Description
Gourmet caramel pumpkin butter bars combine autumn’s richest flavors in a dessert that celebrates seasonal warmth. Creamy pumpkin layers nestled between buttery crumble promise delightful comfort with each sweet, spiced bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (452 g / 4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups (188 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 12 oz (340 g) caramel sauce
- ½ cup (123 g) pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Prep and Preheat: Set oven to 325°F and lightly spray a rectangular baking dish with nonstick coating.
- Create Base Mixture: Whip butter with granulated and powdered sugars until fluffy and pale, then gradually fold in flour until a crumbly texture develops.
- Initial Crust Formation: Press half the crumbly dough evenly into the prepared baking dish and bake until golden, approximately 25 minutes.
- Prepare Pumpkin Caramel Layer: While crust bakes, blend caramel sauce, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice into a smooth, rich mixture.
- Layer and Assemble: After the initial crust cools slightly, spread the pumpkin-caramel mixture uniformly across the surface, then sprinkle remaining crumbly dough on top for a rustic finish.
- Final Baking: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the surface achieves a deep golden-brown color.
- Cool and Serve: Allow bars to cool completely in the baking dish, then slice into neat square portions for elegant presentation.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smooth, even mixing and optimal texture.
- Crumbly Dough Technique: Press dough gently but firmly to create a stable base that holds together without being too compact.
- Spice Intensity Control: Adjust pumpkin pie spice according to personal taste preferences for a more subtle or robust flavor profile.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow bars to cool completely to set properly, preventing crumbling and ensuring clean, neat slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 343
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 38 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 61 mg