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.
Marlene says
Hoping you see this and I know this is such a stupid question but do you take out the 1 cup of cake mix before you mix the base?
Julie Evink says
Yes.
KAREN CALEY says
Delicious! I goofed and melted the butter in the topping, so instead of a crumble topping it was more like another layer of cake. But it was still crispy and super yummy! Not sure it needs the extra sugar in the topping though.
Julie says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! You can definitely cut back the sugar next time if you’d like!
Mary says
I really dislike when someone critiques a recipe when they have made changes, but I am about to do that. Instead of using 3 tsp.of cinnamon, I used 2 then added cloves and ginger and nutmeg. I used half white and half brown sugar for topping. If I made this again I would reduce sugar in filling and topping. It was too sweet for me, but it was an easy recipe.
Julie says
Glad you enjoyed it, you could definitely lessen the sugar next time if that is your preference.
Jeanne Allie says
This looks perfect. Wanting to bring it to an event where finger food best. Do you need a fork to eat th or can i it be eaten with the fingers, like brownies?
Julie says
They are easier to eat with a fork, they might not be the best finger food!
Debbie says
I only have pumpkin pie filling on hand in a can. How do I adjust the middle layer? I used to make something similar and my dad loved it. Lost the recipe so this will make a 93 year old man very happy!
Julie Evink says
I would leave the spices out in that layer. I know the pumpkin pie filling is sweetened but I’m not sure how much so maybe reduce the brown sugar a bit.
Liza Shaw says
The pumpkin layer is very soft compared to the top and bottom. Seems like it needed an extra egg or something.
Julie says
Hmmm, I haven’t had that issue. I’m sorry it wasn’t up to your liking!
Susan A says
I think it’s too much butter on the bottom. Try reducing to 1/4 c. Worked better for me on top and bottom with 1/4 c.
Hope says
Made this for a party. There were tons of desserts but no one touched anything besides this! It’s sooooo good! I like it more than any pumpkin pie
Julie says
Perfect! I’m so glad they were a hit!
Rhonda says
No cake mix in my pantry, was hoping for a scratch recipe
Julie says
Sorry, Rhonda!
Stacy says
Can you use angel food cake instead of yellow cake mix?
Carolyn williams says
Yummy
Julie says
Glad you liked them!
Janet K Schwandt says
Thank you! I used to make this recipe 50 years ago and moving across country lost the recipe I had cut out of something. My husband of 55 years has been asking for this for years and is currently sitting here as happy as a Lark with a big square in front of him. Thank you , thank you, THANK YOU!
Julie says
You’re welcome!! I’m so glad you found it!
Jennifer says
These bars were SCRUMPTIOUS!!!! Everyone LOVED them…a definite keeper recipe!!! Thanks, Julie!
Julie says
You’re welcome! So happy they were a hit!
Rachael says
These are so delicious. It’s a different twist on your typical pumpkin bars. I love them fresh out of the fridge.
Julie says
So glad you enjoyed them! Yes! They are fantastic chilled!
Cathi S. says
These are delicious !!!
I will make them again.
I had to bake them 80 minutes,
not the 55-60 recipe stated.
Worth the wait !!
Julie says
So glad you enjoyed them!
Nessa says
Can you use a white cake mix?
Julie says
It will change the flavors just a bit but I think you could give it a shot! Let me know how it turns out!
Julie says
Forgot another adjustment I made…I used 2 tsp cinnamon and one tsp pumpkin pie spice in the filling, and about a half tsp cinnamon in the topping. Mmmm!
Julie says
So glad you enjoyed them!