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Cozy Molasses Spice Pumpkin Dessert Bars (Easy Fall Recipe)

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These cozy molasses spice pumpkin dessert bars are a comforting fall treat with deep, mysterious flavor from molasses, tender pumpkin, and warm spices. They come together in about 45 minutes and are perfect for chilly evenings or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure)
  • 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • For the glaze (optional):
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of cinnamon (for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, molasses, melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and well combined.
  3. Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully incorporated and the batter is smooth and glossy, about 30 seconds.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a rubber spatula in thirds, just until no white streaks remain. Do not overmix.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Tap the pan gently on the counter to release air bubbles.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Start checking at 22 minutes.
  8. Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes. Then use the parchment paper handles to lift the entire batch out and transfer to the cooling rack. Cool completely before glazing or cutting.
  9. If making the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Start with 2 tablespoons of milk and add more if needed. Drizzle over the cooled bars and sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon.
  10. Let the glaze set for about 10 minutes before cutting into squares or bars using a sharp knife.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature eggs. Do not overmix the batter. Check for doneness early. Let bars cool completely before cutting. These bars taste even better the next day. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. For dairy-free, use melted coconut oil instead of butter and non-dairy milk in the glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin bars, molasses, fall dessert, easy recipe, spice bars, pumpkin dessert, cozy bars

Find it online: https://dinadinnertable.com/cozy-molasses-spice-pumpkin-dessert-bars-easy-fall-recipe/