Pumpkin Pie Bars
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyIf youโre a fan of pumpkin pie, youโre going to love these Pumpkin Pie Bars. In a nutshell, theyโre pumpkin pie in bar form. These bars boast an inviting oat crust, a rich pumpkin filling enriched with seasonal spices, and are crowned with a brown sugar pecan topping.
Like lots of folks, Iโm a huge fan of this so-called โPumpkin-Flavored-Everything Season.โ I have yet to meet a pumpkin-based dessert I didnโt like. And even though I already have dozen of delicious pumpkin recipes here on Inspired by Charm, every year I feel compelled to add more to that delicious list.
Thatโs why I whipped up these Pumpkin Bar Bars today and am so excited to share them with you.
As I mentioned above, these Pumpkin Pie Bars are like pumpkin pie in bar form. Making them is pretty much like baking pumpkin pie, except these bars are made in a 9 x 13-inch pan and have a unique crust and topping which enhances their deliciousness. I also include generous amounts of seasonal spice to bring that cozy and comforting fall pumpkin spice flavor to life.
Another reason Iโm crazy about these Pumpkin Pie Bars is that they serve a crowd. When cut into bars, this recipe can serve up to 24 people. That gives you more bang for your buck (and time) than a traditional pumpkin pie.
As you can see, these bars are a winner in every way. Enough teasing, let me tell you how to make them so you can whip up a batch yourself!
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- These bars are packed with those warm and cozy spices we all crave when the leaves start to change. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of clove? Yes, please! Every bite is a comforting embrace of pumpkin-spiced perfection.
- Ever been intimidated by the idea of baking a whole pie? I get it. Rolling out the perfect pie crust can be a daunting task. But with these bars, thereโs no rolling involved. These are so easy to make!
- Unlike a traditional pie, these bars are super easy to grab and go. Perfect for when youโre in a rush but need that pumpkin fix!
Looking for more on-the-go pumpkin treats? Try these Cranberry Pumpkin Bars, Pumpkin Pasties, or these Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting.
Ingredients
Before we dive right into making these pumpkin pie bar, letโs gather up some ingredients. Hereโs what youโll need to start making and baking:
- all-purpose flour
- old fashioned oats
- brown sugar
- unsalted butter
- salt
- pumpkin puree
- evaporated milk
- eggs
- sugar
- cornstarch
- vanilla extract
- spices (cinnamon, clove, ginger)
- chopped pecans
How to Make
Ready to try making these Pumpkin Pie Bars? Iโll walk you through the steps below. For your convenience, Iโve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Then grease a 9 x 13-inch cake pan with baking spray and set aside.
- Before I continue I wanted to note that in my photos youโll see that I lined my pan with parchment paper. This is not necessary, and I donโt recommend it. I thought Iโd be able to lift the bars out of the pan with the parchment, but thatโs not the case with this recipe. So, skip the parchment and just spray your pan with baking spray. Do as I say not as I did.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, softened butter, and salt. (Ingredient amounts and full instructions are listed in the printable recipe card below.) Mix until crumbly. For this process, I started with a wooden spoon and then used clean hands to make sure everything was well-mixed.
- Using your hands, press this mixture evenly into the prepared cake pan. This gets par-baked for 18 minutes.
- While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, add the pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt. This creates a lot of pumpkin pie filling so be sure to use a large bowl. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour this filling over the par-baked crust; then return it to the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until set.
- In the meantime, in a small bowl prepare the topping by combining the pecans, sugar, butter, and cinnamon.
- Sprinkle the topping over the pumpkin filling and bake for an additional 15 minutes. This topping is so yummy and has the perfect texture and crunch.
๐ SAVE THIS POST / RECIPE!
Thatโs it! Just allow the Pumpkin Pie Bars to cool before serving.
Cut into 24 bars. Leftover bars can be covered in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator.
As with many of my recipes, these bars come together easily. If youโre a novice baker, youโll have no trouble. And trust me, everyone will be asking for the recipe.
So join me in celebrating โPumpkin-Flavored-Everything Seasonโ with this delicious recipe! Happy baking, dear friends!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do these bars last?
In the unlikely event they donโt all disappear the day you make them, these pumpkin pie bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Just keep them in an airtight container.
Is there a substitute for pecans in the topping?
Of course! If pecans arenโt your thing or if youโre looking for a variation, walnuts or almonds can be a great substitute. Or, if youโre nut-free, try a crumble topping made from oats, brown sugar, and butter.
I donโt have all the spices. Can I use pumpkin pie spice?
Definitely. If youโre running low on individual spices or just want to keep things super simple, you can use 3 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice as a substitute.
I donโt have all the spices. Can I use pumpkin pie spice?
Definitely. If youโre running low on individual spices or just want to keep things super simple, you can use 2-3 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice as a substitute.
How do I know when theyโre done baking?
The middle should be set and not jiggle when you shake the pan slightly. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.
There you have it, dear readers! A dessert that screams autumn, brings comfort with every bite, and is sure to impress both you and your guests. Whether youโre prepping for a big family dinner, a fun potluck with friends, or just treating yourself on a cool evening, these Pumpkin Pie Bars are your new go-to.
More Pumpkin Recipes Youโll Love:
- Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread
- Pumpkin Spice Cream Horns
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies
- Pumpkin Slab Pie
- Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies
- Pumpkin Whoppie Pies
I hope youโll try these pumpkin pie bars this fall. I know youโre going to LOVE them. If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.
Want more from Inspired by Charm? Follow along on Instagram and TikTok for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. Thereโs even more inspiration on Facebook and Pinterest!
Pumpkin Pie Bars
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling:
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) pumpkin puree
- 2 cans (12 ounces each) evaporated milk
- 4 eggs beaten
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
Toppings:
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch cake pan with baking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, softened butter, and salt. Mix until crumbly. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared cake pan and bake for 18 minutes.
- While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, add the pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour this filling over the par-baked crust. Return it to the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the filling is set.
- In the meantime, in a small bowl prepare the topping by combining the pecans, sugar, butter, and cinnamon.
- Sprinkle the topping over the pumpkin filling and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
- Allow the Pumpkin Pie Bars to cool before serving. Cut into 24 bars. Leftover bars can be covered in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator.
Having hated store pumpkin pies, I’ve been making this recipe for years, and loving it. Going into the holiday season and counting calories is tough, but I just ran all of the ingredients into a calorie counter. Your recipe seems spot on. I did put in fat free evaporated milk. Are you using fat free, too? (Our final calories came out very close.) To save calories, I’m foregoing the topping, and going to see what lo-cal whip in a can I can find, so that I can cut my 13×9 into 18 pieces instead of 24. (Did I mention I LOVE the cold, soothing pumpkin?!) Thank you for sharing and keeping this recipe going. It is SO easy! My very favorite Thanksgiving dessert.
Yes! Pumpkin Pie in a bar! So good! I cut the recipe in half and used an 8×8 Pyrex pan. Very good results!
Do you think this could be made with a graham cracker or ginger snap crumb crust rather than oat crust?
Thanks!
I think that would work!
xo Michael
Can you make this and use real pumpkin purรฉe instead of pumpkin can filling? Iโm dying to make this but only have homemade pumpkin puree
Just wanted to tell you how much I love your blog, your design style, your recipes, your photography and your stories! You are so talented!
Could you tell me where found your dining room table? Iโm in love with that too!
This sounds amazing. I have a small family, do you think these would freeze well? Or maybe I should try 1/2 recipe? If so would I decrease baking time?
I don’t think I would freeze them. I don’t think the texture would be great after defrosting them. A half pan might be a good idea. Yes, you’d likely need to decrease the baking time.
xo Michael
Making these for my weekend company arriving on Friday! yummy!!