Y’all, get ready to take your tastebuds on a wild ride with these Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars! These babies are about to rock your world with their insanely rich, decadent flavors that’ll have you coming back for more. We’re talking velvety pumpkin pie filling, an epic spiced cookie crust, and a smooth, creamy topping that’ll make your taste buds explode with joy. This recipe is an absolute must-try – trust me, you’re gonna want to make a double batch!
Why You’ll Love This Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars
These Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars are the ultimate fall treat that’ll have you craving them all year round. The combination of the spiced cookie crust, the smooth and creamy pumpkin pie filling, and the irresistible topping is an absolute flavor explosion in your mouth. Plus, the velvety texture and eye-catching presentation make these bars the ultimate showstopper. Whether you’re serving them at a party or just treating yourself, these Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars are guaranteed to blow your mind and have everyone begging for the recipe.
Ingredients
To make these Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars, you’ll need a few key ingredients, including butter, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree, spices, and a bit of flour and cornstarch to create that perfect texture. Trust me, once you have all these amazing flavors combined, you’re in for a real treat!
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened – for the rich and indulgent cookie crust
- 1 cup packed brown sugar – to add that warm, caramelized flavor
- 2 large eggs – to bind the pumpkin pie filling together
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree – the star of the show, delivering that velvety pumpkin goodness
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – to create the perfect crumb texture in the crust
Ingredient Substitutions
- Brown Sugar: You can use coconut sugar or maple sugar for a refined-sugar-free option (they’ll give a similar deep, rich flavor)
- Gluten-Free: Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend to make these Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars gluten-free
How to Make Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars
Alright, let’s get down to business and make some EPIC Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars!
Step 1: Prep Work
First, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease up a 9×13-inch baking pan. Then, let’s get started on that insanely delicious cookie crust. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Gradually stir in the flour, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt and nutmeg until a smooth, pliable dough forms.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Now it’s time to build these babies up! Press the cookie dough into the prepared pan and bake for 15-18 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and irresistible. While that’s happening, let’s whip up the pumpkin pie filling. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and a touch of vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Once the crust is baked and cooled, pour the pumpkin pie filling over the top and smooth it out evenly. Back into the oven it goes for another 20-25 minutes, until the filling is set and absolutely divine. Finally, let’s add the finishing touch – a creamy, dreamy topping that’ll make these Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars truly out-of-this-world. Spread a layer of sweetened whipped cream over the top, then chill the whole pan in the fridge for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to set up perfectly.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Crunchy Texture: Sprinkle some chopped pecans or walnuts over the cookie crust before baking for an extra layer of crunch and flavor
- Cream Cheese Twist: Swirl in a dollop of cream cheese to the pumpkin pie filling for an extra rich and creamy twist
- Caramel Drizzle: For an indulgent finishing touch, drizzle the chilled bars with a homemade caramel sauce
- Powdered Sugar: Dust the tops of the bars with a light coating of powdered sugar for a beautiful, bakery-style presentation
Serving & Storage
Serve with: a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of toasted nuts.
Storage: Store the Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Reheat: These bars are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. You can briefly reheat individual slices in the microwave if desired.
Make-Ahead: You can make these bars up to 5 days in advance and store them covered in the fridge until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
These Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars are definitely a rich and indulgent treat, but they also pack a nutritional punch. The pumpkin puree provides a good source of vitamin A, while the whole grains in the cookie crust offer a boost of fiber. So go ahead and enjoy these epic bars, guilt-free!
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Protein: 5 g
- Carbs: 42 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned pumpkin instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Canned pumpkin puree works perfectly fine in this recipe. Just make sure to avoid the pre-seasoned pumpkin pie filling, as you’ll want to control the spices yourself.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
You sure can! Simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend or use a combination of almond flour and oat flour. The texture may be slightly different, but the flavor will still be out of this world.
How long do these bars need to chill before serving?
For the best texture and flavor, I recommend letting the Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or even overnight. This allows the filling to set up nicely and the flavors to meld together.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! These bars actually get even more delicious after a day or two in the fridge. You can make them up to 5 days in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
How do I know when the filling is fully baked?
The pumpkin pie filling is ready when the center is almost set, with just a slight jiggle in the middle. Keep a close eye on it towards the end of the baking time to prevent overbaking.
Try These Next
- Velvet Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake
- Spiced Honey Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars With Nutty Crust
- Creamy Pumpkin Spice Mac N Cheese Bake
Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of fall with these Velvet Pumpkin Spice Delight Bars, a perfect blend of pumpkin, spices, and a creamy frosting.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, then mix in the pumpkin puree.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined.
6. Spread the batter into a greased 8×8 inch baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
7. Let the bars cool completely before frosting.
8. For the frosting, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth.
9. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and cut into squares.
Notes
These bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
For an extra touch, sprinkle some cinnamon on top of the frosting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pumpkin, dessert, bars, fall