Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dream Bars (Your New Fall Obsession!)

Oh, my cozy fall-loving friends… thank you so much for being here! Every time you stop by, bake something you love, or send a sweet message, it genuinely warms my heart like a crackling October fireplace. And today? I’ve got something dreamy—literally—to share with you.

I promised you versatile… and here’s proof! These Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dream Bars are everything autumn baking should be: creamy, warmly spiced, slightly tangy, effortlessly beautiful, and anything but boring!!

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What Are Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dream Bars?

Think: a buttery graham cracker crust… a silky pumpkin-spiced cheesecake filling… and a dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that feels like a warm sweater for your taste buds. These bars fall somewhere between cheesecake and pumpkin pie, making them the ultimate fall hybrid dessert.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Recipe

Ridiculously easy — no fancy techniques required.
Perfect texture — creamy filling + crunchy crust = bliss.
Big flavor payoff — pumpkin spice, vanilla, tangy cream cheese.
Crowd-pleasing — ideal for holidays, potlucks, bake sales, or cozy nights in.
Make-ahead friendly — they taste even better the next day!

What Do These Dream Bars Taste Like?

Imagine a pumpkin pie and a cheesecake fell in love and created the softest, smoothest pumpkin dessert ever. The pumpkin brings warm spice, the cream cheese adds tangy richness, and the graham crust gives you a buttery crunch that balances it all. The aroma alone… oh my goodness. When this is in the oven, your whole kitchen smells like a bakery!

Benefits of This Recipe

Uses simple pantry staples
Ready in under an hour
Budget-friendly
Kid-approved and holiday-worthy
Easy to customize with toppings and mix-ins

Ingredients

For the Crust

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar

For the Filling

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup pumpkin purée
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 large egg
Pinch of salt

Tools You’ll Need

Mixing bowls
Electric mixer or whisk
8×8 or 9×9-inch baking pan
Parchment paper (optional but helpful!)
Spatula

Optional Additions & Easy Substitutions

Add-ins: mini chocolate chips, chopped pecans, caramel drizzle, or crushed ginger snaps
Crust swaps: vanilla wafers, shortbread cookies, or Biscoff biscuits
Pumpkin spice substitute: cinnamon + nutmeg + ginger + clove combination
Lightened version: use Neufchâtel cheese and reduce sugar by 2–3 tablespoons