Print

Chewy Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Chewy Pumpkin Bars Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 24 reviews

Chewy Pumpkin Bars are a delightful fall dessert featuring a perfect balance of warm spices, rich pumpkin flavor, and a satisfyingly chewy texture. This easy-to-make recipe yields moist bars ideal for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Bars

  • 1 cup (240g) pumpkin puree, pure and unsweetened
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup (150g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves)

Optional Topping

  • 1/2 cup (100g) white chocolate chips, melted for drizzling
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, to sprinkle on top

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the bars out easily after baking.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract; mix until fully combined and smooth.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined to maintain a chewy texture.
  4. Bake ‘Em Up: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, starting to check at 25 minutes to avoid overbaking.
  5. Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes. Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out, then cut into squares. Drizzle melted white chocolate and sprinkle cinnamon on top if desired.

Notes

  • Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to avoid extra sugar and spices.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars chewy and tender.
  • Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to prevent crumbling.
  • Check bars early during baking to avoid dryness from overbaking.
  • For variations, consider adding chocolate chips, nuts, cream cheese swirl, maple glaze, or dried fruit.
  • Can substitute half the brown sugar with coconut sugar for a lower sugar option.
  • Replace half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce for reduced fat.
  • Gluten-free flour blend can replace all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version.
  • Use a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 2.5 tbsp water) and vegan butter to make it vegan.

Nutrition

Keywords: chewy pumpkin bars, autumn dessert, spiced pumpkin bars, moist pumpkin dessert, pumpkin pumpkin bars

Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/chewy-pumpkin-bars-recipe/