Things I am thankful for this year: being able to marry my best friend, decade long friendships that can handle the thousands of miles between us, almost daily FaceTime conversations with my niece Caroline, and not having to choose whether I want pumpkin or pecan pie.
Pecan on the bottom, pumpkin pie on top, party everywhere in your mouth. It’s a dessert showstopper that will wow just about everyone. Plus, these squares are both gluten-free and vegan so they accommodate the eating preferences of almost any holiday guest.
I’ve previously mentioned what a pie rule breaker I am; instead of enjoying dessert after a large holiday meal, I prefer to indulge the next morning. My day-after ritual involves relaxing on the couch while outfitted with a Christmas movie, oversized cup of black coffee, and a giant plate of pie from the evening before. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid, and it’s my favorite memory of Thanksgiving with my family. Even though we were a four woman household, we usually passed on Black Friday sales to cuddle on the couch and pass around Thanksgiving leftovers. While my sisters were active members of the turkey sandwich club, Friday was my pie day.
But, because I can never choose which pie flavor I love more, I’ve decided to combine my two favorites into one dreamy bar. Problem solved!
I cannot wait for you to make this one! This has already become one of my favorite desserts. Typically, when I bake desserts for the blog it involves at least 2-3 rounds of testing. One-to-two attempts to get it right, and another to double check the recipe and photograph. With all that extra food, I usually become everyone’s favorite co-worker.
After I made these bars, BL persuasively recommended the leftovers not see the interior of my office. It’s moments like this that I know we really are MFEO- made for each other.
While they are perfect on their own, the dollop of coconut whipped cream on top completes the pie experience. I used my basic coconut whipped cream recipe (tutorial here) and added a sprinkle of cinnamon and a splash of bourbon. While the bourbon shot is completely optional, I love the rich flavor of pecans and bourbon.
The only downside to these bars is you have to let them cool completely before serving. Which is complete torture when your whole house smells like cinnamon, nutmeg and toasted nuts. Who has the patience to wait 8 hours before taking a bite?! My advice- make them in the evening, and place them in the refrigerator before you head to bed.
Then, do what I do! Grab a blanket, grab a book, and relax on the couch- coffee in one hand, these bars in the other.
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!
Print
Prep Time:
Yield:
Category:
Cuisine:
Print
PinDescription
Pecan Bars topped with Pumpkin Pie! Two pie favorites in one bar! Topped with Cinnamon-Bourbon coconut cream. Vegan and Gluten Free.
Ingredients
- 3 cups raw pecans, divided
- 5 tbsp. light brown sugar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
- 5 tbsp. non-dairy butter, cubed (I like Earth Balance brand)
- 1 15 oz. can or carton pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup 100% pure maple syrup
- 1 can full-fat canned coconut milk, divided (see note)
- 2 tbsp. cornstarch
- 2 tbsp. non-dairy milk
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2.5 tsp. cinnamon, divided
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- 2 tbsp. powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp. bourbon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Place 2 1/2 cups pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.
- Add butter and pulse until mixture is finely ground and resembles wet sand. Press the pecan mixture into a well-greased or parchment lined 8 X 8 pan. Bake 8-10 minutes until lightly colored and fragrant. Set aside until ready to fill.
- In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch into the maple syrup until combined. Place the pumpkin puree, sugar, maple syrup and cornstarch mixture, 1/4 cup coconut cream (see note), milk, 1.5 tsp. cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg in the bowl of a food processor.
- Puree until smooth.
- Pour the pumpkin filling onto the pecan crust, tap to even out the layer, and bake for 40 minutes.
- When done, remove the pumpkin bars from the oven and let cool on the counter. Place in the fridge for at least 8 hours.
- Before serving, make the whipped cream: place the remaining coconut cream in either a stand mixer or large bowl with the remaining tsp. cinnamon, powdered sugar, and bourbon (if using). Whip until fluffy.
- Finely chop the remaining pecans.
- Serve squares with a dollop of cinnamon cream and pecans.
Notes
Place entire can of full-fat coconut cream in the fridge at least 2 hours before making this recipe. Use the top 1/4 cup for the pumpkin pie filling and use the rest for the Cinnamon whipped cream.
Ready for more Thanksgiving favorites? Enjoy this list below of healthy recipes from the Recipe Redux group.
These look simply awesome! Thank you!!
Thanks Katherine!
These look so delicious and your pictures are amazing! Pie the morning after sounds like the best tradition ever. I’m often so full after Thanksgiving dinner to really enjoy the pie, and what’s better than pie for breakfast??? Definitely pinning this one!
Pie for breakfast?! I love the sound of that! :-) These bars looks so delicious!
Me too :)
I’ve definitely pulled the pumpkin pie for breakfast move before, and I’m so glad I’m not the only one! These pumpkin pie bars look fantastic!
Thanks Lisa!
YUM!!!! this looks fantastic! and how have I not seen your new website yet? It’s stunning!!!
★★★★★
You are so sweet! Thank you! Glad you like it!
So pretty Alex!!
Thanks Regan!
Oh my…you are going to win the hearts of pumpkin lovers everywhere with this recipe! And that includes me too ;)
Oooooh! You know what I love about these best? Bars take all the judgement out of service sizes. Like, YES, this bar is as big as my hand BUT THAT IS HOW IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE.
YUM!
Carla, this is why we are friends. That is exactly why I love bars. Also, I can keep cutting little “bites” instead of taking an entire slice like a pie :)
This sounds wonderful Alex! Love the idea of using a pumpkin bar for the crust.
Thanks Jill!
What a wonderful recipe, I think I will definitely need to give this a try. I love the sound of all those spices
Thanks Nikki! You will love it!
gotta love this recipe!!! team pumpkin all the way!!
Thanks girl!
oh my gosh yum! drooling over here!
Thanks Caralyn!
what a beautiful recipe! So perfect for Thanksgiving :)