Pumpkin Dessert Bars
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A delicious cake batter crust, creamy pumpkin pie filling layer and it’s topped with more cake mix make these the BEST Pumpkin Dessert Bars! This easy recipe will be your new favorite fall dessert. Don’t forget the whipped cream on top of these and a sprinkle of cinnamon to really top.
I have my traditional Frosted Pumpkin Bars that are great for feeding a crowd, bringing to potluck and more, but these Pumpkin Dessert Bars are a different twist.
They start with a base made out of cake mix, have a creamy pumpkin middle and are topped with a cake mix crumble.
If you are looking for a simple Thanksgiving treat go ahead and make these. It’s a twist on pumpkin so if you are tired of plain old pumpkin pie these would be perfect. Plus, the ingredients are all normal and I’m guessing you will have most, if not all, of them in your pantry!
Why this recipe works:
- Base crust is made from a cake mix making it easy to make.
- Creamy, delicious pumpkin filling in the middle.
- Topped with more cake mix, butter and sugar.
- So easy to make ahead of time so perfect for when hosting.
Ingredients Needed
- Yellow Cake Mix
- Eggs
- Butter
- Pumpkin
- Milk
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Sugar
Make sure you use plain pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling. They are not the same thing.
Steps to Prepare
- Preheat the oven. Grease a 9×13 cake pan.
- Mix together the base ingredients and press into the bottom of the cake pan.
- Mix middle ingredients and pour it over the base.
- Next you will combine the topping until it’s crumbly. Sprinkle it over the cake.
- Bake 50-60 minutes.
Storage
If there are leftovers it’s best to refrigerate them. Eggs, canned pumpkin, etc. refrigeration is best and leftovers will keep longer.
More Pumpkin Recipes!
- Got a large crowd to feed? Try these easy Pumpkin Bars with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting!
- I can never get enough of this Earthquake Pumpkin Cake.
- Keep it traditional with this super easy Pumpkin Pie for the holidays.
- There’s nothing like a warm slice of Pumpkin Bread. Take it up a notch and add Chocolate Chips!
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars are rich and creamy with a delicious graham cracker crust.
- Cinnamon Frosted Pumpkin Cookies are Soft, Chewy Pumpkin Cookies Topped with Light and Fluffy Cinnamon Frosting!
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Pumpkin Dessert Bars
Ingredients
Base
- 15.25 oz Box Yellow Cake Mix Reserve 1 c. for topping
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/2 c. butter meted
Middle
- 15 oz pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 c. milk
- 1/2 c. brown sugar packed
- 3 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla
Topping
- 1 c. yellow cake mix That you reserved
- 1/2 c. butter softened
- 3/4 c. sugar
Instructions
- Preheat 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 inch cake pan and set aside.
- Mix base ingredients well and press into prepared cake pan. Make sure to set aside 1 c. of cake mix for topping.
- In a mixing bowl mix middle ingredients well and pour over base.
- In a small mixing bowl mix topping ingredients until they are crumbly and sprinkle over middle layer.
- Bake 50-60 minutes or until it is golden brown and middle is set.
Julie says
Flavor was great. I used less sugar in the filling, and the topping. Also, in the topping I used 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup Erythritol. I think there is too much butter in the topping, so next time I’ll decrease the butter, and maybe add some flour and/or chopped walnuts or pecans. Worth keeping and trying again.
Beth Lee says
I love this layered pumpkin bar idea. It’s almost lunch here and now I want to start with dessert first! Thanks for a great recipe.
Julie Evink says
You’re welcome enjoy!
Sarah says
These were a huge hit a coffee hour at church! Thanks for sharing.
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed them!
Sarah McCool says
Oh. My. Goodness! I made these with my homemade pumpkin butter because I didn’t have plain pumpkin puree and they are ah-mazing!!!!
Julie Evink says
Oooo I’ve gotta try that now!
Dolly says
Do these freeze well?
Michele says
Can you substitute the sugar with applesauce?
Julie Evink says
I have never tried it this way so I can’t guarantee the results!
Jenna Bates says
I’m always substituting applesause in place of water and or oil and vanilla coffee cream in place of milk in pumpkin recipes and adding cinnamon and vanilla! So, I’ll try it in place of the sugar and let you know if they still come out the same!
Melissa Howell says
Love this super easy dessert idea! My family would love it!
Julie Evink says
Yes they would!
Valentina @Valentina's Corner says
Ultimate Pumpkin Bars for sure. My kids are going to love making these together.
Julie Evink says
That sounds like a blast!
Malinda says
I have got to try these!!!! They look sooooo good!!
Julie Evink says
To die for!
Danielle Green says
Well, these simply look amazing! Will be making them soon!
Julie Evink says
You won’t regret it!
Deborah W. says
This sounds so good! I am making it today! Yum!
Julie Evink says
Enjoy!
Kaulana says
Does your orgasmic pumpkin square reipe use regular milk or evaporated milk? Most other pumpkin square recipes call for evaporated milk. Yours just says “milk”. Can I use ⅔ cup regular whole milk?
Julie Evink says
I used fat free milk. I’m not sure how whole milk would work, I would think it would be fine, but I’ve never tested it.
Kaulana says
Thank you for your reply Julie! My Orgasmic Pumpkin Bars came out delicious but I think I have to cut the baking time in my oven to only 50 min because I baked it for 60 min and the bottom cake portion came out really dark and almost burnt. Can’t wait to make it again for my family!!!! They LOVED it! Thanks again for your delicious recipe!
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed them!
Debi @ Adorned From Above says
These look delicious. Happy Thanksgiving. I have a link party called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party and would love to have you share this with everyone. Here is the link to the party.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/11/mason-jar-center-piece-and-wednesdays.html
Debi @ Adorned From Above
Debi
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Orgasmic is right, lol. Love these!!!!
HungryLittleGirl says
Oh this really sounds orgasmic!
I would love to have you share this and/or any other recipe of yours at Wednesday Extravaganza – my Link Party with a special something and a Giveaway this week. Here is the link:
http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/1/post/2012/11/wednesday-extravaganza-5-giveaway.html
Can’t wait to see you there 🙂