Description
Delightful pumpkin bars featuring a crunchy graham cracker crust, spicy pumpkin filling, and a buttery walnut streusel topping, perfect for an autumn treat or festive dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
For the crust:
- 12 graham crackers, crushed
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
For the filling:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
For the streusel:
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to ensure it is ready for baking the pumpkin bars.
- Prepare crust: In a 9×13-inch pan, combine crushed graham crackers and melted butter. Mix thoroughly and press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan to form the crust. Set aside.
- Make filling: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the eggs and sugar until combined. Add the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix all ingredients well until smooth.
- Assemble filling: Pour the pumpkin filling evenly over the prepared graham cracker crust in the pan.
- Prepare streusel topping: In a clean bowl, mix flour and brown sugar. Cut in the cold cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cinnamon and chopped walnuts to complete the topping.
- Add topping: Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the pumpkin filling in the pan.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Allow the pumpkin bars to cool completely before slicing into bars and serving. Enjoy your delicious treat!
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit the walnuts or substitute with seeds such as pumpkin seeds.
- Use fresh pumpkin puree instead of canned for a fresher flavor, if available.
- Ensure butter for the streusel is cold to create a crumbly texture.
- Press the crust firmly to prevent it from crumbling when slicing.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
