Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Bars

Fall is my absolute favorite season for baking. The crisp air, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin-flavored treats everywhere make my kitchen feel like a little slice of heaven.

This year, I decided to take my love for pumpkin pie up a notch by creating Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Bars—and let me tell you, they did not disappoint.

These bars are rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced between sweet and salty.

The buttery crust, smooth pumpkin filling, and decadent salted caramel topping come together to create the ultimate fall dessert.

They’re perfect for Thanksgiving, potlucks, or just a cozy night in with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa.

Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Bars

Fall just got sweeter! These Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Bars feature a buttery graham cracker crust, creamy pumpkin filling, and decadent salted caramel topping. Perfect for Thanksgiving, parties, or cozy nights in.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Chill Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 50 minutes mins

Servings: 12 bars

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

Crust:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ½ cup unsalted butter melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Pumpkin Filling:

• 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¾ cup heavy cream

Salted Caramel Topping:

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp sea salt

Method

 

1. Prepare the crust: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press into a greased 9x13-inch pan. Bake 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Cool.
2. Make the pumpkin filling: Whisk pumpkin puree, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and heavy cream until smooth. Pour over cooled crust and bake 25-30 minutes until set. Cool completely.
3. Prepare the salted caramel: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and heavy cream, cooking 3-4 minutes until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and sea salt. Cool slightly. Drizzle over cooled bars.
4. Chill and serve: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until caramel sets. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Instructions

1. Prepare the crust

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until well combined.

Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool while preparing the filling.

2. Make the pumpkin filling

In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and heavy cream until smooth.

Pour the mixture over the cooled crust, spreading it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the filling is set. Let it cool completely.

3. Prepare the salted caramel

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.

Stir in brown sugar and heavy cream, cooking for 3-4 minutes until smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla and sea salt.

Allow the caramel to cool slightly, then drizzle over the cooled pumpkin bars.

4. Chill and serve

Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours to let the caramel set.

Cut into squares and enjoy the perfect combination of sweet pumpkin and salty caramel in every bite.

Tips for the Best Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Bars

• Use fresh pumpkin puree: It gives a richer flavor than canned alternatives.

• Don’t skip chilling: Chilling helps the caramel set and makes slicing easier.

• Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt: It enhances the flavor of the caramel and balances the sweetness.

Read More: Spiced Chai Cookies

FAQ

Q: Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes! You can make them a day in advance and store them in the fridge. They taste even better after a few hours when the flavors meld together.

Q: Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, a good-quality store-bought salted caramel sauce works perfectly.

Q: Are these bars gluten-free?
To make them gluten-free, substitute the graham crackers with gluten-free graham crumbs or almond flour.

Final Thoughts

These Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Bars are a game-changer for fall desserts. They’re creamy, indulgent, and just the right mix of sweet and salty.

Honestly, I think they might just become your go-to pumpkin treat this season—mine certainly have.

Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, these bars are guaranteed to impress. Give them a try, and I promise you’ll fall in love with pumpkin all over again.