Pumpkin Pie Bars

Or pumpkin blondies. Or pumpkin brownies. Truthfully, my intent was for these to be pumpkin blondies without a leavening agent so that they would have more of a dense, brownie texture. However, upon eating one, I really think that the flavor and texture is most similar to a pumpkin pie, minus the crust and with a cinnamon-sugar mixture sprinkled on top. Not too shabby a result, if I do say so myself. They are actually very reminiscent of the consistency and texture of the Blackberry Pie Bars that I made back at the beginning of summer. You could toss that crust under this recipe and be even closer to a true pie bar!

I started my search for this recipe by looking for pumpkin blondie recipes – I wanted something that had the same feel and texture of a brownie, and not cakey like a cookie bar, so I wanted to eliminate any baking soda or baking powder. My search turned up empty. So I set out on my own creation. I took a few of my favorite brownie recipes and compared the ratios of flour to eggs and chocolate, knowing that the pumpkin would account for some of the eggs and chocolate in terms of liquid in the recipe. And this is what I came up with. It’s definitely not cakey, nor does it have that fudgy texture that most brownies have, but rather they really do taste like pumpkin pie!
And, on a side note, I finally broke down and bought a bag of candy corn. I try to not even have a bag in the house because I can’t stop eating it!
Enjoy the pumpkin bars! :)
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More Pumpkin Bar Desserts:
- Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal Crumb Bars
- Pumpkin Blondies
- Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Pumpkin Pie Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2½ teaspoons (2.5 teaspoons) cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt
- 1 cup (227 g) butter, melted, (8 ounces )
- 2 cups (440 g) dark brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 15 ounces (425.24 g) canned pumpkin
For the top:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9×13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on both sides.
- 2. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt; set aside.
- 3. In a large bowl whisk together the sugar and butter. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk until combined. Add the pumpkin and whisk until thoroughly combined. Add the flour mixture and, using a rubber spatula, gently stir or fold the flour into the pumpkin mixture until just combined.
- 4. Scraped the batter into the pan and smooth the top. In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and cinnamon, and then sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a thin knife inserted into the center has just a few moist crumbs on it. Cool completely and then, using the parchment as handles, lift out of the pan and cut into 24 squares. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!



I just made these and must say the addition of some chopped toasted almonds to the sugar topping adds a really wonderful textural (and flavor) element!
These are AMAZING!! i make them with sweet potato instead of pumpkin. a total crowd pleaser!! thank you so much for making these!
I made these today. Yummy!! I did pumpkin pie spice in place of the other because that’s what I had on hand. Taste great!! I had to bake a little longer, mine were a little doughy but once the set up they are perfect. I’m taking to work for a party tomorrow. ( if I have any left)
thanks for sharing.
My friend made these last night and they are amazing. is there any way to make this and cut out some of the butter?
Hi Sabrina, I’m pretty much an “all things in moderation” type of eater, so I don’t cut butter out of recipes, just eat them a little less often, or maybe a smaller piece. To give you a definitive answer, I would have to re-test the recipe with adjusted butter amounts, which I haven’t done. If you do some experimenting let me know how it goes!
So I’ve decided to go through all your recipes week by week. Today I tried these and they turned out great. Talk about a portable pumpkin pie straight to your belly. No need for a fork or knife. I am truely loving your blog. Especially that I’m a full blooded Italian as you. Way to go for Italians that love to cook and bake.
Do you think it would change the bake time? Or still 30 minutes?
I added an 8ox package of cream cheese. What do you think? It’s in the oven now, I’m kind of nervous…
It sounds delicious! Let me know how it turns out!
They turned out well with the cream cheese, I think it added something. But the middle didn’t bake super well, it might need to bake longer next time. Definitely love the cream cheese addition though.
My mom made a batch of these yesterday, adding a cup of chocolate chips and subbing whole wheat pastry flour for the white flour. Oh my goodness! Super delicious, moist, and not at all cakey. A friend watched our kids last night and confessed to us that she ate two big servings of them before she realized what she was doing. A definite make-again, although we might experiment with subbing applesauce for a portion of the butter to reduce the fat a bit.
Have you considered taking the crust from your peach crumb bars and using this as a filling? I think if you put the cinnamon/sugar on top of the crust crumbles it could be very yummy. I sell a lot of fruit crumb bars at the farmers market and am looking for something fall-ish to sub for fruit. Apple and Cherry are to die for – may try pumpkin next. Then maybe pecan??????????????????
Hey there!
The recipe looks amazing and I can not wait to try it tomorrow with my family!
Can you please tell me do I need to buy canned pumpkin?
Hi Meg, Canned pumpkin is the easiest, although if you have fresh pumpkin you can puree it, just be sure to remove as much extra liquid as possible.
So if I wanted to use a crust under this recipe, which one would you recommend the most from the ones on your site, and how long/what temp would I have to bake it for? Thanks! Love your site!
Hi Chelsea, I would recommend the crust from the Peanut Butter & Jelly Pie Bars: https://www.browneyedbaker.com/2011/06/10/peanut-butter-jelly-bars-recipe/
These are in the oven RIGHT NOW! So excited!
So yummy did these on my blog!
Just made some and they came out delicious!!! I had been trying other recipes but this was by far the best! it’s a keeper for my recipe book! :)
Hi Elda, so honored to have a permanent place in your recipe book!
These were delish! Really does taste like the inside of pumpkin pie. Perfect! I did need an extra 10 minutes for baking in a glass Pyrex pan. But it was well worth the wait. Thanks for posting!
You’re welcome Carrie, thank you for the review! So glad you enjoyed them!
I just made these and they are awesome! They are exactly what I’ve always wanted in a pumpkin blondie. Hats off to you for coming up with this winner. It is a recipe that I know I will make time and again.
Thank you Lisa, so happy you liked these!
Holy cow, this is a WINNER! Pumpkin is not my favorite, but these bars are wonderful. My family loves them. These bars have been requested in the lunchbox – the ultimate compliment. If you ever do a cookbook, this recipe must be included. Thanks for sharing!
Nothing beats lunchbox treats! So glad you and your family enjoyed these!
Wow these look great. I love the generous amount of cinnamon. Candy corn is something I can’t stop eating either…clean diet or not!
These looks heavenly! I love the idea. Some pumpkin things don’t have enough pumpkin flavor, and I bet these do. And I know just what you mean about the candy corn! I love the little pumpkins. Way too much.
Just wanted to say that in the baking theme of the week for pumpkin I made a Sour Cream Pumpkin Coffee Cake. It is yummy! It’s like coffee cake with a pumpkin pie layer in the middle, with a brown sugar hazelnut streusel topping.
I should include a link to the recipe: http://bakingbiologyandblogging.blogspot.com/
Kristen, That looks fabulous! Thank you for sharing!
Oh these sound and look delightful! I myself CAN NOT buy candycorn..I would eat them all!!!
Made them this weekend, and absolutely loved them. Dense, moist, pumpkininy! Honesty made one batch and they are gone already, need to make another batch!
I love when baked goods get gobbled up quickly – sure sign that they’re a winner! Glad you and your clan loved these so much!
I just made these and they are everything they are described to be. I used a local organic pumpkin that I roasted, but everything else was per the recipe. My wife and are I in heaven right now!
Jason
Woo! Thanks for sharing Jason, I’m glad you two are enjoying the bars! And love that you roasted your own pumpkin!
Yum…you know I LOVE pumpkin ANYTHiNG!!! These look awesome!
Oooh! I love pumpkin, and have been on a bit of a binge with it! This sounds like a great recipe to add to my Fall folder!
I just made these and they were heavenly! Thank you so much!
Yay! You’re welcome, so happy you liked them!
This recipe is perfect timing! I am about to roast two small pumpkins and wasn’t sure if I was going to use it or freeze it. Now I know.
Jason
You rock, Michelle!! Thanks so much for getting so creative and coming up with this recipe. I can’t wait to try them!
Oh yum. These sound divine!
Some pecans sprinkled on top would be awesome as well. :)
Sometimes I make pumpkin pie without the crust – so it’s more like a pumpkin pudding. Different, and very delicious too!
It looks delicious!!! ^_^