Pumpkin Pie Bars

 

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Pumpkin Pie Bars offer a cozy, spiced treat with a perfect crust-to-filling balance.

Pumpkin Pie Bars quietly capture the essence of autumn. The sweet aroma of cinnamon and clove fills your kitchen as they bake, evoking memories of cozy gatherings. These bars strike a perfect balance between a crumbly, buttery crust and a smooth, spiced filling. The cinnamon adds warmth, while the cloves bring a hint of intrigue, making each bite a gentle reminder that fall has arrived.

Preparing these bars introduces a satisfying texture contrast. The solid crust cradles a velvety pumpkin center, creating a delightful interplay of crunch and creaminess. One insightful technique is to reserve some dough for the topping, ensuring a delightful crumbly layer that adds a textural surprise to every square. Cooling them completely before slicing not only ensures cleaner edges but also allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

These bars are meant for sharing, their inviting aroma drawing folks into the kitchen. They offer a lovely change from the traditional pie, translating familiar flavors into an easy-to-handle form. Serve them at gatherings or as a simple treat with afternoon coffee. Your guests—young and older adults alike—might just sneak back for seconds.

Ingredients

For the crust and topping:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature

For the filling:

1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin pie mi,x not puree

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Grease an 8x8-inch square baking dish and line it with parchment paper.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, the brown sugar, the baking soda, the baking powder, the cinnamon, the cloves, and the salt.

Add the melted butter and mix until a crumbly dough forms.

Reserve 3/4 cup of the dough mixture for the topping.

Press the remaining dough mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Combine the pumpkin pie mix, the egg, and the vanilla together in the bowl of a stand mixer or using a hand mixer until well-combined.

Pour the filling over the crust in the baking dish.

Sprinkle the top of the filling with the reserved dough mixture.

Bake until the topping is golden brown, about 28-32 minutes.

Allow to cool completely in the pan.

Cut into squares and serve.