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Home » Recipes » Dessert » Brownies & Bars

Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars

By Trang Doan - Oct 15, 2018 (updated Oct 6, 2022) - This post may contain affiliate links.

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These Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars are made with a creamy cheesy pumpkin pie filling baked on top of a buttery shortbread crust. They are the perfect dessert for when you’re craving a little bit of pumpkin pie but don’t want to bake the whole pie.
Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars garnished with whipped cream and a pie crust maple leaf
Pumpkin pie to me is so quintessential Thanksgiving, so that is seriously the only time of the year there is a pumpkin pie on my table. But it’s so delicious that it really needs to be enjoyed all season. So I made these more casual Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars to sneak in a little pumpkin pie before and after the holidays.

Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars garnished with whipped cream and a pie crust maple leaf

How to Make Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars

We start with a shortbread crust, which is almost exactly the same as these Classic Shortbread Cookies, just slightly less sweet so it doesn’t take away from the creamy pumpkin pie filling on top. The shortbread dough is pressed evenly into a baking pan and baked until just slightly brown. Then the filling is poured on top and baked until set.

Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars - how to make shortbread crustPumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars - maple leaf decorationsI also made some maple leaves decoration using my all-butter pie crust just for fun. I tend to keep a batch of pie dough in my freezer for impromptu baking, and this was the perfect occasion. I used a maple leaf stamp to cut out the shape (I link to a similar one at the bottom of this post). These are completely optional, a dollop of fresh whipped cream is enough garnish for these delicious Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars.

Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars garnished with whipped cream and a pie crust maple leafBe sure to use pure pumpkin puree (not can pumpkin pie filling) to make these Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars. The recipe only calls for 1 cup, and not the whole can. You can save the rest for muffins, cookies, or even smoothie. This recipe doesn’t make a huge batch so you won’t have a ton of leftover. It is perfect for a casual dessert for Autumn. However, it can be easily doubled and baked in a 9”x13” pan for a larger batch. Enjoy!

More Pumpkin Treats

  • Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies
  • Pumpkin Pie
  • Pumpkin Muffins
  • Peanut Butter Skull Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars garnished with whipped cream and a pie crust maple leafIf you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment, rate it and don’t forget to tag me @wildwildwhisk on Instagram. I’d love to see what’s cooking up in your kitchen. Cheers!

📖 Recipe card

Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars garnished with whipped cream and a pie crust maple leaf

Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars

These Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars are made with a creamy cheesy pumpkin pie filling baked on top of a buttery shortbread crust. They are the perfect dessert for when you’re craving a little bit of pumpkin pie but don’t want to bake the whole pie.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
Yield: 9 squares
Author: Trang

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 pinch kosher salt
  • 4 oz unsalted butter - room temperature
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Pumpkin Pie Filling

  • 4 oz cream cheese - softened
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 big pinch kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
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Instructions

Make the crust

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Brush the bottom and sides of an 8”x8” square baking pan with melted butter, line the pan with a long strip of parchment paper and let the excess hang over the side. Brush the parchment paper with butter as well and add another long strip of parchment paper crosswise. Brush with melted butter again.
  • In a small bowl, add flour and salt, and thoroughly combine with a whisk.
  • In the stand mixer bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla extract with a paddle attachment until light in color.
  • Add the flour mixture and mix on low until a dough ball forms.
  • Dump the dough into the previously prepared baking pan and press it into an even layer.
  • Bake the crust for 20 minutes until lightly brown.
  • Let cool on a wire rack while you prepare the pumpkin pie filling. Leave the oven on.

Prepare pumpkin pie filling

  • In the stand mixer bowl, cream the cream cheese and dark brown sugar until creamy.
  • Add vanilla extract and beat to mix.
  • In another bowl, beat together eggs, pumpkin puree, salt and pumpkin pie spice.
  • Add the pumpkin mixture to the cream cheese mixture and mix until thoroughly combined.
  • Fold in the flour.
  • Pour the mixture over the crust and bake for 25 - 30 minutes until the filling is set.
  • Let cool completely on a wire rack before cutting.

Nutrition

Serving: 97g | Calories: 282kcal
Course: Dessert, Pastries
Cuisine: American
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?If you made this recipe and loved it, please leave a comment and give us a 5 STAR review. Thank you!!

Shop The Recipe Tools

  • Stand Mixer
  • 8”x8” Square Baking Pan
  • Pie Crust Stamps
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons

Some of the links above are affiliate links, which pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting my blog.

Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Bars made with a cream cheese pumpkin pie filling baked on top of a buttery shortbread crust. #wildwildwhisk #pumpkinpie #pumpkinbars #pumpkinpiebars
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Comments

  1. Kristin

    February 16, 2022 at 8:02 pm

    5 stars
    These reviews are 100% accurate. As with everything I’ve made from your site, it’s fantastic. I ended up making mine in a loaf pan with chia eggs, because I didn’t have an 8×8 or eggs, and it turned out fine with a little extra time in the oven. Extra thick layers 🙂

    Reply
    • Trang Doan

      February 17, 2022 at 2:15 pm

      Thank you Kristin! Such a clever substitution with chia seeds!

      Reply
  2. Beth

    November 02, 2021 at 8:07 am

    5 stars
    These pumpkin pie shortbread bars are outstanding. My boyfriend said, “10/10”. I might even like them more than pumpkin pie! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  3. Nancy

    November 17, 2018 at 7:29 pm

    5 stars
    My friend’s daughter made these and they were absolutely delicious; I’m planning to make them for Thanksgiving. Better than pumpkin pie!

    Reply
    • Trang

      November 18, 2018 at 9:21 pm

      Thank you so much Nancy for your feedback! Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Karly

    October 20, 2018 at 3:57 pm

    These are so cute! I’m definitely going to make these for Thanksgiving!

    Reply

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About

Hi! I’m Trang and welcome to my blog. This is where I share recipes from my kitchen. From cookies to cupcakes, to pies and ice cream, to treats for your fur babies, I hope you’ll find something you like and stay a while. Read More…

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