These Salted Caramel Pumpkin Bars are a cozy fall dessert: pumpkin pie spice combined with rich caramel for a sweet, slightly salty finish. They come together quickly, look beautiful on a serving tray, and are perfect for parties or holiday gatherings.
Salted Caramel Pumpkin Bars
These pumpkin bars are like a handheld pumpkin pie with a crisp cake topping and a ribbon of salted caramel throughout. The texture is tender and moist, and the graham cracker topping adds a pleasant crunch. They’re easy to slice into bars and are ideal for serving to a crowd.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet & Salty Flavor. Salted caramel lifts traditional pumpkin bars with a buttery, slightly salty finish.
- Simple Prep. Minimal mixing and pantry-friendly ingredients make this an easy dessert to prepare.
- Party Friendly. Bakes in a half sheet pan so you can serve many guests without fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need For Pumpkin Bars
Below are the ingredients you’ll need. Quantities and full recipe details are included in the recipe card further down.
- 15 oz can pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
- 10 oz can evaporated milk
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 box yellow or butter cake mix
- 2 sticks melted butter
- 9 full graham crackers, coarsely crushed
How to Make Perfect Pumpkin Bars
Preheat and prepare. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a half sheet pan (18×13 inches) with cooking spray.
Mix the pumpkin base. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, salted caramel sauce, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisk until smooth and evenly blended.
Assemble. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared sheet pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top, then drizzle the melted butter across the surface. Finish by scattering the crushed graham crackers over everything.
Bake. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean. Allow the pan to cool completely before cutting into bars.
Finish and serve. Warm additional salted caramel and drizzle it over each bar before serving. These are excellent with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Tips and Variations
- Use good-quality salted caramel for the best balance of sweet and salty—any jarred ice-cream topping or specialty caramel will work.
- If you like more spice, add 1/4 tsp ground ginger and a pinch each of cloves and allspice to the pumpkin mixture.
- For a crisper top, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end of baking—watch closely to prevent burning.
Storage
Refrigerate: Keep leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze bars in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Recipe Card
Salted Caramel Pumpkin Bars
Prep 10 mins | Cook 45 mins | Total 55 mins • Makes about 26 bars
Ingredients
- 15 oz can pumpkin puree
- 10 oz can evaporated milk
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup salted caramel sauce
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 box yellow or butter cake mix
- 2 sticks melted butter
- 9 full graham crackers, coarsely crushed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a half sheet pan (18×13 inches) with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, salted caramel, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth. Pour into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the pumpkin layer. Drizzle melted butter evenly across the surface, then top with crushed graham crackers.
- Bake 45 minutes or until set in the center. Cool completely, then cut into bars. Warm extra caramel and drizzle over each bar before serving.
Nutrition (per bar)
Calories: 152 kcal • Carbohydrates: 29 g • Protein: 2 g • Fat: 2 g • Sugar: 17 g
Serving Suggestions
Serve at room temperature or slightly warm. Top with whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or an extra drizzle of caramel for a decadent finish. These bars are a favorite at potlucks and holiday buffets because they hold well and slice neatly.
