Skip to Content

Southern Food Junkie’s Pumpkin Squares

Sharing is caring!

Join us as we embark on a delightful autumn culinary adventure with Southern Food Junkie’s Pumpkin Squares. Once November gets here and the air turns crisp and leaves paint the landscape with warm hues, join us in crafting a delicious treat that encapsulates the essence of the season.

Southern Food Junkie's Pumpkin Squares

What Do Southern Food Junkie’s Pumpkin Squares Taste Like?

These Pumpkin Squares, which are an alternative to the classic pumpkin roll, are adorned with cozy spices, rich pumpkin flavor, and a cream cheese frosting., They are a perfect companion to your fall festivities. Get ready to infuse your kitchen with the spirit of autumn as we guide you through this scrumptious recipe.

Nothing says fall like Pumpkin Spice. I have to be honest though, I am not a big fan of Pumpkin Spice, that is unless it combines cream cheese icing in a cake! Have you ever heard of a Pumpkin Roll Cake?

Well, I have taken the Pumpkin Roll recipe and adapted it to make it slightly easier for those who are nervous about making it. This is my recipe for Pumpkin Squares!

Why I Like These Pumpkin Squares

Growing up, every fall my mom would make Pumpkin Rolls. Now they are not that hard to make but I feel as if some people are hesitant about making them.

One night I had an idea pop into my head, why not bake the cake for a little longer and instead of making them into a roll, make them into squares? I hope this will ease the anxiety of making pumpkin rolls and you will give these Pumpkin Squares a try. Also, check out this recipe for Blueberry-Banana Cream Pie!

Why You Will Love These Homemade Pumpkin Roll Alternatives

  • Simple to make: They are much easier to make than a Pumpkin Roll with the same awesome taste
  • Fall Time Favorite: They are a hit around the Fall and Winter Seasons
  • Moist and Chewy Texture: The delicious pumpkin cake has a careful balance of ingredients to ensure a moist and chewy texture, creating a satisfying bite with every square.
  • Warm Spices: The infusion of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg adds layers of flavor that perfectly complement the rich pumpkin goodness.
  • Homemade Goodness: Skip the store-bought treats and savor the satisfaction of creating a homemade delight that’s made with love and care.

What You Need to Make This Recipe


With just a handful of straightforward ingredients, you can whip up this delectable and flavorful recipe.

Ingredients

Pumpkin Cake

  • All Purpose Flour
  • Baking Powder
  • Baking Soda
  • Salt
  • Pumpkin Puree (Store bought or make your own)
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • Eggs
  • White Granulated Sugar
  • Powder or Confectioners Sugar

Cream Cheese Icing

  • Cream Cheese (softened to room temperature).
  • Butter (softened to room temperature)
  • Vanilla Extract

Topping

  • Chopped Walnuts

Equipment Needed to Make this Recipe

How To Make Southern Food Junkie’s Pumpkin Squares

  1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
  2. Start by combing Flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and Pumpkin Spice in a bowl. Use a whisk to mix well together.
  3. In a separate bowl, add eggs and granulated sugar. Use a mixer to mix until thick.
  4. Add in Pumpkin Puree and mix until well combined
  5. Add in half of the flour mixture to the egg, sugar, and pumpkin mixture. Mix until all the flour mixture is combined then add in the other half and mix that in.
  6. Next, grease a 15 x 10 jelly roll pan and then add parchment paper to the top. I also like to grease the top of the parchment paper as well.
  7. Pour your mixture onto the jelly roll pan and spread evenly. You can also hit the pan on your countertop to help make the mixture even and to pop any bubbles.
  8. Bake in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until the cake is spongy in the middle and a toothpick comes out clean.
  9. Flip the cake out onto a cooling rack. I like to put a towel down first so the cake won’t settle into the groves of the drying rack.
  10. Next, peel off the parchment paper from the cake.
  11. Allow the cake to completely cool. After the cake has cooled, spread on cream cheese icing and then sprinkle with walnuts. You can then cut into even squares.

Cream cheese Icing

  1. Add in the package of softened cream cheese, softened butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Mix until well incorporated.

Recipe Notes

  • While the cake is baking, make the cream cheese icing.
  • Make sure to allow the cake to cool to room temperature before spreading the icing on top.

Substitutions

  • Pecans can be substituted for walnuts

Related Recipes

FAQ’s

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin?

Yes, you can use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree.

What brand of canned pumpkin do you recommend?

I have always had good luck with Libby Pumpkin Puree.

How long do these Pumpkin Squares stay fresh?

These Pumpkin Squares actually stay fresh for a while. Since they have cream cheese icing, make sure to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will be good for 3 to 5 days.

Happy Baking!

Let me know how these Pumpkin Squares turn out for you in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you!

Yield: 14 Servings

Southern Food Junkie's Pumpkin Squares

Southern Food Junkie's Pumpkin Squares

Cream Cheese icing covers this delicious sponge-like Pumpkin Cake that is cut into easy to handle squares. This recipe is adapted from the ever so popular Pumpkin Roll.

Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

Pumpkin Cake

  • 3/4 cup All Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 tsp Baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp Baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 3/4 can Pumpkin Puree
  • 1 tsp Pumpkin Spice
  • 3 Large eggs
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 cup Powder sugar

Cream Cheese Icing

  • 1 Package Cream Cheese, softened
  • 6 tbls butter, softened
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Topping

  • 1 Cup Chopped Walnuts

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
  2. Start by combing Flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and Pumpkin Spice in a bowl. Use a whisk to mix well together.
  3. In a seperate bowl, add in 3 eggs and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Use a mixer to mix until thick.
  4. Add in Pumpkin Puree and mix until well combined
  5. Add in half of the flour mixture to the egg, sugar, and pumpkin mixture. Mix until all the flour mixture is combine then add in the other half and mix that in.
  6. Next, grease a 15 x 10 jelly roll pan and then add parchment paper to the top. I also like to grease the top of the parchment paper as well.
  7. Pour your mixture onto the jelly roll pan and spread evenly. You can also hit the pan on your counter top to help make the mixture even and to pop any bubbles.
  8. Bake in oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until cake is spongie in the middle and a tooth pick comes out clean.
  9. Flip cake out onto a cooling rack. I like to put a towel down first so the cake won't settle into the groves of the drying rack.
  10. Next, peel off the parchment paper from the cake.
  11. Allow cake to completely cool. After cake has cooled, spread on cream cheese icing and then sprinkle with walnuts. You can then cut into even squares.

Cream cheese Icing

  1. Add in 1 package of softened cream cheese, 6 tbls of softened butter, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, and 1 cup of powdered sugar. Mix until well incorporated.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

14

Serving Size:

1 grams

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 280Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 179mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 1gSugar: 30gProtein: 4g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Jackie Garvin

Tuesday 25th of December 2018

Easier to make than a pumpkin roll and easier to serve than a layer cake. Plus, cream cheese icing! Great recipe.

Southern Food Junkie

Saturday 29th of December 2018

You are exactly right on easier to make than a Pumpkin Roll. That is why I thought of this, some people are scared or intimidated to make the Pumpkin Roll. This gives them a great alternative! Plus, no one knows if you ate one before taking to a gathering hahaha!

The Girl Next Door

Sunday 2nd of December 2018

We don't have a proper fall season here in Bangalore, India, where I live. Pumpkin spice is not very popular here either. I have heard a lot about fall and pumpkin spice, though - would love to experience both some time. :)

Your Pumpkin Squares look so good! I want to grab a square off the plate right away!

Southern Food Junkie

Monday 3rd of December 2018

Oh man, Pumpkin Spice is like a really huge deal here in the fall. Everything is Pumpkin Spice haha. Honestly, I am not that crazy about it but only in a few things, such as these Pumpkin Squares. YUM! Thanks for stopping by!

Zeba@Food For The Soul

Saturday 1st of December 2018

These look delicious. Thanks for sharing on Fiesta Friday!

Southern Food Junkie

Monday 3rd of December 2018

Thanks so much!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!