Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars are a delicious fall dessert made with pumpkin puree, spices, and a sweet crumbly crust they serve 8 people and take about 45 minutes to make. Perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings, these bars are easy and full of cozy flavors.
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🍂Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars Recipe:
- Perfect blend of sweet and spiced pumpkin flavors: These bars combine the richness of pumpkin puree with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, creating a well-balanced, comforting taste that’s perfect for fall.
- Quick and easy to prepare for busy holiday times: With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, these bars are ideal when you’re juggling multiple dishes for Thanksgiving.
- Can be made ahead and stored for later: Prepare these bars a day or two before your event, and they’ll still taste fresh.
- Perfect texture with a buttery crust and creamy filling: The combination of a buttery, slightly crumbly crust with the smooth, spiced pumpkin filling creates a delightful contrast in textures that everyone will enjoy.
🎩 What Is Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars Recipe?
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars are a dessert made from a pumpkin-spiced filling baked over a buttery crust they combine the flavors of pumpkin pie with the ease of cutting into convenient squares, perfect for serving during holiday gatherings.
🎃 Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
Pumpkin Filling:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ½ cup evaporated milk
🥮 How To Make Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, softened butter, sugar, and salt until it forms a crumbly dough.
- Press the dough evenly into a greased 9×9-inch baking pan to form the base. Bake for 15 minutes until the edges are golden, then set aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Add cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice, then mix well. Stir in the evaporated milk until smooth.
- Pour the pumpkin filling over the baked crust. Spread it evenly with a spatula to cover the entire surface.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the filling is set and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.
- Once cooled, cut into bars and enjoy with whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel.
🍁Recipe Tips 🍁:
- Use Cold Butter for the Crust: To create a flaky crust, make sure your butter is cold when mixing with the flour. This helps achieve a better texture.
- Let the Crust Cool: After baking the crust, allow it to cool completely before pouring the pumpkin filling. This ensures the layers stay intact.
- Spice Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. Add more cinnamon or a pinch of cloves if you want a stronger flavor.
- Avoid Overmixing the Filling: Mix the pumpkin filling just until smooth. Overmixing can cause cracks in the bars as they bake.
- Test for Doneness: To check if the bars are done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the bars are ready.
- Cool Completely Before Cutting: Let the bars cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts and prevent crumbling.
🍾 What To Serve With Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars?
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars pair perfectly with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce you can also enjoy them with a cup of hot coffee or tea, making them an ideal treat to end a holiday meal.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars?
- In The Refrigerator: Store leftovers thanksgiving pumpkin bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- In The Freezer: Wrap individual leftovers thanksgiving pumpkin bars in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars?
- In The Oven: Preheat to 300°F, warm leftovers thanksgiving pumpkin bars for up 2-6 minutes.
- In The Microwave: Heat leftovers thanksgiving pumpkin bars on low power for 15-30 seconds.
FAQ’S
Can I make Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars ahead of time?
Yes, Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars can be made a day or two in advance this makes them convenient for busy holiday preparations. Store them in the fridge, and they will stay fresh until ready to serve.
What is the texture of Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars?
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars have a perfect texture, with a buttery and slightly crumbly crust, and a smooth, creamy pumpkin filling. The crust provides a firm base, while the filling is soft and rich, similar to pumpkin pie.
How long do Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars take to bake?
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars usually take about 25-30 minutes to bake at 350°F (175°C) it’s important to check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean, the bars are ready.
What’s the difference between Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars and pumpkin pie?
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars have a thicker, more solid crust compared to the flaky pie crust in pumpkin pie. The bars are also cut into squares, making them easier to serve at gatherings, while pumpkin pie is served in slices.
What type of crust is best for Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars?
The best crust for Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars is a shortbread-style crust made from flour, butter, and sugar. This type of crust is firm, crumbly, and perfectly complements the creamy pumpkin filling.
Can I use a different type of squash in Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars?
Yes, you can substitute pumpkin puree with other squash varieties like butternut squash or acorn squash. Simply cook, mash, and puree the squash before using it in the recipe, though the flavor will slightly vary.
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Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 209
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 3g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 18g
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars
Description
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bars are a delicious fall dessert made with pumpkin puree, spices, and a sweet crumbly crust they serve 8 people and take about 45 minutes to make. Perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings, these bars are easy and full of cozy flavors.
Ingredients
Crust:
Pumpkin Filling:
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, softened butter, sugar, and salt until it forms a crumbly dough.
- Press the dough evenly into a greased 9×9-inch baking pan to form the base. Bake for 15 minutes until the edges are golden, then set aside to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Add cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice, then mix well. Stir in the evaporated milk until smooth.
- Pour the pumpkin filling over the baked crust. Spread it evenly with a spatula to cover the entire surface.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the filling is set and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.
- Once cooled, cut into bars and enjoy with whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel.
Notes
- Use Cold Butter for the Crust: To create a flaky crust, make sure your butter is cold when mixing with the flour. This helps achieve a better texture.
Let the Crust Cool: After baking the crust, allow it to cool completely before pouring the pumpkin filling. This ensures the layers stay intact.
Spice Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. Add more cinnamon or a pinch of cloves if you want a stronger flavor.
Avoid Overmixing the Filling: Mix the pumpkin filling just until smooth. Overmixing can cause cracks in the bars as they bake.
Test for Doneness: To check if the bars are done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the bars are ready.
Cool Completely Before Cutting: Let the bars cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts and prevent crumbling.