Ingredients
– 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
– 15 oz pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
– 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
– 2 eggs, at room temperature
– 2 tablespoons dry milk powder
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
– 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
– 1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
– Pinch of kosher salt
– 2/3 cup salted caramel sauce (plus more for drizzling before serving)
– 1 1/4 cups cold heavy cream
– 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
– 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
– 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
1-First Steps: Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal. This setup ensures your bars come out clean and neat, perfect for sharing at gatherings.
2-Making the Crust: Melt the butter until it’s golden brown for that nutty flavor, then mix it with sugar, vanilla, flour, and salt. Press it into the pan and chill briefly browning the butter really makes a difference, as you’ll see when you taste it!
3-Whisking the Filling: In a bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, eggs, spices, sugar, cream, and more until smooth. Pour it over the crust and swirl in the caramel for that signature look it’s fun to get creative with the swirls!
4-Baking and Cooling: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the center jiggles just a bit, then cool and chill. Remember, chilling helps the flavors meld, so don’t skip that step for the best results.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🧈 Browning the butter adds a rich, nutty flavor to the crust.
🥛 Dry milk powder helps emulsify the filling, preventing a watery texture.
⏳ Bars are done when the center jiggles slightly; be careful not to overbake.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill time: 4 hours
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar