Praline Pumpkin Bars
A delightful fusion of pumpkin goodness and decadent pecan topping that creates a symphony of flavors, perfect for fall gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree canned or homemade
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, making sure to stir well after each addition.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until blended. Gradually add it to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined—don’t overmix!
- Gently fold in the chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
Baking
- Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While the bars are baking, mix together the heavy cream and a bit of brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until it’s just bubbling. Stir until combined, then pour it over the baked bars after removing them from the oven.
- Return to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes to set the topping.
Finishing Touches
- Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing them into squares. Enjoy!
Notes
For a lighter version, consider using coconut oil instead of butter. Keep an eye on the bars near the end of the baking time to avoid overcooking. Make sure your pumpkin puree is pure pumpkin and not a spiced pumpkin pie filling.