Here is how to make delicious pumpkin pie bars that are perfect for the holidays.
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Looking for an easy Thanksgiving dessert recipe that family and friends will love? This post is all about how to make pumpkin pie bars.
If you’re counting down the days until pumpkin spice season, then get ready because this recipe is about to be your new fall obsession. We’re talking about how to make pumpkin pie bars with a crunchy crust and a creamy filling.
Picture this: buttery shortbread crust, a creamy pumpkin filling that tastes just like the best pumpkin pie you’ve ever had, and a crumbly, cinnamon flavored topping that adds the perfect crunch.
These pumpkin pie bars with crumb topping are the ultimate cozy treat and the easiest way to get all the flavors of pumpkin pie without the fuss of rolling out a homemade pie crust.
Once you try these pie bars, they’ll become your go to dessert for every fall gathering (or just a random Tuesday when you’re craving something pumpkin—y!).
Let’s dive into how to make the best-ever pumpkin pie bars.
—In This Post: Easy Pumpkin Pie Bars—
- What Are Pumpkin Pie Bars?
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Pumpkin Pie Bar Ingredients
- How to Make Pumpkin Pie Bars
- Tips for Making the Best Pumpkin Pie Bars
- How Many Cups Are in a Box of Cake Mix?
- Can the Pumpkin Pie Bars Be Made Ahead of Time?
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Pie Bars
What Are Pumpkin Pie Bars?
Pumpkin pie bars are basically everything you love about classic pumpkin pie, but in an easy to make, crowd pleasing form that fills a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Think of pumpkin pie bars being as a cross between pumpkin pie and a dessert bar: you’ve got a buttery shortbread style crust, a creamy pumpkin filling loaded with fall spices, and a crumbly topping that gives them that extra texture and flavor.
The best part? There’s no fussing with pie dough or worrying about slicing the perfect piece—just cut the pie bars into squares and you’re good to go!
These bars are perfect for the holidays because they’re so easy to make in large batches. You can whip them up ahead of time, chill them, and they’re ready to serve the next day when you need them.
Plus, they’re portable, so if you’re headed to a Friendsgiving party or holiday potluck, they’re a dream to bring along. And since they’re already sliced into bite sized pieces, they’re ideal for holiday parties where people can just grab one and mingle.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Pie Bars Recipe
There are so many reasons to love this pumpkin pie bars recipe! First, it’s ridiculously easy to make—way simpler than making a full blown pie.
No need to roll out pie dough or stress about a soggy bottom crust. You just press that buttery, cake mix base into the pan, pour in the creamy pumpkin filling, and top it off with a crumbly, cinnamon flavored topping that takes it to the next level.
Pumpkin pie bars are like having all of the best parts of a pumpkin pie but in bar form—way less work, but just as delicious!
Another reason to love this recipe is that it’s perfect for feeding a crowd. Since the pumpkin pie bars are made in a 9×13 pan, you can easily slice it into bars, making it way easier to serve at holiday gatherings or potlucks.
Plus, you can make these bars ahead of time and chill them, which is a lifesaver during busy holiday weeks. And let’s be real—the combo of that creamy pumpkin filling with the crunchy crumb topping is seriously addictive. It’s everything we crave about fall in every bite!
Pumpkin Pie Bar Ingredients
Here is a list of the ingredients that you’ll need to make these super easy and delicious pumpkin pie bars using cake mix. These ingredients come together to make the perfect pumpkin pie bars—sweet, creamy, and full of cozy fall flavors that your family and friends will love.
- Yellow Cake Mix or Spice Cake Mix (15.25 oz. box). Cake mix forms the base for both the crust and crumble topping. Yellow cake mix gives a buttery, sweet flavor, while spice cake mix brings in those cozy fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Either one works, but spice cake mix gives you extra pumpkin spice vibes without any extra effort. You can also experiment with using other cake mix flavors, like French vanilla or butter pecan cake mix.
- Unsalted Butter (½ cup). Mix butter with the cake mix to form the crust and topping. Butter gives the crust and topping that rich, buttery flavor we all love. Just make sure that the butter is melted for easy mixing.
- Eggs (3 large). Egg helps to bind everything together and gives the crust some structure.
- Pumpkin Puree (15 oz. can). Pumpkin puree is the heart of your creamy pumpkin filling! When combined with ingredients like evaporated milk and pumpkin pie spices, the pumpkin puree is what gives the bars that creamy, pumpkin–y goodness.
- Evaporated Milk (12 oz. can). Evaporated milk makes the pumpkin filling super creamy without making it too rich. It’s the secret to getting that smooth, custard like texture that we love in pumpkin pie bars.
- Granulated Sugar (¾ cup) and Brown Sugar (¼ plus 2 tablespoons, divided). A combination of granulated and brown sugars adds sweetness and depth to the pumpkin pie filling. The brown sugar gives it a slight caramel like flavor that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin.
- Pumpkin Pie Spices. You’ll need pumpkin pie spices like ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg to spice up the filling. These are the key to that classic pumpkin pie flavor. If you’re using yellow cake mix, you can even add a little ground cinnamon to the crust for extra flavor.
- Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons, divided). Vanilla extract adds warmth and sweetness to both the crust and filling. A little vanilla goes a long way in giving the pumpkin pie bars that homemade taste.
- Salt (½ teaspoon, divided). Adding just a pinch of salt in both the crust and filling helps to balance out the sweetness of the pumpkin pie bars and bring out all those warm, spicy flavors.
- Optional Add Ins. One of the best things about pumpkin pie bars is how easy it is to customize the bars. For example, you can add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for some crunch, sprinkle a handful of chocolate chips or butterscotch baking chips over the top of the pie bars just before baking, or even a drizzle some caramel sauce over the pie bars just before serving.
How to Make Pumpkin Pie Bars
Using cake mix to make the crust and crumble topping for the pumpkin pie bars makes them easy to make—there’s less measuring involved and using cake mix often means that a dessert almost always turns out. Here is how to make quick and easy pumpkin pie bars using cake mix.
1—Preheat the oven, and make the pie bar crust.
First, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9 x 13 inch pan—or line the pan with parchment paper for easier cleaning.
Next, grab a box of yellow cake mix (or spice cake mix for extra fall vibes) and mix it up with melted butter and an egg until you get a dough like consistency. If you like a firmer crust, then add in a small amount of flour.
For extra flavor, add cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the cake mix. Mix well to blend the ingredients.
2—Form and bake the pie bar crust.
Press about two thirds (â…”) of the cake mix dough into the bottom of the pan to create a buttery, sweet crust. Set aside the remaining one third (â…“) of the cake mix dough to make the crumble topping later. Bake the pie bar crust for 10 to 15 minutes to help it firm up, while you mix the other ingredients.
3—Make the pumpkin pie filling.
Next up is the pumpkin filling—and it’s so easy to make! Just whisk together your pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugars (use both granulated sugar and brown sugar to add depth), and all those cozy fall spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
Add a small amount of vanilla and a little salt to balance it all out. Once the pumpkin pie filling is blended until it’s smooth and it smells amazing, pour the pie filling right over your cake mix crust.
4—Make the crumb topping.
Now for the fun part—making the crumble topping. Take the remaining 1/3 of your cake mix dough and crumble it all over the pumpkin filling. You can add a bit more cinnamon or even some finely chopped nuts or chocolate chips if you want to add some extra crunch and flavor.
5—Bake the pumpkin pie bars.
Bake the pumpkin pie bars for about 40 to 45 minutes, until the pumpkin is set and the topping turns golden and crispy. You may need more or less time to bake the bars, depending on how your oven cooks.
Let the pumpkin pie bars cool completely before slicing them. Serve the pumpkin pie bars as is, or add your favorite toppings like whipped cream or caramel sauce.
Tips for Making the Best Pumpkin Pie Bars
Here are some tips that can help to make pumpkin pie bars with cake mix one of the tastiest desserts to make this fall.
- Use spice cake mix for extra flavor. While yellow cake mix works great—especially if you want to highlight butter and vanilla flavors in the dessert, spice cake mix brings a warm and cozy fall flavor right into the crust and topping. It’s like adding extra pumpkin spice without even trying, so this can be a fun way to make pumpkin pie bars.
- Don’t skip the cinnamon and vanilla. Adding ground cinnamon and a splash of vanilla extract to the cake mix is a game changer. It’s an easy way to make the crust and crumble taste more homemade and less like a boxed mix, which we all love, right?
- Firm up the crust with flour. If you want a sturdier, more solid crust that doesn’t fall apart, mix in a little flour with the cake mix. It helps to hold everything together when you’re slicing those perfect squares.
- Toast the pumpkin and spices. Toasting the pumpkin and spices helps to bring out the flavors of each ingredient. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan and then add the pumpkin puree and spices to the pan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Let the pumpkin mixture cool before adding the other ingredients to make the pumpkin pie filling for the bars.
- Cool the bars completely before cutting. Let the pumpkin pie bars cool completely before slicing them. It helps the pumpkin filling set and makes cutting the dessert into neat bars so much easier. Chilling the dessert in the refrigerator can also make it easier to cut.
- Customize the crumble. Feel free to make the crumble your own! Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, or sliced almonds, or sprinkle a little extra cinnamon or nutmeg over the top. It gives your bars extra texture and flavor.
With these tips, your pumpkin pie bars will be the ultimate fall dessert. Don’t be surprised to find people coming back for more!
How Many Cups Are in a Box of Cake Mix?
The recipe calls for a 15.25 oz. box of cake mix, which usually contains about 3 ½ to 4 cups of dry cake mix. A 13.25 oz. box of cake mix contains about 3 to 3 ¼ cups of cake mix.
If using a 13.25 oz. box of cake mix, add about ½ cup of all purpose flour to the mixing bowl for the crust and crumb topping mixture. Add an extra ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract for flavor.
Can Pumpkin Pie Bars Be Made Ahead of Time?
One of the best things about pumpkin pie bars is that they can be made ahead of time, and they store well enough to make them the day before an occasion to save some time.
Once the pumpkin pie bars have baked and been cooled completely, cover them tightly with plastic wrap or a lid, and store them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for about 2 to 3 days, so they’re perfect for making in advance if you’re prepping for a holiday gathering.
In fact, you may find that they taste even better after chilling for a day—this allows the flavors to really come together!
If you want to keep the pumpkin pie bars for longer, you can freeze the bars. Just wrap them individually in plastic wrap and pop them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
They can keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to serve, just let the bars thaw in the fridge overnight. You may find that the crumb topping and crust softens in storage, but otherwise the bars should have that irresistible pumpkin flavor.
Serving Suggestions
To elevate your pumpkin pie bars and fully embrace cozy fall vibes, how are some ideas on a few delicious pairings to serve with the pie bars.
Top the bars with whipped cream or drizzle them with warm caramel sauce for extra indulgence—sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the caramel sauce for a salted caramel flavor.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream complements the creamy pumpkin filling perfectly, while candied pecans add a crunchy, sweet touch.
Serve the pumpkin pie bars chilled for a firm texture that tastes great with whipped cream, or serve them warm for a gooey, pie like experience.
Pair pumpkin pie bars with coffee, spiced chai tea, pumpkin spice lattes, or other fall inspired drinks for the best autumn treat!
Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Pie Bars
Easy Pumpkin Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust and Crumble Topping:
- 1 box yellow cake mix or spice cake mix for more flavor
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Pumpkin Filling:
- 1 15 oz. can pure pumpkin puree
- 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom optional
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line in with parchment paper for easier clean up.
- Add the cake mix, melted butter, egg, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine the ingredients until they form a dough like consistency.
- Press two thirds (â…”) of this mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan to form the crust. Set the remaining one third (â…“) of the dough aside to use for the crumble topping. Bake the pie bar crust for 10 to 15 minutes to help it firm up, while you mix the other ingredients.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, melted butter (2 Tbsp), granulated sugar, brown sugar, spices, salt, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and the ingredients are well combined.
- Pour the pumpkin mixture over the baked pie bar crust in the pan. Take the remaining one third (â…“) of the cake mix mixture and crumble it evenly over the pumpkin filling. You can add a bit more cinnamon or even some chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the crumble if for additional flavor and texture.
- Bake the pumpkin pie bars for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the pumpkin filling is set and the topping is golden brown.
- Let the pumpkin pie bars cool completely before slicing. Serve the bars with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or caramel sauce for a delicious dessert.
Looking for more of the best pumpkin recipes?
- Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe
- The Best Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread is Perfect for Fall
- How to Make an Easy Pumpkin Roll Cake
This post was all about how to make easy pumpkin pie bars.
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