal 9×13-inch pan, but you could opt to use a glass pan instead (but note that it may take a few more minutes in the oven.)

Make the cream cheese filling. To get the creamy consistency you’re going for, be sure to mix the cream cheese by itself first so it’s nice and smooth.  I find it easiest to do this with an electric mixer or a stand mixer.  Then, you’ll add the remaining ingredients and stir until combined. 

Next up is the pumpkin filling!  It’s very similar to mixing up a pumpkin pie filling.  Essentially, you’ll add all of the ingredients to a bowl and whisk until smooth.

Now you’ll scoop the two fillings alternately into the crust and use a butter knife to swirl the fillings together a bit.

Then crumble the remaining “crust” mixture over the bars and pop them into the oven!

Bake until the center of the bars doesn’t move when gently jiggled, remove from the oven, let cool completely, and refrigerate.

How to Store

Due to the filling in these bars, it’s important to store them in the fridge. They’ll last 5-7 days stored in an airtight container or on a platter covered tightly with plastic wrap.

Pumpkin cheesecake bars also freeze really well. Let them cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 2–3 months, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Other Yummy Pumpkin Recipes

💚Pumpkin Bars with Browned Butter Frosting – With a moist pumpkin bar base and a creamy browned butter frosting, you’ll FALL in love with these in no time!

🧡Pumpkin Crisp – It’ll take about 1 bite of this goodness to realize Pumpkin Crisp is your new favorite fall dessert! 

💛Pumpkin Churro Mini Muffins – These pumpkin mini muffins are super moist, loaded with fall flavors and coated in a “churro” coating. 

♥️Pumpkin Coffee Cake – Pumpkin Coffee Cake has a moist, pumpkin-spiced base, thick crumb layer, and a beautiful drizzle of icing to top it off!