Pumpkin Pie Bars

Introduce

Chef :

Christina

Pumpkin Pie Bars

These pie bars are so easy to prepare and they make a great make-ahead dessert, especially for Thanksgiving. These are spiced perfectly and delicious served with some whipped cream on top. I'll post a better picture on Thanksgiving once I slice them. Recipe source : sallysbakingaddiction.com

Ingredient

full sheets of graham crackers (or 1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs)

1/2 cup

chopped pecans

2 tbsp.

granulated sugar

5 tbsp.

unsalted butter, melted

1 can (15 oz.)

pumpkin puree

1 cup

brown sugar (light or dark)

large eggs

1 1/2 cups

heavy cream

1 tsp.

pure vanilla extract

1 tbsp.

cornstarch

1 1/2 tsp.

pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp.

ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp.

salt

1/8 tsp.

ground pepper

Cooking instructions

* Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13" baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough of an overhang on the sides to easily lift out the completed bars. Set this aside.

* Step 2

In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers and pecans together until they turn to crumbs. Then add in the granulated sugar and melted butter and continue to pulse until everything is moistened and combined.

* Step 3

Place the crust mixture into the prepared baking pan and pack it down tightly and evenly over the bottom. Place in the oven and bake for 8 minutes. Once it's done remove from the oven and set it aside until your ready with the pie filling.

* Step 4

For the filling, place the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, eggs, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cornstarch, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment to quickly whisk it all together until combined.

* Step 5

Pour the pie filling evenly over the top of the graham cracker crust. Place it in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the center is no longer jiggly.

* Step 6

Place the baking pan on a cooling rack and let it sit until it has cooled completely. Once it's cool, cover it and transfer it to the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.

* Step 7

Once chilled and you're ready to serve, remove the pan from the fridge and lift the parchment paper out of the pan. Slice into squares and serve. Leftovers can be stored for up to a week covered in the fridge.