Description
These Delicious Pumpkin Bars with Brown Sugar are the perfect fall treat, combining warm spices, rich pumpkin flavor, and a soft, moist texture. Ideal for dessert or a cozy snack, these bars bake up beautifully with a delicate crumb and a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature for baking the pumpkin bars.
- Prepare the Pan: Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides for easy removal of the bars later.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Pumpkin: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the canned pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet pumpkin mixture using a spatula, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the pumpkin bar batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform baking.
- Bake: Place the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully cooked.
- Cool Bars: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to control sweetness and spices.
- Make sure butter is softened but not melted for the best texture when creaming with sugars.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the bars tender.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting for clean slices.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Pumpkin bars, fall dessert, pumpkin recipe, brown sugar, baked pumpkin treat, autumn baking, spiced pumpkin bars
