With a deliciously spiced pumpkin pie on the bottom and buttery swirled cake topping these super EASY Pumpkin Pie Bars will be your favorite holiday dessert! Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, and any day perfect!
Just before we left for England in early November, I made this Pumpkin Pie Dessert Bars for my family. I was planning to post this earlier but because of the family emergency we had, everything, naturally, had to take the backseat.
Nonetheless, at the back of my mind, I haven’t forgotten about this truly delightful recipe and made sure to post this at least before Thanksgiving.
Besides, who says pumpkin desserts are only for Fall or Thanksgiving? I love pumpkin-based desserts so much, I don’t even mind having them during the hottest days of summer – so for me, every season is a good season for Pumpkins!!! Agree? 🙂
I discovered this super-easy and super-yummy dessert – and yes, it’s really super – in the cookbook made by the ladies of our church in Holland, Michigan.
I remember reading quite a few delicious-sounding recipes for fall there and thought it was about time I tried them out! It’s only been 10 years since I had a copy of that and I have barely scratched the surface when it comes to making the yummy recipes there – although I have tried quite a few which have become a staple in our household.
After trying this (I must confess I had a few slices!!!), I have been blaming myself for not making this years ago!! My kids totally loved these pie bars and had a few slices between them, too! Oh, well better late than never.
Doesn’t it look so good? I get sweet cravings every time I see this dessert!
The photos above and below are versions without the nuts added. The recipe below adds that option if you like a bit of crunch!
What are the ingredients to make yummy Pumpkin Pie Bars
(Scroll down for the recipe card for full instructions and to print the recipe.)
- 1 can (15 oz) solid-pack Pumpkin puree
- 1 can (12 oz) evaporated Milk
- 3 Eggs
- 1 cup Sugar
- 3 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 package (18 3/4 oz) Yellow Cake Mix
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- 3/4 cup Butter, melted
How do you make these Pumpkin Pie Bars?
Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan. In a mixing bowl, combine the first five ingredients – pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, and pumpkin spice.
Mix all the ingredients until well-blended.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan.
Sprinkle with the dry cake mix and the chopped nuts, (if using). The nuts are optional.
Drizzle all over with butter. Using a butter knife make a swirly pattern on the cake.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until a tester inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve warm with ice cream on top, if desired!
What I love is the ease of preparation, hardly any, really. It’s similar to a dump cake in a sense. The only major mixing involved is simply combining the pumpkin puree with the pie spice, sugar, milk and eggs.
After that, it’s really just spooning everything in the baking dish! I did swirl the topping a little bit to create a lovely texture and to make it look quite pretty as you can see above although pardon the late afternoon photo which, I think, did not do much justice to the pretty cake!
Easy-peasy deliciousness indeed!
Anyway, as you can see it is crazy easy that even my children can do this on their own. And it’s unbelievably DELISH!!!
So, if by chance you want to try a different dessert for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year, I totally and absolutely recommend this!!!
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Pumpkin Pie Dessert Bars
Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz) can solid-pack Pumpkin puree
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated Milk
- 3 Eggs
- 1 cup Sugar
- 3 tsps Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 (18 3/4 oz) package Yellow Cake Mix or Spice Cake Mix
- ½ cup pecans or walnuts, coarsely chopped
- ¾ cup Butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan. In a mixing bowl, combine the first five ingredients – pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, and pumpkin spice.
- Mix well.
- Transfer to the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle with the dry cake mix and the chopped nuts, (if using).
- Drizzle all over with butter. Using a butter knife make a swirly pattern on the cake.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until a tester inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve warm with ice cream on top, if desired!
Nutrition
Last updated on September 12th, 2023 at 02:45 pm
Yes, I can see making these lovely pumpkin bars every month of the year! They look delicious!
Works well with a gluten free cake mix, such as Pamela’s…
Author
That’s good to know! Have to try that! Thanks!
Do you totally mix the cake mix into the liquid? I’m guessing not as you need to have some of the crumbly topping show through once baked.
Author
No. Just mostly on top.
Could these be made using a Spice Cake Mix?
Author
I haven’t used a spice cake mix because I already add pumpkin spice and a lot of it and I wonder if that would be too much spice if you used a spice cake mixture. Perhaps it’s worth trying though. Let us know. Thanks!
No, it’s the perfect amount of spice!
Author
That’s great to know Carol! I will make this next time with pumpkin spice and add the exact same amount. Thank you!
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe decrease amount of the pumpkin pie spice.
Author
Yes, if you are using a spice cake. Regular cake mix – the amount of 3 teaspoons is perfect. Thanks and enjoy.
Author
Yes, I have received feedback from our Facebook page that it’s delicious with spice cake, too.
I made it with spice cake tuned out great everyone loved it and had to bake for about a hour and 10 minutes
Author
Yay! So glad you enjoyed this and thank you so much for letting us know.
Do you think you could use sweet potatoes instead of pumpkin? This looks so good, but I’m a sweet potato lover.
Author
You could certainly try and let us know. Thanks!
Yes you can! I’ve also used butternut squash to make this.
Does it freeze well?
Author
To be honest, I haven’t tried it because we always finish it and share it with friends, if there are left-overs. I personally think, it’s better fresh but who knows? If you try it, let us know. Thanks!
I’ve made this recipe and froze half into snack size squares. Put them on a baking sheet with wax paper underneath and they froze well, then next day transferred the squares in a air tight container and its been in freezer 3 weeks already… If they are visible to my family they won’t last that long lol Making different treats and freeze, so there is a variety available for school/work snacks and for when I am not up to bake, it unthaw pretty quickly and tastes great with no freezer burn. Thanks for the recipe! Its a keeper for sure!
Author
Thank you for the feedback Dina! So glad you and your family enjoyed this. I usually make it a few times during fall as it’s our favorite, too. Thanks for the tip on how to freeze these bars as well – that’s very helpful!
I cannot find pumpkin purée in any store.I find cans of pumpkin,same thing??
Author
Yes, canned pumpkin puree is what I use. Use your favorite brand. Enjoy!
Can you use sugar free sweetener instead of sugar?
Author
I have not tried this with a sugar-free sweetener so I’m not sure how it would turn out. Perhaps use a sweetener that does a cup for cup measure. Anyway, do let us know ’cause we’d love to know if it works. Thanks!
I made this turon with coconut sugar and it turned out perfect!
Can I use whole milk instead of evaporated
Author
That should be fine. Evaporated milk is creamier and has more flavor but regular whole milk should be fine, too. Enjoy.
Do you think I could use sweetened condensed milk and omit sugar
Author
This recipe is good as is. I am not sure how this would turn out with that much amount of condensed milk added in place of the sugar. It may turn out soggy or be sickly sweet, my guess. But if you decide to try, please let us know.
I love how easy this pumpkin treat is to make!
Oh yum! These pumpkin pie bars are the perfect sweet treat for fall time! 🙂
Wow! What a delicious and easy to make pumpkin treat! These pumpkin pie bars would be perfect on my Thanksgiving dessert table. YUM!
Such beautiful dessert bars! Definitely perfect for sharing during the holidays. That top looks amazing.
I love how easy these are! The perfect fall dessert for snacking or to have on hand for football food too!
Oh Abby these pumpkin bars look so good! The ingredient listing looks similar to a dump cake recipe I have, but as bars which would be perfect to take to a holiday party or for watching football. Can’t wait to try!
These bars are just perfect. I love this recipe. It sounds like something that my kids will love. I have a nice batch of pumpkin puree in my fridge. I am going to try this soon.
The yellow cake mix was a surprise. These pumpkin pie bars are delicious!
Is it 3/4 cup butter?
Author
It’s 3/4 cup. Don’t know why it didn’t print right but thanks for asking. Enjoy.
What if your yellow box cake isn’t 18ounces. A lot of GF mixes aren’t 18oz.
Author
I haven’t done this with a gluten-free cake mix so I cannot give you an answer for that but if it’s me I would try adding extra cake mix to make it 18 oz. Remember that this is for a 9×13 pan so if you have less base (which is the cake mix) it may not work unless you opt to just adjust baking time and amount of pumpkin. Up to you. Hope that works.
Oh. My. Gosh! This is amazing. My family devoured it, and I am planking to make it again at a thanksgiving. Thank you!
Author
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it! It truly is crazy good. You can even add some crushed nuts on top if you like that. That’s so yummy, too! Thanks for letting us know.
Have you added nuts to the topping? Walnuts or pecans?
Author
Yes, it’s also yummy that way. Pecans are my fave but walnuts should be good, too!
I’m gonna make this for Easter looks so yummy
Author
Thanks and hope you enjoy this Karen!
These pumpkins bars are so yummy. They are good cold or warm with a little cool whip on top.
Author
Yay! So glad you liked it. Thanks for kindly letting us know. Appreciate it much.
1. Had 29 oz can of pumpkin purée
2. Same size pan as in recipe
3. Used 1 can evaporated milk & 1 can sweetened condensed milk
4. 1 cup sugar
5. 3 eggs
6. 4 1/2 tsps pumpkin pie spice
7. 15.3 oz yellow cake mix
8. 1 cup melted butter
9. 350 temp for 1 hr 3/4 hrs.
Came out great. More of a pumpkin pie with a cake-like topping. Which is just fine with me.
Did not want to waste any of the pumpkin.
Author
Yay! I’m glad it worked for you. I have to try this when I have the bigger pumpkin can. Thank you!
You said you added nuts . Do you add them on top before baking.
Author
Yes. I add the nuts with the topping so before baking.
Going to try these this weekend for a get together! Btw our family is from the states but we had the pleasure of staying in Manila for a couple weeks several years back while adopting our daughter Beautiful country and people!
Author
Hope you like these bars! Glad you have a lovely time in the Philippines. Thanks for stopping by.
Just made this and the pumpkin part is holding together but kinda watery at the same time? Not sure why.
Author
Sorry to hear that. That never happens to me and I’ve baked this many times already every fall. Perhaps it wasn’t baked long enough? Because oven heating and temperature varies the suggested time may have to be adjusted slightly perhaps a bit longer until the pumpkin portion has fully set. At any rate, if it holds shape and doesn’t disintegrate – just chill it completely (a few hours at least) before slicing and that should help firm it up. It’s a soft kind of bar and not hard at all though it holds its shape well. Hope that helps.
Do you need to refrigerate this after you make it??/
Author
I usually refrigerate it after I’ve made it. Enjoy!
I made this with condensed milk and no sugar
Author
Thanks for letting us know. That sounds good, too!
How can I make this low carb ?
Author
I’m not sure how to do that – if you can find a yellow or spice cake that’s both gluten-free and sugar-free (or reduced-sugar at least) and maybe use sugar substitute but I don’t know if this would make it taste as delicious as the original dessert. Please bear in mind that even if you make homemade pumpkin puree for this – it still has carbs. Perhaps this dessert is not a good candidate for making it low-carb but you can try and hope it works.
can I use 2 round cake pans. instead like to make tonight
Author
If you can manage to divide it well with the layers intact then no problem. Just adjust baking time.
I made these last night, they are easy and delicious…I love all your recipes
Author
Aww. So glad you enjoyed these yummy pumpkin bars! Thank you so much for letting us know.
This sounds delicious AND easy… exactly what I was looking for! Silly question – are these more like bars; can they be eaten without a fork (like a brownie)?
Author
Because of the pumpkin component it would be softer than a brownie so I would suggest eating with a fork. I promise, it is delicious!
Omg, this has become my husband’s favorite dessert. I have been making these pumpkin bars every week for the last month. It is so easy to bake, He said it’s like pumpkin pie, just so much better. It’s not too sweet. I added extra pecans, so I can get that crunch in every bite. When I make it for my parents, I don’t put nuts and it’s still very delicious. I’m making this for Thanksgiving. I better print out the recipe, I’m sure they will want a copy of it.
Abby, Thanks for the recipe.
Author
Yay! So glad that you all enjoyed this! It’s absolutely delicious with or without the nuts! Thanks for letting us know.
The first picture looks like you added packed BROWN sugar??
Author
There is brown sugar in the recipe for sure. But I always make it as written in the recipe. They’re all the same batch of photos – just some were cropped close-up. Hope that helps.
I found this recipe on Pinterest last week and decided to make it for Thanksgiving day which is tomorrow. I purchased all the ingredients and just now as I was reading off the recipe to start making it I read some of the comments someone asked you if that was brown sugar she saw in the picture in the bowl. You said you do use brown sugar, but the recipe says just one cup of sugar. So how much brown sugar do you use and how much white sugar do you use? Also, is it light brown sugar or dark brown sugar? Very confusing really wanted to make these for tomorrow but don’t wanna mess them up. Please let me know soon.
Thank you
Author
Hi Nancy, it doesn’t matter what sugar you use. I usually use brown sugar but if you use white – it’s fine too. That’s why I simply mentioned sugar because there’s no need to distinguish. Hope that helps. Please refer to the photos on the step by step, if that helps. This will always come out delicious no matter what color sugar you use. Enjoy!