Description
Creamy pumpkin cream cheese dream bars blend autumn’s warmth with rich, velvety textures in a dessert that whispers comfort. Delightful layers of spiced pumpkin and smooth cream cheese promise a delectable escape that promises to satisfy seasonal cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Spices and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Instructions
- Craft the foundation by combining flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a sandy texture with cold butter until crumbly.
- Press the fragrant mixture firmly into a parchment-lined 8×8-inch baking pan, ensuring an even layer that will serve as the golden base.
- Roast the crust in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes until edges turn a delicate amber, then remove and let cool slightly.
- Whip cream cheese in a large bowl until silky smooth, then incorporate pumpkin puree, sugars, eggs, and warm spices, blending until perfectly uniform.
- Gently cascade the velvety pumpkin mixture over the pre-baked crust, spreading with a spatula to create an even, luscious layer.
- Sprinkle a crunchy topping of chopped pecans and sugar across the surface, adding textural contrast to the creamy filling.
- Return the pan to the 350°F oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a set filling and gently bronzed edges.
- Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, which helps the filling stabilize and makes cutting into precise squares easier.
- Slice into elegant portions and serve, revealing the layers of spiced pumpkin, buttery crust, and nutty pecan crunch.
Notes
- Swap flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or coconut flour for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring the crust maintains its crumbly texture.
- Toast pecans briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex, aromatic topping that elevates the entire dessert.
- Chill bars completely overnight to help them set firmly, making cutting cleaner and allowing flavors to meld together beautifully for a more intense taste experience.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and eggs to prevent lumpy filling and guarantee a smooth, silky texture that melts in your mouth with each delectable bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-52 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 139 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 73 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg