Pumpkin Spice Bars

These Pumpkin Spice Bars are delicious!  These little gems taste just like pumpkin pie without all the work.  The bottom layer is a cake mix.  The center has all the ingredients of a pumpkin pie and the topping is a little of the bottom mixed with some nuts.  With a dollop of whipped cream garnished with cinnamon sugar, these little babies are ready for any dessert tray or party.

With October upon us, it is time for all things pumpkin.  I have so many wonderful recipes to share with you this month.  Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are a favorite, Pumpkin Bread and Pumpkin Crumble Muffins with a cream cheese filling are all in the works for my blog this month.  If you are anything like me, October is busy already and it is only the second day!

 How To Make Pumpkin Spice Bars

1.  The best thing about these Pumpkin Spice Bars is how easy they are.  They have three parts, crust, filling and crumble topping. Each one is simple and quick.  Start by preheating the oven to 350°.

2.  For the crust, you need to place a yellow or spice cake mix into a bowl.  I used a yellow cake mix because I do not like an over abundance of spice flavor, but if you love lots of spice, be my guest. Add the melted butter and eggs and then mix with a spoon.  When completely mixed, it should look like dough. Reserve a cup of the crust for the crumble topping.

Reserve a cup of the crust for the top.

3.  Grease a 9 X 13 pan and use your hands to push the rest of the crust dough evenly over the bottom of the pan.  One of my favorite hacks is using a piece of plastic wrap to help even everything out.  I use my hands to push the dough around into the corners. Then I use the plastic wrap to even out the crust as best I can. This second step really evens everything out.

4.  The filling is made with pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, evaporated milk and pumpkin pie spice.  All the exact ingredients used to make a pumpkin pie.  Beat the eggs until light and yellow.  Add the pumpkin puree, sugar and spice.  Mix well.  Pour the evaporated milk into the mixture and use your beaters to create a smooth filling.  Pour over the crust.

5.  Put the reserved cup of crust in a bowl.  You want to make sure your butter is somewhat softened at this point. Cut the butter into small chunks. Add the nuts, sugar and chunks of butter to the reserved crust.  Mix well with your hands or a pastry blender.  Then sprinkle evenly on top.

6.  Put the pan in a 350° oven for 60 minutes.  I know 60 minutes sounds like a long time, but remember you are making pumpkin pie!  If you are worried, check at 50 minutes.  I like the crumble topping to be a golden brown. You might like a lighter topping, but the filling will be set at 50 minutes.

7.   I like to serve these Pumpkin Spice Bars cold.  Any pan I want to cool, I place on a cooling rack and wait until I can place my hand safely on the bottom of the pan.  At this point, I put whatever I have made in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap.

8.  Cool completely or serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.  The bars in this photo were cooled over night before slicing.

Here are some of my favorite products when making Pumpkin Spice Bars.

Let me know on Instagram or Pinterest if you make this.
  Post a picture and tag me @dinasdiner.  I want to know how it turns out.

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