Description
These moist and flavorful Pumpkin Bars are a perfect treat for fall or any time of year. Made with warm spices, pumpkin puree, and a blend of sugars, these bars have a tender texture and a deliciously sweet aroma. Easy to prepare and bake in under an hour, they make a great dessert or snack for gatherings and cozy afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure the bars do not stick during baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves until well combined to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Combine Sugars and Oil: In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Mix until the mixture is smooth, creating a sweet and moist base for the batter.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time into the sugar-oil mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure proper incorporation and binding.
- Incorporate Pumpkin and Vanilla: Stir in the canned pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and uniformly colored.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently to avoid overmixing which could toughen the bars.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula for uniform thickness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully cooked.
- Cool in Pan: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes to set before removing.
- Cool Completely and Serve: Transfer the bars to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, cut into squares or rectangles and serve.
Notes
- Make sure not to overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to prevent dense bars.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with melted coconut oil for a slight flavor variation.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For an extra touch, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze after cooling.
