Pumpkin Dessert Bars

Total Time

Prep: 35 min. Bake: 20 min. + chilling

Makes

15 servings

Updated: Nov. 09, 2023
Put a twist on traditional pumpkin pie with this recipe. It packs the spicy pumpkin flavor you love, but in a new crowd-sized form. —Tena Huckleby, Greeneville, Tennessee
Pumpkin Dessert Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1-3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1-1/3 cups sugar, divided
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 5 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • Optional: Whipped topping and ground nutmeg

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and 1/3 cup sugar; stir in butter. Press into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish.
  2. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and 2/3 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in 2 eggs just until blended. Pour over crust. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack.
  3. Meanwhile, separate remaining eggs and set whites aside. In a large saucepan, combine the yolks, pumpkin, brown sugar, milk, salt and cinnamon. Cook and stir over low heat for 10-12 minutes or until mixture is thickened and reaches 160°. Remove from the heat.
  4. In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Cook over low heat, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir into pumpkin mixture; set aside.
  5. In a large heavy saucepan, combine reserved egg whites and remaining sugar. With a portable mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating over low heat until mixture reaches 160°, about 12 minutes. Remove from the heat; beat until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved.
  6. Fold into pumpkin mixture; spread evenly over cream cheese layer. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or until set. Garnish with whipped topping and nutmeg if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 284 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 257mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.