Creamy Pumpkin Spice Bars
Indulge in these deliciously creamy Pumpkin Spice Bars, a delightful twist on the classic pumpkin pie. Perfect for the fall season or any festive gathering, these bars feature a buttery crust topped with a rich pumpkin filling, spiced just right. The combination of old-fashioned oats and chopped pecans adds a wonderful texture to every bite. Easy to prepare and even easier to share, your friends and family will be asking for seconds of these delectable treats!
24
Servings
147
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Flour
1 1/3 cups (All-purpose flour)
Brown Sugar
1/2 cup (Firmly packed)
Granulated Sugar
3/4 cup, divided (Divided into 1/4 cup for the crust and 1/2 cup for the filling)
Butter or Margarine
3/4 cup (Cold, cut into small cubes)
Old-Fashioned Oats
1 cup (Uncooked, can substitute with quick-cooking oats)
Chopped Pecans
1/2 cup (Finely chopped)
Cream Cheese
8 ounces (Softened at room temperature)
Eggs
3 (Large eggs)
Pumpkin Puree
15 ounces (Canned pumpkin)
Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 tablespoon (Pre-packaged or homemade spice blend)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, allowing the edges to hang over for easy removal later. Grease the foil lining with cooking spray.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. Stir until well mixed.
4
Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5
Add the old-fashioned oats and chopped pecans to the mixture, stirring to combine. Reserve 1 cup of this oat mixture for topping.
6
Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until lightly golden.
7
In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, eggs, canned pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice until the mixture is well blended and smooth.
8
Once the crust has baked and slightly cooled, pour the pumpkin filling over the crust. Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture evenly on top.
9
Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the filling is set.
10
Remove from the oven and use the foil handles to lift the bars out of the pan. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares.
Nutrition Information
6g
Fat
20g
Carbs
2g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Creamy Pumpkin Spice Bars?
They are a delightful dessert featuring a buttery oat and pecan crust topped with a rich, spiced pumpkin filling, perfect for fall gatherings.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 24 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each bar contains approximately 147 calories.
What oven temperature is required?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
What size baking pan is needed?
A 13x9-inch baking pan is required for this recipe.
Should I grease the pan?
Yes, you should line the pan with foil and grease it with cooking spray for easy removal.
Can I use quick-cooking oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
Yes, quick-cooking oats can be used as a substitute for old-fashioned oats in the crust.
What type of nuts are used in the crust?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans.
Should the butter be cold or softened for the crust?
The butter should be cold and cut into small cubes to create a crumbly texture.
How long should I bake the crust initially?
Bake the crust for 15 minutes or until it is lightly golden.
How much sugar is used in the crust?
The crust uses 1/2 cup of firmly packed brown sugar and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar.
What ingredients are needed for the filling?
The filling consists of softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, eggs, canned pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice.
Does the cream cheese need to be at room temperature?
Yes, the cream cheese should be softened at room temperature to ensure the filling is smooth and well blended.
How many eggs are required for the pumpkin filling?
The recipe requires 3 large eggs.
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
The recipe specifically calls for 15 ounces of canned pumpkin puree; using pie filling may alter the spice levels and texture.
How much pumpkin pie spice is needed?
You will need 1 tablespoon of pre-packaged or homemade pumpkin pie spice.
Do I save any of the crust mixture for the top?
Yes, reserve 1 cup of the oat and pecan mixture to sprinkle over the filling before the final bake.
How long do the bars bake after adding the filling?
The bars should bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the filling is set.
How should I cool the pumpkin bars?
Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting them into squares.
What is the easiest way to remove the bars from the pan?
Use the overhanging foil handles to lift the entire block of bars out of the pan once cooled.
What is the fat content per bar?
Each bar contains 6 grams of fat.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 20 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in one pumpkin spice bar?
Each bar provides 2 grams of protein.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for either butter or margarine.
What is the total count of ingredients used?
There are 10 distinct ingredients in this recipe.
Is the brown sugar packed?
Yes, the 1/2 cup of brown sugar should be firmly packed.
How is the granulated sugar divided?
1/4 cup is used for the crust and 1/2 cup is used for the cream cheese filling.
What category of dessert are these?
These are categorized as Bar Cookies.
Are these bars suitable for fall?
Yes, the warm pumpkin and spice flavors make them an ideal autumn treat.
Should the pecans be finely chopped?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans for the best texture.