Pumpkin Bars

Pumpkin bar recipe after being cut in baking pan and slices served

4.99 from 362 votes

This pumpkin bars recipe is a perfect one to make for fall, especially when you're entertaining a crowd. They're moist, tender with a light pumpkin-y flavor

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings bars

Calories 98kcal

Author Yumna Jawad

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 eggs room temperature
2/3 cup cane sugar
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
15 ounces pumpkin puree
1 cup unsweetened applesauce

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Whisk flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Beat the eggs, sugar, pumpkin and applesauce in another large bowl.
Gradually pour the dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
Pour the batter into an ungreased 9x13 baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until set. Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack.

Notes

Recipe: Adapted from Paula Deen with modifications to make it healthier like swapping the vegetable oil for applesauce.

Storage: Store the remaining pumpkin bars in an airtight container. They will last up to 5 days in the fridge.

Freezing Instructions: Cool the pumpkin bars completely. Then tightly wrap the entire pan or the bars in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Then place the wrapped pan or slices in a freezer-friendly storage bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.

Substitutes: For best results, follow the recipe as is. However here are some common substitutes that would work well in this recipe.

You can substitute whole wheat flour for the all purpose flour, but the texture will not be as moist.
To make this gluten-free, use an all-purpose gluten-free flour mix, but again the texture will not be as moist. Do not substitute only almond flour or only coconut flour though
You can substitute the sugar for coconut sugar.
I swapped the oil entirely for applesauce. But you can use canola oil, vegetable oil or coconut oil instead or swap half the amount.
You can substitute homemade pumpkin puree but I think the taste is better with canned pumpkin.

Nutrition