Pumpkin nut bars are quick and easy to make. The recipe uses canned pumpkin which is seasoned and topped with a yellow cake mix topping, then baked. The dessert bars are best served chilled with a dollop of whipped cream.
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Nut Bars Recipe Using Cake Mix
Thanksgiving can be busy so it's always a good idea to have a quick dessert recipe on hand. These pumpkin nut bars can be made for a special breakfast or afternoon tea, but can be dressed up with whipped cream for a delicious holiday dessert.
This recipe uses canned pumpkin and contains all the flavor of pumpkin pie but without all of the work. From start to finish, these pumpkin squares can be made in less than an hour. While they are especially good when served chilled, the bars can be served warm but may not retain the proper shape.
Stock Up on Canned Pumpkin During Thanksgiving Holiday
Remember to stock up on canned pumpkin this fall when it is on sale, beginning usually around Halloween. Canned pumpkin is good to have on hand as it makes delicious breads, cookies, pies, and cakes throughout the entire year.
Since this recipe uses a cake mix for the topping, it turns the pumpkin recipe into a quick dessert. Friends and family will love them. It's hard to eat just one.
Pumpkin Nut Bars Recipe
Serves 12
Ingredients:
- 3 eggs, slightly beaten
- 29 ounces canned pumpkin
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 package yellow cake mix (super-moist variety preferred)
- 3/4 cup margarine (or butter), melted
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
- Preheat oven temperature to 375F (190C)
- Grease a 9 inch by 13 inch baking pan with 1 teaspoon butter and set aside
- In a large mixing bowl combine the beaten eggs, canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, granulated sugar, salt, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Stir thoroughly to combine the ingredients.
- Pour pumpkin mixture into the greased baking dish and spread into an even layer
- Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over the pumpkin mixture
- Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix, then sprinkle with chopped pecans
- Place baking dish into the 375F (190C) oven and bake for 50 minutes
- Remove baking dish from oven and allow to fully cool. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Cut into 12 squares. The pumpkin squares may also be topped with whipped cream before serving.
This recipe can be made within an hour using a cake mix and canned pumpkin. The pumpkin bars have all the flavor of pumpkin pie without all of the hard work. Quick to make, these pumpkin bars might just become a favorite Thanksgiving recipe.
Additional Thanksgiving Recipes:
Allen Williams - Allen Williams is a freelance writer with varied interests ranging from information architecture to reality TV and cooking. He considers ...
