Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars

Published September 7, 2013. Updated October 17, 2023

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A Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bar is an amazing take on the fall classic—pumpkin pie. But this version is faster, easier, with more delicious crunch! 

Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars | Cooking Classy

I can’t relate to the people who only want pumpkins in autumn. I crave pumpkin treats year-round, and I’m always on the hunt to find new ways to enjoy moist, rich pumpkins. This pumpkin recipe is a new take on the classic pumpkin pie—if it was crossed with a buttery cobbler!

Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars | Cooking Classy

Obviously when I think pumpkin pie, I’m thinking Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving is definitely a good time. But why restrict yourself from something so delicious just because it’s not October?

So, if you want to bake these on Valentine’s Day I definitely wouldn’t judge :). Once you try these you’ll want them once a month, year round.

Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars | Cooking Classy

Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars

These bars are a bit more cookie than pumpkin pie filling (these are three layers, oatmeal cookie crumb layer, followed by the pumpkin pie layer, then it’s finished with more crumb) so if you’d prefer an equal amount you could probably make half the amount of crumb mixture and simply only do one bottom layer.

But is there such a thing as too much cookie? Nope! These are tall, thick bars, that (in my opinion) are best slightly chilled—or you could eat them warm out of the oven with ice cream, like a traditional crumble or cobbler.

However you serve them, I’d definitely recommend trying them in the near future. (Photos updated Sept. 7, 2016. I made the pumpkins out of marshmallow fondant, I only made 1/4 of this recipe here)

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5 from 15 votes

Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars

One of my favorite fall desserts! You get two layers of buttery oat crumble that's filled with a creamy, perfectly spiced pumpkin pie center. Skip the pie and try these instead!
Servings: 9 - 12
Prep30 minutes
Cook35 minutes
Ready in: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

Pumpkin Pie Filling

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, oats, salt and baking soda for 30 seconds. Add in 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar an mix until no clumps remain. 
  • Combine melted butter and vanilla and add to mixture, then stir with a spoon until evenly moistened.
  • Gently press half of the mixture into a greased 8 by 8-inch baking dish (a 9 by 9-inch baking dish would be great to, just reduce the baking time slightly as needed) and bake in preheated oven 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile in a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and salt.
  • Add in egg, egg yolk and vanilla and stir until blended. Mix in pumpkin then milk.
  • Pour mixture over baked cookie portion and return to oven to bake 15 minutes, then remove from oven and sprinkle remaining cookie crumb mixture over top while breaking the crumb into small bits. 
  • Transfer oven rack closer to the top-center (not directly beneath but a few levels below) and return to oven to bake about 20 - 25 minutes longer until golden on top and center only jiggles slightly. 
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool 1 hour at room temperature, then transfer to refrigerator to cool 1 hour longer (or serve warm from the oven like a crumble with ice cream).
  • Cut into squares and serve with sweetened whipped cream and a light dusting of cinnamon if desired.

Notes

  • Nutrition estimate based on 12 servings, does not include whipped cream topping or decoration.
Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 336 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 64mg21%
Sodium 218mg9%
Potassium 148mg4%
Carbohydrates 49g16%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 30g33%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 4266IU85%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 52mg5%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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142 Comments

  • Carolyn

    I would like to double the recipe and bake it in a 11X17 pan. I am interested in knowing if you have tried this and if it will bake evenly. Do you store them in the fridge? Have you tried freezing?

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I stored mine in the fridge, I haven’t tried freezing. And you could probably double it but they would be quite thick (as they are already pretty thick and a 13×9 isn’t quite double an 8×8 or 9×9) and you’d probably have to bake a bit longer. I hope you love them if you do make them Carolyn :)!

  • tracie c.

    LOVE! made this morning. my husband is pumpkin pie crazy and thought i’d slip a new recipe in to see if i could get away with not making pie crust.
    THANK YOU!!!!! i highly recommend!!!!
    it has the buttery crunchy crust (PERFECT)! the generous pumpkin layer (PERFECT) the top crunchy topping (PERFECT)!

    the recipe diversions due to what i had on hand or personal spice preference: homemade pumpkin puree, old fashioned oats, dark brown sugar, used 3 T. fresh ginger (we love ginger) fine grated, 1/2 t clove, 2% milk + 1T melted butter, 1.5 tsp cinnamon

    this one goes straight to the recipe book! thank you again! tracie

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      The homemade pumpkin puree sounds delicious! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed these Tracie! Thanks for leaving your comment and tips!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I wouldn’t recommend it, it might make it taste too eggy and it would also take longer for the filling to cook.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Almost to the top, sorry I know that was confusing. I just put that because I didn’t want the bottom crust to become over-baked because these are thick bars and have quite a bit of filling that needs to bake through so I found that moving it up a few racks after adding the final layer helped the bottom layer from becoming too crisp. It will vary slightly for everyone based on the number of racks in each oven but yes about top center is probably right. Basically you just don’t want it directly under the oven element.

  • amanda

    OMG… I just made these bars… They are wonderful and flew off my platter at my work… when they cooled completely I dusted with powdered sugar and used squirt cool~whip in the middle of each square. I got a cute platter that looks like etched glass at the Dollar tree… looked gorgeous!! Thanks for the great recipe ;)

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      You’re welcome Amanda! I’m so happy to hear they went fast :). Thanks for leaving a comment!

  • Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl

    I’m a pumpkin lover so I’m absolutely excited to try these crumb bars!