Brown Sugar Maple Pumpkin Bars (Printer-Friendly)
Buttery crust meets velvety pumpkin maple filling with sweet brown sugar streusel topping.
# What You'll Need:
→ Crust
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Filling
05 - 1 1/4 cups pumpkin puree
06 - 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
07 - 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
10 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Streusel Topping
12 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
13 - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
14 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
15 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
16 - Pinch of salt
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
02 - Combine flour, brown sugar, and salt in a bowl. Cut in cold butter with a pastry blender or fork until mixture is crumbly. Press firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
03 - Bake crust for 10 minutes until lightly set.
04 - Whisk together pumpkin puree, maple syrup, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and salt until completely smooth.
05 - Pour the pumpkin filling over the pre-baked crust and spread into an even layer.
06 - Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and melted butter until crumbly texture forms.
07 - Sprinkle streusel evenly over the pumpkin filling. Bake for 30 minutes until center is set and topping is golden brown.
08 - Cool completely in the pan. Lift out using parchment paper and cut into 16 bars.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The three layer texture combination creates something magical in every single bite
- They actually taste better the next day, making them perfect for make ahead entertaining
02 -
- Hot filling + cold bars = a sad crumbly mess, so let them cool completely before slicing
- The center should still have a slight jiggle when you remove it from the oven, it will firm up as it cools
03 -
- Cold butter is non negotiable for that crumble texture in both crust and streusel
- Real maple syrup costs more but makes a difference you can actually taste