Save Moist, warmly spiced bars featuring pumpkin puree, crunchy nuts, and a hint of holiday flavor—perfect for seasonal gatherings or as a cozy snack.
I baked these pumpkin nut bars for a family get-together and everyone loved how soft and flavorful they turned out. The blend of spices makes them taste like autumn in every bite.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 1 1/2 cups (190 g)
- Baking powder: 1 tsp
- Baking soda: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
- Ground cinnamon: 1 1/2 tsp
- Ground nutmeg: 1/2 tsp
- Ground cloves: 1/4 tsp
- Ground ginger: 1/4 tsp
- Granulated sugar: 3/4 cup (150 g)
- Packed light brown sugar: 1/2 cup (110 g)
- Unsalted butter, melted and cooled: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
- Large eggs: 2
- Canned pumpkin puree: 1 cup (240 g)
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- Chopped walnuts or pecans: 1 cup (120 g)
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional): 1/2 cup (90 g)
Instructions
- Prepare Pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine:
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Add-ins:
- Stir in chopped nuts and chocolate chips, if using.
- Bake:
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Test and Cool:
- Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into bars.
Save My kids help sprinkle the nuts on top before baking, and it has become a fun holiday tradition in our house.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these bars on their own, or drizzle with cream cheese icing for an extra festive touch.
Storage Tips
Store the pumpkin nut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer freshness.
Nutrition
Each bar contains approximately 225 calories, with 11 g fat, 29 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.
Save These pumpkin nut bars make holiday snacking easy and memorable.
Kitchen Guide
- → Can I substitute the nuts?
Yes, walnuts or pecans can be replaced with hazelnuts or almonds for a different flavor and crunch.
- → Can I freeze these bars?
Absolutely. Cool bars completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- → Is it possible to make these dairy-free?
Use plant-based butter alternatives to prepare the bars without dairy, keeping a similar moist texture.
- → Can whole wheat flour be used?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for part or all of the all-purpose flour for a heartier texture.
- → How do I achieve extra holiday flair?
Drizzle cooled bars with cream cheese icing or dust lightly with powdered sugar for festive presentation.
- → What's the best way to store the bars?
Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and softness.