Decadent Pumpkin Chocolate Dream Bars
Indulge in a luxurious dessert experience with these Decadent Pumpkin Chocolate Dream Bars. Each bar combines the warm, comforting flavors of pumpkin and spice with the richness of cream cheese and crème fraîche. The buttery graham cracker crust provides a perfect balance to the smooth, creamy filling that is enhanced with bourbon and a hint of Chinese five spice. Topped with generous amounts of semi-sweet chocolate chips, these bars not only tantalize the taste buds of adults but also delight the young ones. Whether it's a festive gathering or simply a sweet treat for yourself, these bars are sure to impress. Just remember to hide a few away for later, as they won't last long on the dessert table!
32
Servings
115
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Graham cracker crumbs
2 1/2 cups (Crushed)
Sugar
1/4 cup (Granulated)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (To taste)
Unsalted butter
1/2 cup (Melted)
Cream cheese
2 (8 ounce) packages (Softened)
Crème fraîche
7 ounces (Softened)
Sugar
3/4 cup (Granulated)
Pumpkin puree
15 ounces (Canned or homemade)
Flour
1/4 cup (All-purpose)
Chinese five spice powder
1 teaspoon (Or pumpkin pie spice)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Bourbon
2 tablespoons (Optional)
Eggs
2 large (Beaten)
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
12 ounces (Reserved for mixing and topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a large 10x15 inch baking pan with foil, allowing some overhang for easy removal later.
2
In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt. Pour in the melted butter, and mix until all crumbs are moistened. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust.
3
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and crème fraîche until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sugar, and continue to beat until fully incorporated. Mix in the pumpkin puree, flour, Chinese five spice powder, salt, bourbon, and eggs until you achieve a smooth, homogenous mixture.
4
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, reserving a handful for topping. Pour the mixture over the graham cracker crust and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips evenly across the surface and gently tap the pan on the counter to settle the mixture.
5
Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is almost set but still has a slight jiggle.
6
Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool on a wire rack for one hour before transferring to the refrigerator to chill for an additional hour.
7
Once chilled, lift the bars out of the pan using the foil overhang. Carefully peel away the foil, and slice into 32 equal-sized bars with a knife wiped clean with a paper towel between cuts for clean edges.
8
Store the bars in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy your decadent pumpkin chocolate creation!
Nutrition Information
7g
Fat
12g
Carbs
1.4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Pumpkin Chocolate Dream Bars?
They are a luxury dessert bar featuring a graham cracker crust and a creamy filling made from pumpkin, cream cheese, and crème fraîche, topped with chocolate chips.
How many bars does this recipe produce?
This recipe yields 32 equal-sized bars.
What is the calorie count for one bar?
Each bar contains approximately 115 calories.
What can I use if I don't have Chinese five spice powder?
You can substitute Chinese five spice powder with pumpkin pie spice.
What size baking pan is needed for this recipe?
A large 10x15 inch baking pan is required.
Is the bourbon a required ingredient?
No, the 2 tablespoons of bourbon are optional.
How should I prepare the baking pan to prevent sticking?
Line the pan with foil, leaving an overhang to help lift the bars out after they have chilled.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
How much pumpkin puree is used in the filling?
The recipe calls for 15 ounces of pumpkin puree, which can be canned or homemade.
What type of chocolate is recommended for the topping?
The recipe uses 12 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
How long do the bars need to bake?
Bake the bars for 35-40 minutes.
How do I know when the bars are finished baking?
The center should be almost set but still have a slight jiggle.
How long do the bars need to cool before refrigeration?
The bars should cool on a wire rack for one hour before being moved to the refrigerator.
How long should the bars be chilled before serving?
Chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
How do I ensure clean edges when slicing the bars?
Wipe the knife clean with a paper towel between each cut.
What are the nutritional details for fat and protein?
Each serving contains 7g of fat and 1.4g of protein.
What ingredients make up the crust?
The crust is made of graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted unsalted butter.
How much cream cheese is required?
You will need two 8-ounce packages of softened cream cheese.
What is the carbohydrate content per bar?
There are 12g of carbohydrates per serving.
Should the eggs be added whole or beaten?
The recipe specifies using 2 large beaten eggs.
Can I use salted butter for the crust?
The recipe calls for unsalted butter, but you can use salted if you adjust the added salt in the crust.
How much crème fraîche is needed?
The recipe requires 7 ounces of softened crème fraîche.
What is the primary flavor profile of these bars?
They feature warm pumpkin and spice notes balanced with rich chocolate and a buttery graham cracker base.
Is there flour in the filling?
Yes, 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour is mixed into the pumpkin and cream cheese filling.
How should I store these bars?
Store the bars in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve them.
What should the texture of the filling be before baking?
The filling should be beaten until it is a smooth, homogenous mixture.
How many total ingredients are used?
The recipe uses 14 different ingredients.
Do I put all the chocolate chips in the batter?
No, you fold most into the batter but reserve a handful to sprinkle on top before baking.
What should I do after pouring the filling into the pan?
Smooth the top with a spatula and gently tap the pan on the counter to settle the mixture.
Is this a good dessert for parties?
Yes, they are described as a great party treat that impresses guests and appeals to both adults and children.