Pumpkin Bars Recipe made with pumpkin apple butter and a simple streusel crumb crust. These easy pumpkin bars come together quickly and are delicious with a dollop of whipped cream.
![pumpkin bar on a plate with a dollop of whipped cream](https://www.graceandgoodeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pumpkin-spice-bars-25.jpg.webp)
I stressed over what to call this delicious pumpkin bars recipe. Most of the time when people think of “pumpkin bars” they are more of a pumpkin cake with frosting. These are more like pumpkin pie bars (because of the streusel crust/crumb topping) but that name makes people think of pumpkin pie in bar form.
I guess they are more of a pumpkin butter bar or a pumpkin crumb bar? Whatever you want to call them, these easy pumpkin bars with a streusel crumb crust and layer of yummy pumpkin butter are delicious!
![pumpkin bars recipe steps](https://www.graceandgoodeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/crust-steps.jpg.webp)
Easy Pumpkin Bars Ingredients
I love this no-fuss pumpkin dessert because it comes together so quickly and is almost fool-proof (kind of like this slow cooker pumpkin dump cake). Easier than homemade pumpkin pie and less trouble than a homemade pie crust, these pumpkin bars are all the same flavors with almost no effort! For this recipe, you will need:
- All-purpose flour
- Rolled oats
- Powdered sugar
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Pumpkin butter
I like to make my own pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin apple butter, but you can certainly use store bought versions instead.
![pumpkin bars recipe steps](https://www.graceandgoodeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/filling-crust-steps.jpg.webp)
How to Make Pumpkin Streusel Bars
These pumpkin bars have a streusel crust and crumb topping. Streusel is a crumbly topping of flour, butter, and sugar that is baked on top of muffins, breads, pies, and cakes. I use a streusel topping on my favorite Sweet Potato Casserole and Banana Bread Cobbler.
To make this pumpkin pie bars recipe you will:
- Preheat the oven to 350 F and line a 9×13-in pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk the flour, oats, powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a large bowl.
- Use your fingers to work in the butter until clumps form.
- Press 3/4 of the dough into the pan and spread with pumpkin butter. Crumble the remaining dough on top.
- Bake until lightly browned, 40-45 minutes. Cool completely in the pan before removing and cutting into squares.
![pumpkin bars in a pan with one cut out](https://www.graceandgoodeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pumpkin-spice-bars-26.jpg.webp)
Tips for Making this Pumpkin Bars Recipe
I recommend using your fingers to combine the flour and butter mixture instead of a fork or pastry cutter. The warmth of your hands will help melt the butter slightly, but be careful as you only want to form clumps of crumbs not make a paste.
These bars can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container. I think they’re even better the next day when the crumb topping softens a bit. These also freeze well, so you can make a big batch and have them ready to pull out for the holidays! (Topped with homemade whipped cream of course!)
![hand holding a pumpkin bar with a bite taken out](https://www.graceandgoodeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pumpkin-spice-bars-24.jpg.webp)
More Pumpkin Recipes
![close up of a pumpkin bar square](https://www.graceandgoodeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pumpkin-spice-bars-19.jpg.webp)
![close up of a pumpkin bar square](https://www.graceandgoodeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pumpkin-spice-bars-19-200x200.jpg.webp)
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter at room temperature (3 sticks)
- 1 1/2 cups pumpkin apple butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a 9×13-in baking dish with parchment paper.
- Whisk the flour, oats, powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a large bowl.
- Work the butter into the flour mixture with your hands until clumps form.
- Press 3/4 of the dough into the baking dish.
- Spread the pumpkin butter on top of the dough in the pan and crumble the remaining dough on top.
- Bake until lightly browned, about 40-45 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely in the pan before cutting.