Description
Caramel pumpkin butter bars blend autumn’s warmth with rich, creamy indulgence. Spiced layers of silky pumpkin and buttery caramel create a perfectly balanced dessert you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (452 g / 4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
Sweeteners:
- 1 ½ cups (188 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 12 ounces (340 g) caramel sauce
Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ cup (123 g) pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature of 325°F and prepare a rectangular baking dish with a light coating of nonstick spray.
- Combine softened butter with both granulated and powdered sugars in a mixing bowl, whipping the mixture until it becomes airy and pale.
- Gradually incorporate flour into the sugar-butter mixture, blending until the texture transforms into a crumbly, loose consistency.
- Gently press half of the crumbly dough into the prepared baking dish, creating an even foundational layer.
- Bake the initial crust until it develops a delicate golden hue, approximately 25 minutes.
- While the crust bakes, whisk together caramel sauce, pure pumpkin puree, and warming pumpkin pie spice in a separate bowl.
- Allow the initial crust to rest and slightly cool for about 10 minutes after removing from the oven.
- Carefully spread the pumpkin-caramel mixture across the partially baked crust, ensuring an uniform coverage.
- Scatter the remaining crumbly dough over the pumpkin-caramel layer, creating a rustic, textured topping.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the surface turns a rich golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely within the baking dish.
- Once thoroughly cooled, slice into neat square portions for serving.
Notes
- Prep ahead by mixing pumpkin caramel sauce early to let flavors meld and intensify.
- Use room temperature butter for smoother, more even mixing that creates a perfectly textured crust.
- Ensure even layer distribution when pressing dough into baking dish to guarantee consistent baking and texture.
- Cool bars completely before cutting to help them set and prevent crumbling, resulting in clean, neat squares.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for extended freshness.
- Select high-quality pumpkin pie spice for a more robust and authentic autumn flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg