Made with a graham cracker and toasty pecan crust, these creamy pumpkin pie bars are irresistible. Like pumpkin pie, but so much easier!
I’m a pumpkin purist. I prefer my pumpkin spice in basic form. Treats like pumpkin cake, pumpkin bars, pumpkin bread, pumpkin roll, pumpkin muffins, and… pumpkin pie bars! Specifically with a toasted pecan/graham cracker crust and a dollop of fresh whipped cream on top. Or, if I’m feeling fancy, the topping from pecan pie cheesecake is also fantastic here! These bars are smooth, pumpkin-spiced, and simply divine. They’re easy to make and easier to eat.
Before we get started, let’s clarify. These are not pumpkin bars—pumpkin bars are the bar version of pumpkin cake. This recipe is the bar version of pumpkin pie. The more you know!
Pumpkin Pie Bars vs Pumpkin Pie
These easy pumpkin pie bars taste like pumpkin pie, but let me try to convince you that they’re *even better* than pumpkin pie. (If that’s even possible!)
- These treats are handheld so they’re perfect for gatherings, parties, etc.—anytime forks and plates aren’t really convenient! (Same goes with mini pumpkin pies. I love handheld treats.)
- None of the fuss of traditional pie crust.
- Wait time is cut in half because they cool down a lot quicker than pie!
- 1 pan makes 18–24 bars, so you’ll feed more hungry tummies.
- 4-ingredient toasty pecan graham cracker crust. Enough said.
There are two components to pumpkin pie bars: the crust and the filling. Both come together in a matter of minutes with basic baking ingredients.
Upgraded Graham Cracker Crust
This isn’t your typical graham cracker crust. Today’s pumpkin pie bars feature a delicious from-scratch crust made with pecans, graham crackers, a little sugar, and melted butter. Process the nuts + graham crackers together to break down the nuts, then add the sugar + butter to combine. A food processor makes all this a breeze. Press tightly into a 9×13-inch pan, then pre-bake for a few minutes. Under direct heat, the pecans take on an incredible toasty flavor. I guarantee you’ll only want pumpkin pie with this crust from now on. That’s a bold statement!
Make the Easy Filling
The filling comes together quickly and is similar to the filling in my great pumpkin pie recipe. It’s sweetened with brown sugar for superior flavor and thickened with heavy cream and a touch of cornstarch. Eggs help the filling set and the rest of the filling ingredients are for flavor… spices, vanilla, pumpkin! You can absolutely use homemade pumpkin pie spice here.
Pour the filling right into the pre-baked crust. No need to wait for it to cool.
My Pumpkin Pie Bars Secret Ingredient
If you’ve tried my pumpkin pie, you’re familiar with my 1 secret ingredient: black pepper. It’s bizarre, but totally works. I got this tip from the genius kitchen crew over at King Arthur Baking. And I’m forever grateful!! A pinch of black pepper turns your pumpkin pie (or, in this case, pumpkin pie bars) into the BEST pumpkin pie (bars). And no one will know it’s there! They’ll all go nuts for the deeply spiced flavor, and that spiced flavor, my friends, comes from black pepper.
Trust me.
More Fall Grab-and-Go Treats
If you’re looking for a few other convenient fall desserts, I’ve got you covered. These are some of my very favorite treats to bring to football parties, girls’ nights, friendsgiving, and to any other fall events where simplicity is crucial:
- Pumpkin Spice Truffles
- Apple Blondies
- Mini Pumpkin Pies
- Pumpkin Spice Toffee
- Apple Pie Bars (with Salted Caramel!)
- Pecan Pie Bars
When it comes to pumpkin, keep it simple! These bars or any of the above recipes would also be a welcome addition to your lineup of Thanksgiving pies. Pies can be time consuming, and we can all use an easy alternative now and then!
Print
Easy Pumpkin Pie Bars
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Yield: 18-24 bars
- Category: Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Like pumpkin pie, but so much easier! Made with a graham cracker and toasty pecan crust, these easy creamy pumpkin bars are irresistible.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 and 1/2 cups (180g) graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full-sheet graham crackers)
- 1/2 cup (62g) chopped pecans
- 2 Tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
- 5 Tablespoons (71g) unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 1 can (15-ounce; 425g) pure pumpkin
- 1 cup (200g) light or dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons store-bought or homemade pumpkin pie spice*
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- optional for topping: whipped cream and chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper with enough overhang on the sides to easily remove the bars from the pan. Set aside.
- Make the crust: Using a food processor, pulse the graham crackers (or crumbs) and pecans together into crumbs. A few larger pieces of nuts is OK. Add the sugar and melted butter and pulse until combined. Press tightly into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared baking pan. Pre-bake crust for 12 minutes. Leave oven on.
- Make the filling: Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or simply using a whisk) beat/whisk all of the filling ingredients together in a large bowl until smooth. Pour into warm crust.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes or until the center is no longer jiggly. Remove from the oven, set on a wire rack, and allow to cool completely. Once cool, cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days. Remove chilled bars from the pan using the overhang on the sides and cut into squares. Bars are best served chilled.
- Top with whipped cream and chopped pecans, if desired. Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: The filling can be made, covered, and refrigerated for up to 3 days before pouring into crust and baking. Cooled pie bars freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Pumpkin: I prefer canned pumpkin, not fresh pumpkin puree in this recipe. I typically use Libby’s brand. Fresh will work in a pinch, but these pie bars are tastier and more firm with canned. Do not use pumpkin pie filling.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: You can find pumpkin pie spice in the baking aisle of most grocery stores or make your own homemade pumpkin pie spice. If you don’t have either and want to use individual spices, use 1/2 teaspoon each: ground allspice and ground ginger AND 1/4 teaspoon each: ground nutmeg and ground cloves. This is in addition to the 1 teaspoon of cinnamon—you will still add that. If using my homemade spice blend, which includes black pepper, you can leave out the black pepper in the recipe above.
- Crust Without Pecans: You can leave out the pecans in the crust, but you will need more graham cracker crumbs and butter. Add 1/4 cup extra graham cracker crumbs (2 full sheets/30g) and 1 more Tablespoon (14g) of melted butter. Pre-bake as directed.
- Non-US Readers: Don’t have graham crackers where you live? Use 200g ground digestive biscuit crumbs (about 2 cups; 13–14 biscuits), 3 Tablespoons (38g) granulated sugar, and the same amount of pecans and butter. Pre-bake for 14-15 minutes.
Keywords: pumpkin pie bars
This is a great recipe that we have made three times in the last three months. It freezes well allowing us to pull some bars from the freezer and have for dessert. It is just wonderful. This time I opted for the Caramel Pecan Pie Topping and the topping takes this pie to a whole new level.
Thank you so much for creating these bars and testing them. I always have supreme confidence with Sally’s recipes exactly how they are described. You are one of the few that I can fully trust. Everyone else is an adventure.
★★★★★
My 7YO just asked me to make pumpkin pie! Even though it’s January I need to make it happen because he usually says “I don’t like pumpkin pie.” Unfortunately, I don’t have a food processor. I know this won’t be the same but would you recommend I mix the crust by hand or with a spoon? Thank you!
Hi Susan, absolutely, you can mix it by hand with a wooden spoon or spatula, just make sure your graham crackers are very finely crushed and that the chopped as small as possible. Hope your son enjoys it!
This recipe is amazing! I didn’t have graham crackers, so I used Golden Oreos with the filling remove…and Omgosh I’m in heaven. Thanks for this tasty treat! My family loves it!
★★★★★
I’m making these right now and am confused, You say 1c of pumpkin, but also say a 15oz can. A 15oz can has closer to 2 cups so….which is the appropriate amount? Obviously, I won’t know before these are done, but I’d like to know which was your intention. thank you.
Hi Kati, you’ll want 1 can (15-ounce; 425g) pure pumpkin for this recipe.
Just an extraordinary recipe. I have never had a pumpkin dessert that was nearly this good. My family thanks you. I thank you. Your team is the best ever.
★★★★★
I need to make a “pumpkin pie” for Thanksgiving. I have to make it in an Airstream oven which is tricky as the oven doesn’t cook like a regular oven.
I am wondering if substituting the heavy cream for evaporated milk would ruin the recipe?
Thanks!
Hi Mary! We’ve tested evaporated milk in our pumpkin pie recipes and it just doesn’t compare to heavy cream for texture and flavor.
Hi, Sally, I have made these for meetings last year, and people love them! I want to make a smaller batch, 9×9 pan. I know how to scale everything down. Would you recommend a shorter baking time for the crust, and also a shorter baking time for the bars? Thanks!
Hi Janet, You will need a shorter bake time but we unsure exactly how long they will take. Keep your eye on them and bake until the center is no longer jiggly.
Huge hit in our household, and so easy. My husband is saying not to bother with pumpkin pie again!
★★★★★
I had a bunch of molasses cookies from America’s Test Kitchen I needed to use up, so I used them instead of graham crackers and holy moly, it was the best pumpkin thing I’d ever eaten. The filling is exactly the right texture. Easy to pick up, rich, luscious, and so dang good! I’ve been dreaming about making these again for like, two years and I’m finally making it happen.
★★★★★
A friend of mine is allergic to cinnamon but desperately wants to try something pumpkin. I know that cinnamon is such a prominent flavor in pumpkin pie, but is there a way to leave it out, possibly? Could you increase one of the other spices instead for a similar result? Thanks for any suggestions.
Hi Amanda, absolutely, you can swap out the cinnamon for more of on of the spices in pumpkin pie spice. Taste will vary a bit depending on which spice you choose, but they all pair wonderfully with pumpkin. Enjoy!
Have you ever replaced butter with ghee?? Sugar with Monk Fruit? I have to make some changes for myself and am wondering if this will work???? Love your recipes
Hi Sandy, we haven’t tested those substitutions in these pumpkin pie bars but let us know if you do!
Hello Sally and Company,
Quick question: do you think this pumpkin filling would work with a shortbread crust like the one used for Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars?
Also, thanks for everything I’m so grateful for you guys!
Hi Susan, You can definitely use the shortbread crust from my lemon bars in this recipe. Don’t skip pre-baking. Both this recipe and the lemon bars require it. Pre-bake the shortbread crust for about 15 minutes (at 350°F (177°C)).
Do the heavy cream and eggs need to be room temperature? I’m trying to make sure I get everything perfect as I’m making them for couples date night at church tomorrow night Sally’s recipes never disappoint!!
Hi Maria! It doesn’t matter much for this recipe – cold or room temperature will both be fine!
Can this be 1.5x for thicker bars?
Hi Sean, we haven’t tested that. It may take quite a long time for thicker bars to bake through but let us know what you try!
Delicious crust and filling! And I can’t wait to try them again but with chocolate chips as one comment suggested!
★★★★★
My husband is not a huge pumpkin fan but he gives these bars a 10! Great idea on the pepper, Sally. I love how it elevates all the spices.
I froze the bars, and defrosted them in the refrigerator. Unfortunately, the crust is now soggy (it wasn’t when I baked them). I let them cool completely before freezing them. Is this normal? Is there a way to save them?
Hi Beth, There are a few reasons that could have happened. If the bars were not 100% cool or not wrapped tightly when frozen, condensation could have gotten in. Also, be sure to keep the bars covered while thawing in the refrigerator so that any condensation that forms will stay on the outside. These are easy fixes for next time! To fix this one you can certainly try to cover the top with aluminum foil and place back into the oven for 10-15 minutes on a lower rack.
Thank you Stephanie. I didn’t wrap them individually, but put them in a Rubbermaid container. Next time, I’ll wrap them individually as well. They were still delicious, everyone loved them, and I’ll definitely make them again!
★★★★★
My family LOVES these pumpkin pie bars! I used evaporated milk, instead of heavy cream, and they turned out perfect!
Hi,
I would like to make these pumpkin pie bars for Thanksgiving this year. What can I substitute for the cornstarch?
Thanks!
Hi Agatha, All-purpose flour is the next best option.
Thank you! Would I include 1 tablespoon of flour to replace 1 tablespoon of cornstarch or more?
Thank you in advance.
Agatha
These are amazing! I made them tonight for Thanksgiving, and had a hard time only eating a nibble. What is the best way to freeze these? Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer bag or in a freezer safe container? I’m a little worried about them sticking to the plastic wrap, but if I use plastic wrap, should I take them out before defrosting so the plastic doesn’t stick?
★★★★★
Hi Beth! So glad you enjoyed these pumpkin pie bars. For freezing, I recommend freezing in a single layer if at all possible first. Once they’re frozen, you can then line them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer container or wrap individually with plastic wrap. For thawing, you can thaw if they’re stacked between sheets of parchment but if you’re concerned about some of the filling sticking, remove parchment and arrange in a single layer to thaw in the refrigerator. Or unwrap each from plastic wrap and thaw in the refrigerator.
Hi! The filling for these bars is PHENOMENAL. I tested the recipe out and my family loved them plus it was so quick/easy!
If I double the crust recipe for next time would I still prebake for 8 mins or double the prebake time?
Hi Nilu, so glad these bars were a hit! The crust bake time would likely be a bit longer but we’re unsure of the exact time needed. Let us know if you give it a try!
These were terribly disappointing as I had high hopes. As another commenter mentioned, the crust is not crisp at all….,quite soggy. I even baked a couple minutes longer as Sally recommended. Give me an actual piece of pumpkin pie anyway over this.
Can I use half and half ?
Hi Diana, we don’t recommend any subs for heavy cream – it’s a must for these bars. Half-and-half or milk wouldn’t set up the bars properly.
When I made this without heavy cream, I googled ‘sub for heavy cream’ and selected a link to 10 substitutions. I used a combination of milk, yogurt and butter for a Five Star result.
This recipe is a winner!!! We all loved it and will be making it for Thanksgiving for sure!!
★★★★★
I’ve been an avid fan of the recipes dating all the way back to when “Thank You, Betty” cookie brownies were first published (I HIGHLY recommend this recipe!). However, this particular recipe was atrocious. It was very bland in taste and underwhelming. I ended up throwing them out to the animals. I will continue to make her recipes, except for this one.
★
That strange as I use basically the same recipe for my pies and my family and friends can’t wait every year . Bland not one bit !
That is unfortunate. There was a reason for the lack of flavor, but don’t blame the recipe. I used the pumpkin pie spice substitution recommended and it was perfectly spicy. Maybe your spices were too old. Or you have qualified for membership in my club of absent minded bakers.
Make sure your spices are reasonably fresh, avoid distractions and try the recipe again. It’s one of our favorites.
Can you substitute sweet potatoes for the pumpkin?
Hi Deborah, we haven’t tested it ourselves, but yes, you should be able to use sweet potato puree in place of the pumpkin here. Enjoy!
Perfect! You are so right. It’s easy and better than Pumpkin Pie! Not sure what the negative commenter did wrong but its delicious! Thanks! Phyllis
★★★★★
Husband loves them, but I wonder if they are too soft, should I be able to stack them without them getting stuck to eachother?
Hi Priscilla! These bars are just like smooth, soft pumpkin pie in bar form and would be best stored without stacking. You could try layering them with parchment paper in between them, but they may stick a bit.
I didn’t have heavy cream, so I used almond milk with olive oil instead of the cream. And I didn’t have graham crackers, so I used dark chocolate wafers. It turned out great. So delicious!
I would place the bars on a tray, with space between, and freeze them, then most likely place in a container and defrost unwrapped.
What portions of olive oil and almond milk did you use instead of heavy cream in the pumpkin bars?
What’s thr amount of Almond milk and Oliver oil that you used. PLUS I would like to know if I can use Coconut Milk???????
Hi Cutty, We don’t recommend any subs for heavy cream– it’s a must for these bars. Half-and-half or milk wouldn’t set up the bars. We haven’t tested them with a non-dairy alternative but you can try full fat (the kind in a can) coconut milk (of course the flavor would be different).