These bars are great, but you have to like pumpkin. It is more of a soft bar than hard bar since the pumpkin is mixed with cream cheese. I have no idea where I got this recipe from but years ago I had gotten butterscotch chips and wanted to make a dessert with it and this is the dessert I ended up with. At the time I was not a fan of pumpkin but everyone else seemed to enjoy the recipe. Now I have seemed to grow into liking pumpkin and think this recipe is great. I do believe the bars are better the day after once they have completely cooled.
Pumpkin Pie Bars
Yields: 24 bars | Prep Time: 30 minutes | Total Bake Time: 50 minutes
1 and1/3 cup flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) cold butter
1 cup old-fashioned oats, uncooked
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
3 eggs
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground allspice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons bourbon
½ cup butterscotch chips for sprinkling on topHeat oven to 350°F. Line 13×9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides; grease foil. Mix flour, 1/4 granulated sugar and brown sugar in medium bowl; cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in oats and nuts.
Reserve 1 cup oat mixture; press remaining onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15 min.
Beat cream cheese, remaining sugar, eggs, vanilla, bourbon, pumpkin and spice with mixer until well blended. Pour over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture and butterscotch chips.
Bake for 25-35 minutes: cool 10 min. Use foil to transfer dessert from pan to wire rack; cool completely.
Maddie says
November 1, 2010 at 8:28 amThese look incredible! And somehow, having a pumpkin bar is so much less guilt-inducing than having a slice of pie. (What can I say? I’m good at rationalization. 🙂 )
My Kitchen in the Rockies says
November 1, 2010 at 10:24 amSure we like pumpkin! Who wouldn’t?
The bars look wonderful. What a treat.
E says
November 1, 2010 at 11:03 amThis look absolutely amazing!!!
Privet and Holly says
November 1, 2010 at 1:47 pmI think a dinner of Chicken Picatta
followed by a dessert of these
bars might just cure whatever
ails you!! Thank you for sharing
these delicious-sounding recipes!
xx Suzanne
Design Elements says
November 1, 2010 at 1:53 pmdevine! pumpkin pie with vanilla extract!
Lael Hazan says
November 2, 2010 at 7:18 amWhat a great idea! I know what I’m making with the kids for a Thanksgiving treat. I’m sure they will go over well.
Stitchfork says
November 2, 2010 at 2:36 pmPumpkin always tastes better this time of the year — especially since you added bourbon, cream cheese and vanilla to yours! Cathy
Damaris @Kitchen Corners says
November 2, 2010 at 7:17 pmand here I was thinking, convincing myself that I was all sugured out. Nope!
This look great.
Mary @ Delightful Bitefuls says
November 2, 2010 at 8:49 pmUmm, these look A-MAZE-ing!!! Bookmarked! Great blog!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets says
November 6, 2010 at 10:45 pmThese look fantastic! I love everything pumpkin flavored and these look like a wonderful way to enjoy pumpkin pie flavors in a different and exciting form. Thanks, also, for the sweet comment on my blog :). Have a great night!