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Pumpkin Pie Bars

Pumpkin pie bars with a buttery shortbread crust and smooth spiced custard filling, baked until just set with a slight wobble. Cool and chill for clean bar slices, then serve with piped whipped cream and a cinnamon dusting.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
cooling 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For shortbread crust
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup powdered sugar
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
For pumpkin pie filling
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
  • 2 can (12 oz each) evaporated milk
  • 4 eggs
  • 1.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp ginger
  • 0.25 tsp cloves
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp vanilla
For serving
  • 1 Whipped cream

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and crust
  1. Preheat the oven to 425F and line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper.
  2. Combine the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and salt, then cut in the cold unsalted butter until the dough just holds together.
  3. Press the crust firmly and evenly into the pan, then bake for 15 minutes until pale golden.
Fill and bake
  1. Whisk the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, granulated sugar, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, salt, and vanilla until smooth.
  2. Pour the filling over the hot crust.
  3. Bake at 425F for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350F and bake 25 to 30 more minutes until the filling is set with just a slight wobble in the center.
Chill and serve
  1. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 hours.
  2. Cut into bars and serve with whipped cream.

Notes

Pro tip: Whisk until fully smooth before pouring to prevent grainy custard. Store bars in the refrigerator up to 4 days, covered; freeze up to 2 months (thaw in the fridge overnight) for best texture. For a lighter option, use evaporated milk labeled “lite” or replace half with low-fat milk if you want a slightly less rich custard.