Nutty Deep Dish Pumpkin Pie Squares
Indulge in this delightful twist on the classic pumpkin pie, where a crunchy, nut-infused crust perfectly complements the creamy, spiced filling. Ideal for potlucks, gatherings, or cozy family dinners, these pumpkin pie squares can be easily sliced into generous servings or bite-sized treats. Each mouthful will have you and your guests exclaiming, 'Oh, this is incredibly delicious!' Perfectly chilled for peak flavor.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
1 3/4 cups (none)
packed brown sugar
1/3 cup (none)
granulated sugar
1/3 cup (none)
cold butter or margarine
1 cup (cut in small pieces)
chopped nuts
1 cup (none)
solid pack pumpkin
16 ounces (none)
sweetened condensed milk
14 ounces (none)
eggs
2 (none)
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (none)
ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well combined.
3
Add the cold, cubed butter or margarine to the mixture and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4
Stir in the chopped nuts evenly throughout the crumb mixture.
5
Set aside 1 cup of the crumb mixture for the topping.
6
Press the remaining crumb mixture firmly into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 12 x 7-inch baking dish to form a crust.
7
In a separate large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, and salt. Whisk the ingredients until smooth and well incorporated.
8
Pour the pumpkin filling evenly over the prepared crust in the baking dish.
9
Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the top of the pumpkin filling.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for about 55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is set.
11
Remove from oven and allow it to cool at room temperature before placing in the refrigerator to chill thoroughly.
12
Once chilled, slice into squares and serve your luscious creation.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Nutty Deep Dish Pumpkin Pie Squares?
They are a delightful twist on classic pumpkin pie featuring a crunchy, nut-infused crust and a creamy, spiced pumpkin filling, served in easy-to-slice squares.
What size baking dish should I use for this recipe?
You should use a 12 x 7-inch baking dish to ensure the crust and filling have the proper depth.
What ingredients are needed for the crust?
The crust is made from flour, packed brown sugar, granulated sugar, cold butter or margarine, and chopped nuts.
How do I achieve the right texture for the crust crumbs?
Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to blend the cold butter into the flour and sugar mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Should the butter be cold or room temperature?
The butter should be cold and cut into small pieces to create the desired crumbly texture for the crust.
What kind of pumpkin should I use?
Use a 16-ounce container of solid pack pumpkin puree. Do not use pumpkin pie filling, as that contains pre-added spices and sugar.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for either cold butter or cold margarine to be used in the crust.
How do I prepare the topping?
After mixing the flour, sugars, butter, and nuts into crumbs, set aside 1 cup of the mixture to sprinkle over the filling before baking.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the squares.
How long do the pumpkin pie squares need to bake?
Bake them for about 55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is set.
Do I need to add sugar to the pumpkin filling?
No additional sugar is needed for the filling, as the 14 ounces of sweetened condensed milk provides the necessary sweetness.
What spices are used in the filling?
The filling is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of ground allspice.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
You will need 2 eggs to help set the pumpkin filling.
How high should I press the crust up the sides of the dish?
Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom and about halfway up the sides of the baking dish.
Does this recipe contain salt?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt is added to the pumpkin filling to balance the flavors.
What is the best way to cool these squares?
Allow the dish to cool at room temperature first, then place it in the refrigerator to chill thoroughly before slicing.
Can I serve these squares immediately after baking?
It is best to chill them thoroughly first; this ensures peak flavor and makes them easier to slice into clean squares.
What kind of nuts should I use for the crust?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped nuts. Popular choices include pecans or walnuts, depending on your preference.
Can I use evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk?
No, you must use sweetened condensed milk as it provides both the sweetness and the creamy texture required for this specific filling.
Are these squares suitable for a potluck?
Yes, they are ideal for potlucks because they can be easily sliced into generous servings or small bite-sized treats.
How do I know when the filling is properly set?
The filling is set when it no longer jiggles significantly in the center and the crumb topping has turned golden brown.
Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar?
Yes, either light or dark packed brown sugar will work, though dark brown sugar will provide a slightly deeper molasses flavor.
Is there a specific preparation for the nuts?
The nuts should be chopped before being stirred into the crumb mixture.
Can I make these squares ahead of time?
Yes, because they need to be chilled thoroughly, making them a day in advance is actually recommended.
What should I do if I don't have allspice?
You can substitute allspice with a blend of ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg if necessary.
Should I mix the nuts into the filling?
No, the nuts are mixed into the crumb mixture which is used for the crust and the topping, not the pumpkin filling itself.
What is the total count of ingredients for this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients: flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, nuts, pumpkin, condensed milk, eggs, cinnamon, allspice, and salt.
How do I ensure the squares slice cleanly?
Ensure the dessert is fully chilled in the refrigerator. Using a sharp knife and wiping it between cuts can also help.
Can I add other toppings to these squares?
While they are delicious with just the nut topping, they can also be served with a dollop of whipped cream.
Are these considered a seasonal dessert?
Yes, they are perfect for fall gatherings, holidays, or any cozy family dinner.