Irresistible Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars: Your Ultimate Fall Dessert

The crisp air of autumn brings with it a symphony of flavors, and for many, nothing quite captures the essence of the season like pumpkin. While the classic pumpkin pie holds a cherished spot at holiday tables, sometimes you crave that iconic taste in a more convenient, delightful form. Enter these incredible Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars – a perfectly portable and utterly delicious answer to your pumpkin cravings. Imagine all the warmth, spice, and creamy goodness of your favorite pumpkin pie, nestled beneath a buttery, crumbly topping and an equally delectable crust. These bars aren’t just a dessert; they’re a celebration of fall in every bite, offering a delightful twist on a beloved tradition that’s easy to make and even easier to devour. They truly serve pumpkin pie as a small handheld treat, ideal for any time your pumpkin craving strikes.

My journey into the world of alternative pumpkin desserts began, somewhat unconventionally, with a family tradition. As I mentioned when sharing my pumpkin cheesecake recipe, my dad has a firm rule: no pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. While some might see this as a limitation, I’ve always viewed it as an exciting challenge – an opportunity to explore the vast and wonderful universe of pumpkin-inspired treats during the other 29 days of November (or any month, really!). This unique family quirk has driven me to create a diverse range of pumpkin delights, ensuring that the beloved flavor of pumpkin is never truly absent from our dessert rotation.

Over the years, I’ve had a blast experimenting with various pumpkin interpretations. From charming small pumpkin pies that are just right for a personal indulgence, to adorable mini pumpkin pies perfect for portion control, and even an eggless pumpkin pie for dietary needs, I’ve covered a lot of ground. My culinary adventures have also included delightful pumpkin pie cupcakes and decadent mini pumpkin cheesecakes. Each creation offers a different texture and experience, but all share that unmistakable, comforting pumpkin essence. Now, it’s time to introduce another fantastic addition to this pumpkin pantheon: the Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bar. This recipe has been on my mind since last year, and I’m thrilled to finally bring it to life, especially seeing that canned pumpkin is thankfully abundant – perhaps the “shortage” of 2015 was just a clever way to make us appreciate it more!

Why These Pumpkin Crumb Bars Are Your New Favorite Fall Dessert

What truly sets these Pumpkin Crumble Bars apart, making them an instant favorite in my kitchen, is their ingenious simplicity and incredible flavor. First, let’s talk about efficiency: you don’t need to whip up a separate crumb topping! The magic lies in using a portion of the dough from the base for the delightful, buttery crumbs that crown these bars. This smart technique not only saves time and dishes but also ensures a cohesive flavor profile between the crust and the topping, creating a truly harmonious dessert experience.

Beyond their clever construction, the taste of these bars is simply extraordinary. They genuinely capture the essence of a classic pumpkin pie, delivering that familiar blend of sweet pumpkin and warming spices, but with a wonderfully different textural dimension. Instead of a traditional flaky pie crust, you get a tender, crumbly base that perfectly complements the creamy, spiced pumpkin filling, topped with even more satisfying crumbs. It’s the best of both worlds: the beloved flavor of pumpkin pie combined with the irresistible texture of a crumb bar.

These bars are incredibly versatile. They’re perfect for casual snacking throughout the day, a welcome treat with your morning coffee, or a delightful addition to any fall gathering. And if you’re planning your Thanksgiving feast, these Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars offer a brilliant solution for dessert. If you’re like many who love to offer a variety of desserts, these handheld delights allow your guests (and you!) to savor the taste of pumpkin pie without committing to a whole slice, leaving plenty of room to sample other sweet offerings. Their square form makes them ideal for serving alongside other treats, providing a neat and delicious option.

Crafting the Perfect Pumpkin Crumb Bar: Tips and Tricks

Developing this recipe involved combining the best elements of tried-and-true techniques. For the foundation, I adapted the sturdy and delicious base from my other successful crumb bar recipes. This ensures a reliable, buttery crust that holds up beautifully to the moist filling. For the star of the show – the pumpkin filling – I turned to a classic for inspiration: Libby’s traditional pumpkin pie recipe. It provides the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, delivering that authentic pumpkin pie flavor we all know and love.

However, I made a thoughtful adjustment to the filling that I believe enhances convenience without sacrificing flavor. Many traditional pumpkin pie recipes call for evaporated milk, but I often find myself with an opened can and only a small amount used. To avoid this waste and streamline the process, I successfully substituted heavy cream. Not only does this provide a rich, luxurious texture to the filling, but it also means one less specialty ingredient to worry about, making the recipe even more accessible for home bakers. The result is a filling that is wonderfully smooth, creamy, and bursting with all the familiar notes of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove.

The beauty of these bars truly lies in their ability to capture the complex, comforting flavors of a full-sized pumpkin pie in a much more manageable, individual serving. Each square is a perfect miniature representation, packed with all the seasonal goodness you could wish for. These Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars are a testament to how slight adaptations can lead to wonderfully delicious and practical dessert solutions.

Enjoy Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars Anytime, Anywhere

While they make an undeniable splash during the holidays, there’s absolutely no need to reserve these delightful Pumpkin Crumb Bars exclusively for Thanksgiving! The beauty of this recipe is its versatility and year-round appeal. As soon as pumpkin season officially kicks off – typically in early fall – these bars are the perfect way to embrace the seasonal flavors. Their comforting spices and rich pumpkin taste are ideal for cozy autumn evenings, crisp afternoon snacks, or sharing at potlucks and bake sales. They instantly evoke feelings of warmth and festivity, making them a go-to treat throughout the cooler months.

But why stop there? If you’re someone who finds yourself craving the comforting taste of pumpkin pie even in the height of summer, these crumb bars are your new best friend. Unlike a traditional pie that feels decidedly autumnal, the handheld, less formal nature of these bars makes them a fantastic dessert any time of year. Keep a stash of canned pumpkin in your pantry, and you’re always just an hour away from enjoying this spiced, sweet goodness. They are a delightful reminder that your favorite flavors don’t have to be confined to a specific season.

Optional Enhancements and Serving Suggestions

For those who love a little extra texture and flavor, consider adding nuts to your crumb topping. Finely chopped pecans or walnuts would be a fantastic addition, lending a delightful crunch that pairs beautifully with the soft filling and buttery crust. If you’re a fan of nuts, you might also want to check out the Pumpkin Pecan Pie Bars from If You Give A Blonde A Kitchen for a slightly different take on this concept.

When it comes to serving, these bars are wonderful on their own, but a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream can elevate them to an even more decadent experience. The cool, creamy topping provides a lovely contrast to the warm, spiced pumpkin. Be sure to let them cool completely before slicing – this is key to achieving clean, beautiful bars. Once cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to a week.

Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars

Yield:
12-16 bars

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
40 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour

Serve pumpkin pie as a small handheld treat with Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars. They taste just like pumpkin pie and can be made any time your pumpkin craving strikes.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces or 8 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
• 1 egg

Pumpkin Pie Filling

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground clove
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream or evaporated milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375F degrees. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
3. With a pastry cutter or two forks, cut in the butter until the pieces look like pebbles then cut in the egg. Dough will be crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup for the topping and pat the rest into the bottom of the pan.
4. For the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, and salt. Whisk in the egg and pumpkin until smooth then whisk in the cream and vanilla.
5. Pour the filling into the pan over the crust then crumble with the reserved 1/2 cup dough on top. Bake 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and looks set when given a gentle shake. Cool completely before cutting. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to one week.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipes