Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Bars
Pumpkin pie bars with a buttery crust, creamy spiced pumpkin filling, and a drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce. This desserts ready in about 65 minutes layers (190g) all-purpose flour, (67g) brown sugar, (170g), cold and cubed unsalted butter into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (67g) brown sugar
- 3/4 cup (170g), cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 1 cup (245g) canned pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar for caramel
- 3 tbsp (43g) unsalted butter for caramel
- 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
- Step 2: In a food processor, pulse 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup (67g) brown sugar, and 3/4 cup (170g) cold cubed unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 3: Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup (245g) canned pumpkin puree, 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth.
- Step 5: Pour the pumpkin filling over the baked crust and return to the oven for 30 minutes, or until the filling is set around the edges but slightly wobbly in the center.
- Step 6: While bars bake, make the salted caramel: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar, stirring constantly until it dissolves and turns a deep amber color, about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 7: Carefully whisk in 3 tablespoons (43g) unsalted butter until melted and smooth, then slowly whisk in 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream until combined. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon sea salt flakes.
- Step 8: Allow bars to cool completely, then drizzle the salted caramel sauce evenly over the top.
- Step 9: Refrigerate for 1 hour before cutting into 16 squares and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Bars take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Bars?
Desserts desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
