Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (15.25 oz) Yellow Cake Mix (reserve 1 cup for the swirl)
- 1 can (15 oz) Pumpkin Puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 3 Large Eggs (at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, melted
- 1/2 cup Whole Milk
- 1 tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray. For even easier removal, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides so you can lift the bars out easily after they cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix (minus the 1 cup you reserved), the pumpkin puree, 2 eggs, melted butter, milk, and pumpkin pie spice. Use a hand mixer or a whisk to blend the ingredients until the batter is smooth and no dry streaks of flour remain. Pour this thick pumpkin batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it into an even layer using a spatula.
- In a separate medium-sized bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the remaining egg, the vanilla extract, and the reserved 1 cup of dry cake mix. Mix until the components are fully incorporated and the mixture is creamy. This reserved cake mix helps the cream cheese swirl hold its shape during the baking process.
- Drop large spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture onto the top of the pumpkin batter in the pan. Use a butter knife or an offset spatula to gently swirl the two mixtures together. Be careful not to over-mix; you want to see distinct ribbons of white cream cheese against the orange pumpkin base for a beautiful marbled effect.
- Place the pan in the center of the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The bars are done when the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. For the best texture and cleanest cuts, refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours before slicing into squares.
- Cook Time: 60 minutes