Pumpkin Pie Bars with Shortbread Crust

Close up of a stack of two pumpkin pie bars topped with a dollop of whipped cream on a white serving plate.

5 from 3 votes

These easy pumpkin pie bars have everything you love about pumpkin pie but with a simple shortbread cookie crust! No rolling required.

Prep Time15

Cook Time55

Cooling Time2

Total Time3 10

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: Servings

Calories: 160kcal

Author: Meredith

Equipment

Ingredients

Crust Ingredients

1 Cup all-purpose flour
¼ Cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
½ Cup COLD salted butter

Filling Ingredients

1 , 15oz can 100% pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
1 , 12oz can evaporated milk
2 large eggs
1 + ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
½ Cup granulated sugar
½ Cup brown sugar

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Optionally line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Make the shortbread crust by whisking together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, and salt) in a medium mixing bowl. Add the cubed and COLD butter to the crust and cut it in with a pastry cutter until the mixture is crumbly.
Press the crust into the 9x13 pan and prebake. Be sure to press the mixture into an even layer, then bake for 15 -18 minutes until lightly golden.
While the crust is baking, make the pumpkin pie filling. Add the eggs to a large mixing bowl and whisk to break up the yolk. Then add the evaporated milk and pumpkin. Whisk to combine. Add in both sugars and the spices and whisk to combine.
Pour the filling into the hot crust and bake the pie bars for 40-50 minutes until the center is mostly set (a little jiggle is fine!).
Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting. Begin by cooling them to room temperature (about 1 hour), and then transfer them to the fridge to cool completely (at least 1 more hour, minimum).

Video

Notes

Tips for Making The Best Pumpkin Shortbread Bars

Don't overbake. The center should be *just a little bit* jiggly when you remove the bars from the oven. They will continue to cook as the bars begin to cool down.

Remember to not to cut your bars right away! Like a regular pumpkin pie, your bars need to set before serving. It'll be worth the wait, I promise!

Plan ahead! You'll need at least 3-4 hours for baking and cooling before your bars are ready to enjoy. I recommend baking your bars the day before you'll be serving them (if it works for your schedule) to ensure they're set and ready to enjoy.

Nutrition