Description

When the air turns crisp and the leaves start to fall, nothing beats the aroma of pumpkin and spices baking in the oven. These Pumpkin Pecan Cream Cheese Bars are everything you crave in a Thanksgiving dessert: rich, creamy, and satisfyingly sweet with a crunchy pecan topping. Imagine a bite that’s both silky from the cream cheese layer and full of comforting pumpkin flavor, all nestled on a buttery crust and finished with sticky maple syrup. Perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings or as a cozy treat to savor with a cup of coffee, these bars bring festive spirit to your dessert table. They’re easy to cut, easy to serve, and never fail to wow both kids and adults. Each bite tastes like Thanksgiving in dessert form, making these bars a must-bake for your next celebration.

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

8 oz cream cheese (1 package)

1/3 cup granulated sugar (for cream cheese layer)

1 large egg (for cream cheese layer)

1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree

2/3 cup granulated sugar (for pumpkin filling)

2 large eggs (for pumpkin filling)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar (for pumpkin filling)

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for pumpkin filling)

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup pecans, roughly chopped

1/4 cup brown sugar (for topping)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for topping)

Maple syrup, for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.

2. Combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 cup melted butter. Mix until crumbly. Press into pan and bake for 10 minutes.

3. In a bowl, beat 8 oz cream cheese, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and 1 egg until smooth. Set aside.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until well combined.

5. Spread pumpkin mixture over crust. Dollop cream cheese mixture and swirl gently.

6. Mix 1 cup pecans, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle over the top.

7. Bake 35–40 minutes until set and pecans are golden. Cool completely, refrigerate at least 2 hours, then slice into 16 bars. Drizzle with maple syrup if desired.

Notes

Chill the bars completely before slicing for clean, neat edges.

Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Swap pecans with walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or leave them out for a nut-free version.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 265
Sugar: 21g
Sodium: 110mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 47mg

Keywords: Thanksgiving dessert, pumpkin bars, pecan bars, holiday dessert, cream cheese bars