Chef notes
As soon as the fall season rolls around, the craving — no, more like the longing — for cozy, gooey treats strikes. But baking is a laborious task, and, let’s be honest, we’re not always going to be down to make a full pie. That’s where this quick and easy pumpkin bar recipe comes in.
These sweet and savory little squares deliver big on dessert magic. Brown sugar, pumpkin puree and butter are always a winning combination, so putting them all together guarantees a reliable yet invigorating dessert.
This recipe is a case study in working smarter not harder. The crust doubles as a crumb topping, so the whole thing comes together in virtually no time. Another bonus of this pumpkin pie dupe is that by turning it into bars, everybody can enjoy a smaller portion, leaving room for more desserts to join the party. (Though, we’re not stopping anyone from coming back for seconds.)
Bring these squares to a dinner party, a holiday gathering or a book club meeting. Regardless of the occasion, pie bars are surely an appropriate addition — they’re both fun and sophisticated enough that your giftees will be impressed from the moment you take the cover off the container.
Technique Tip: If you don’t have an offset spatula, a metal spoon is a great tool for spreading the filling over the pie base.
Swap Option: If you’re not a fan of pumpkin or pumpkin pie filling, apple butter would make an amazing swap here.
