Pumpkin Pie Bars with Graham Cracker Crust

Pumpkin Pie Bars with Cream Cheese and Graham Cracker Crust

pumpkin pie bar with whipped cream

Pumpkin is the ingredient of the Fall and Holiday season. It seems to go into everything from coffee to lasagna, and the public loves every delicious sweet and savory sip or bite. One  of the most enjoyed desserts of the holidays happens to be pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving and Christmas just aren't the same without pumpkin pie, but sometimes it is nice to switch things up a bit and this pumpkin pie bar is the perfect substitute for the normal pie and for those who are not all that fond of the pie (yes, there are people who eat pumpkin but not in pie form), and the recipe includes ingredients already in the house and can be made for less than $10, even $5 (depending on where one shops and how many of the items are already at home).






Ingredients:

Crust:

Walnut Graham Cracker Crust

• 2 1/2 cups Graham crackers (broken up)
• 1/2 cup Walnuts
• 1/4-1/2 cup melted butter

Filling:

• 15 oz. can of pure pumpkin purée
• 12 oz. whipped cream cheese
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup whipped cream
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 tablespoon nutmeg
• 2 eggs, beaten

Directions:

Crust:

Cream Cheese and Sugar Mixture

1. Place broken graham crackers into a food processor (a small, 3 cup, one works fine), pulse on high till finely chopped.
2. Add the walnuts, pulse on high till everything is finely chopped.
3. Pour the crust mix into a medium bowl, add the melted butter, and stir together until the crust mixture is moist.
4. Spray a 9x9 baking dish with baking spray and press the crust into the bottom of the pan.

The pumpkin mixture poured on top, going into the oven

Filling:

baked pumpkin pie bars

1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place the whipped cream cheese in a microwave safe bowl, microwave on high for 30 seconds to a minute, just until warm enough to easily stir.
3. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar to the cream cheese, stir until well combined.
4. Pour half of the cream cheese and sugar mix onto the crust and spread it out.
5. Combine the remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl, stir very well, and pour onto the cream cheese. Spread the top to even it out along the edges.
6. Bake for 1-1 1/2 hours, until a toothpick comes out clean from the middle or until set.
7. Let cool about 10 minutes before cutting.

The taste of this pumpkin pie bar is sweet and savory, thanks to the cream cheese and spices, and one will even taste a little hit of honey which really makes the pumpkin flavor pop! So, heat up some cider, tea, or coffee, and enjoy the taste of a favorite dessert made new. Happy Holidays!!!