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In the event you’re on the lookout for a scrumptious fall deal with that captures all the comfortable flavors of the season, these Pumpkin Shortbread Bars are a must-try! With a buttery, crumbly shortbread crust and a creamy pumpkin filling topped with toasted walnuts, chocolate chips, and a drizzle of caramel, this recipe has all the appropriate flavors and textures in every chew. These bars are a novel twist on traditional pumpkin pie, providing that very same spiced filling however with the wealthy, crumbly base of a shortbread cookie. Whether or not you’re a pumpkin spice fan or simply within the temper for one thing candy, these Pumpkin Shortbread Bars will hit the spot.
Why You’ll Love this Pumpkin Shortbread Bar Recipe
These Pumpkin Shortbread Bars supply the very best of each worlds: the creamy pumpkin filling you’re keen on in a conventional pumpkin pie, paired with the crumbly, buttery goodness of a shortbread crust. They’re perfect for fall gatherings or as a easy deal with at residence. Plus, they’re straightforward to make forward, retailer effectively, and might even be frozen if you wish to take pleasure in them later. You’ll love how they mix easy elements right into a wealthy, crowd-pleasing dessert without having an entire lot of time or effort.
Components Wanted for Pumpkin Shortbread Bars
That is a straightforward recipe and a lot of the elements you seemingly have in your pantry already! If you wish to double this recipe, use a bigger pan like a 9×13 baking dish. Right here’s all the pieces it is advisable collect up:
For the shortbread crust–
- All-purpose flour – Kinds the bottom of our shortbread dough.
- Granulated sugar – Provides sweetness to the crust.
- Butter – use chilly butter; this helps the shortbread crust kind good, coarse crumbs and maintain up effectively.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances taste.
- Vanilla extract – Provides a delicate trace of taste to the crust.
For the pumpkin filling-
- Pure pumpkin puree – Gives the traditional pumpkin taste we love.
- Brown sugar – Provides sweetness and moisture to the filling.
- Floor Cinnamon and floor nutmeg – Important heat spices for seasonal taste.
- All-purpose flour – Helps thicken the creamy filling.
For the toppings-
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – Provides a contact of wealthy chocolate to enrich the pumpkin.
- Toasted walnuts, chopped – For crunch and nutty taste.
- Caramel sauce – Drizzle excessive for a contact of sweetness. You should use store-bought or home made.
Variations
- Pumpkin Pie Spice – Swap out cinnamon and nutmeg for a premade pumpkin pie spice mix.
- Pecans – Use toasted pecans as an alternative of walnuts for a special taste.
- Dairy-Free – Substitute dairy-free butter and chocolate chips.
- Gluten-Free – Strive utilizing a gluten-free flour mix within the crust for a GF model.
- Extract – Shortbread cookies style superb with almond extract.
Find out how to Make Pumpkin Shortbread Bars
For full recipe particulars, together with ingredient measurements see the printable recipe card on the backside of this publish. Listed below are my step-by-step instructions for making this pumpkin pie shortbread bars:
1. Preheat + Prep Pan
Preheat oven to 325° F. Line an 8×8 sq. dish with parchment paper or foil and spray frivolously with cooking spray. Put aside.
Professional Tip: In case you are taking these Pumpkin Shortbread Bars to a operate of some kind and wish them to look good, I’d suggest lining your 8Ă—8 dish with parchment or foil for simple elimination and ready till they’re utterly cool earlier than eradicating and reducing.
2. Put together the Shortbread Base
In a big bowl, mix flour, sugar, chilly butter, salt, and vanilla extract till the dough kinds. Press evenly into the underside of the pan. Put aside.
2. Make the Pumpkin Filling
In a special giant bowl, whisk collectively pumpkin puree, brown sugar, floor cinnamon, floor nutmeg, and flour. Stir till easy.
3. Assemble the Bars
Pour the pumpkin combination over the shortbread crust and easy the highest creating an excellent layer. Sprinkle nuts and chocolate chips over high and press frivolously into filling.
Drizzle caramel sauce over high of your complete dessert.
4. Bake
Bake the bars for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or till the filling units and the sides flip golden brown.
5. Cool + Serve
Cool Pumpkin Pie Bars utterly earlier than eradicating. Lower into 16 equal squares and serve. (*I occurred to place mine into the fridge and ate a bit chilly and truly most well-liked it that means! So perhaps give {that a} attempt to see for those who’d like that higher than heat or at room temperature.)
Storage + Make Forward Instructions
Retailer any leftover bars within the fridge in an hermetic container for as much as every week.
To Make Forward: Make them the night time earlier than, and retailer in an hermetic container at room temperature or within the fridge.
To Freeze: Wrap the cooled bars tightly in plastic wrap, then retailer in an hermetic container for as much as 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
Extra Pumpkin Dessert Recipes to Strive!
These Pumpkin Shortbread Bars are the proper dessert for fall, combining that creamy pumpkin filling with a buttery shortbread base and candy toppings. Good for any event, these bars are a good way to have a good time pumpkin season with out the effort of a conventional pie crust. Get pleasure from a slice of fall with every chew! Printable recipe card is under, completely happy baking! 🙂
In the event you make this recipe, I might actually admire it for those who would give it a star score and depart your assessment within the feedback! You probably have an image of your completed dish, publish it on Instagram utilizing the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
Pumpkin Shortbread Bars
These Pumpkin Shortbread Bars are to the proper vacation dessert! They’ve a buttery shortbread backside and are topped with chocolate chips, walnuts, and caramel.
Notes
These are superb served chilled as effectively!Â
Vitamin
Energy: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 2g | Fats: 9g | Saturated Fats: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 2g | Trans Fats: 0.2g | Ldl cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 3758IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg