Description
These Cottage Cheese Pumpkin Spice Cake Bars combine a moist and creamy texture with warm fall spices and the subtle tang of cottage cheese, making a nourishing and flavorful seasonal dessert or snack that is easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese (for creaminess and moisture)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (for natural sweetness and color)
- 2 large eggs (for structure and richness)
- 1 cup brown sugar (adds caramel notes and moisture retention)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free baking blend for gluten-free option)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (for leavening)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (for leavening)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (balances sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (warmth and flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (warmth and flavor)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (warmth and flavor)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (warmth and flavor)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (to complement spices)
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts or pecans for crunch)
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (for indulgence)
- Maple syrup to replace sugar partially or fully (for natural sweetness)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather and measure all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, pumpkin puree, eggs, vanilla extract, and brown sugar. Use a hand mixer or whisk vigorously until smooth and creamy, ensuring no large lumps remain from the cottage cheese.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
- Bring Wet and Dry Together: Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
- Add Optional Ingredients: Fold in nuts, chocolate chips, or any other add-ins now, if using, to add texture and flavor.
- Bake the Bars: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the cake bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares or rectangles. This helps them firm up for easier handling.
Notes
- For smoother bars, blend cottage cheese in a food processor before mixing.
- Use freshly ground spices for the best pumpkin spice flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter to ensure the bars remain tender.
- Use an oven thermometer to maintain accurate baking temperature.
- Let the bars cool fully to prevent crumbling and enhance flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/12th of recipe)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: pumpkin spice, cottage cheese, fall dessert, cake bars, gluten-free option, moist cake bars, autumn recipe
