Pumpkin Pie in a bar! A shortbread cookie base + a luscious and creamy pumpkin layer makes for a delicious gluten-free treat! Perfect anytime but especially around the holidays. Plus they are dairy-free optional and super EASY to make.
So excited for you to try these Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie Bars!
A shortbread-like cookie base topped with the yummiest pumpkin pie layer, my taste testers have been going crazy for them!
They make a perfect holiday dessert because you get a taste of pumpkin pie but in a bar form!
They taste indulgent and special, look festive, and are easier to serve and share than pie, making it easy for everyone to have “just at taste”…
Plus they are super EASY to make!
Not sure if your family is like ours, but for Thanksgiving we always have a large assortment of desserts, and following the footsteps of my grandmother who always asked for “a sliver of each”, we all want to taste them all!
Bar treats make it easy to serve, share and try!
A few years ago we transitioned from Pecan Pie to Pecan Pie Bars, last year we added Apple Crumble Bars (in addition to Apple Crisp!) and this year everyone is looking forward to these Pumpkin Pie Bars! (yes, I sent a photo to get permission to make the bars instead of a pie lol!)
So let’s take a closer look at these Gluten-free Pumpkin Pie Bars…
The recipe combines our favorite shortbread cookie base from our Raspberry Crumble Bars with a filling based on my grandmother’s crowd-pleasing Pumpkin Pie to make a real win!
The cookie base has a nice buttery flavor and perfect texture that provides just enough cookie to balance the creamy and luscious pumpkin layer.
So, so yummy!
Before I get to the ingredients…
I have a cooking video on this page, and as with all our recipes, there is a printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this page.
So let’s make them!
They are made with 11 real, whole food ingredients, ones you probably have in your pantry this time of year, except maybe the evaporated milk (a bit more on that later!)
Let’s start with the shortbread cookie base.
It’s just 4 ingredients and comes together quickly.
You’ll need:
gluten-free all purpose flour (we use GF Jules, affiliate link)
cane sugar
salt
butter or dairy-free butter.
As an aside, you may have noticed that we are affiliate for GFJules. To learn more about why we love GFJules flour and why we have used it for 10 years, click here.
Bonus: at the bottom of that post is a one-time use affiliate Discount Code.
And importantly, purchasing through an affiliate link does not change your cost at all. It generates a small percentage of the sale for me, and purchasing through an affiliate link helps me fund this website and all the recipes I share, so thank you!
Back to the gluten-free Pumpkin Pie Bars…
This is one of those baking instances where order of operations matters…. mix the dry ingredients, then mix in the butter 1 piece at a time. Mix well and a dough will form.
Press into a pan and bake for 15 minutes.
While it bakes for just 15 minutes, you mix together the pumpkin pie filling.
As I mentioned, the filling is based on our amazing pumpkin pie which was my grandmother’s recipe so it’s creamy and luscious and has the best flavor!
You’ll need:
canned pumpkin (pure pumpkin puree)
sugar
salt
cinnamon
nutmeg
ground ginger
eggs
milk or coconut milk
evaporated milk or evaporated coconut milk or canned coconut milk
Just a note on evaporated milk…it comes in a can and you can usually find it in the baking aisle. It is simply a milk that’s thicker and creamier than regular whole milk, having gone through a cooking process to remove—or evaporate—over half of the water content.
The pumpkin layer comes together quickly!
You just:
Mix together pumpkin, sugar, salt, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Add eggs and both milks
When the shortbread base comes out of the oven, you simply pour the pumpkin mix on to the hot shortbread layer, rock gently if necessary to spread evenly and bake again!
Just a quick note: The oven temperature changes a few times in this recipe. It’s at 375 degrees F for the shortbread, then raises to 450 degrees for 10 minutes of the pumpkin layer, then 350 degrees for the remaining baking time. This allows the pumpkin to cook well without burning.
After it comes out of the oven, let cool completely. In fact, I’ve been chilling it in the refrigerator a bit too!
Then when ready to serve, slice and add a dollop of whipped cream for a nice festive touch!
The result is a simple, delicious gluten-free dessert that’s sure to be a hit!
Pumpkin Pie in a bar! A shortbread cookie base + a luscious and creamy pumpkin layer makes for a delicious gluten-free treat! Perfect anytime but especially around the holidays. Plus they are dairy-free optional and super EASY to make.
1cup+ 2 tablespoons gluten-free all purpose flourwith xanthan gum (we used GF Jules,affiliate link)
1/4cupcane sugar
¼teaspoonsalt
6tablespoonsdairy free butteror real butter, softened, cut into tablespoons
Pumpkin Layer
1 15ozcan pure pumpkin puree
1/2cupcane sugar
1/2teaspoonsalt
1/2teaspoonground ginger
1/2teaspoonnutmeg
1tablespoonCinnamon
2slightly beaten eggs
1/4cupmilkor coconut milk (I tend to use whole milk in this recipe)
6ozevaporated milk or evaporated coconut milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
Line 8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper such that the paper hangs over the edges OR is tucked in in such a way that you can lift the paper right out of the pan when the bars are done.
Make the cookie base
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, add flour, cane sugar and salt to a large mixing bowl and on low speed combine for about 5 seconds.
Add butter, 1 piece at a time and continue mixing until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 2-3 minutes.
Using your hands, press the dough into an even layer in the prepared baking pan.
Bake 15 minutes.
Pumpkin Layer
Increase oven to 450 degrees F after removing cookie layer.
While cookie layer bakes: Mix together pumpkin, sugar, salt, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Add eggs and both milks. Mix until well combined.
Pour directly onto warm cooked cookie layer. The pan will be hot so wear and oven mitt/ be careful. If necessary, using two oven mitts, gently rock pan side to side to spread evenly.
Bake 10 min at 450°, then 30 minutes 350°, then cover loosely with foil and cook an additional 5 minutes.
Let cool completely (I like to refrigerate after cooling as well), slice and serve with a dollop of whipped cream if desired.
Storing/ Making ahead
Store in the refrigerator.Stay well in the refrigerator (without whipped cream) for several days.
Pro Tip: If making ahead, store covered in the refrigerator and slice when ready to serve. Add whipped cream when serving as well.
These pumpkin bars were delicious and super easy to make! Served with fresh whipped cream … everyone loved them and couldn’t believe they were gluten free.
I made these for thanksgiving and they’re to die for. Came out perfectly and the taste is amazing. I had them for breakfast too the day after thanksgiving. These bars will definitely be a staple in our thanksgiving dinner.
Delicious! I’ve only tried the crust, used it with a different filling recipe… But this time I’m out of dairy free butter!! Would prefer to not use normal butter- is there an alternative?
Great question! While I freeze almost everything, I have never frozen these. I would be a little concerned about the texture changing. You can make them up 2-3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator and slice/ top with whipped cream day of serving.
I haven’t tried it but it should work! I would probably stick with the cinnamon and try 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice in place of nutmeg and ginger. Let me know if you try it!
Voted THE very best food by my family at Thanksgiving this year. Everyone raved. And leftovers in the morning with coffee were so delicious. Thank you!!
Better than traditional pumpkin pie! It’s all about that delicious-melt-in-your-mouth shortbread layer. These were eaten faster than all the other desserts around the table. Thank you for the recipe! They’re delicious!
Thank you again for this delicious and easy recipe! I remembered making these last year and knew I wanted to make them again. I have to say they were even more amazing this year … better than regular pumpkin pie. One slight adjustment I made was to increase the shortbread crust recipe by using a full stick of butter (8 Tbl) and then adjusted the other ingredients by the same proportion because the crust is simply so delicious and complements the filling perfectly. We served them cold with fresh whipped cream …. everyone loves them and they definitely deserve to be savored more than just at Thanksgiving!
Hi! My name is Karen, and I’m the mom in our Healthy Gluten-Free Family. My posts and pictures here and on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter are labors of love that allow me to share a very personal journey with you, one our family has taken together — learning, experimenting and sharing how to raise a healthy happy gluten-free family. Read more ...
These pumpkin bars were delicious and super easy to make! Served with fresh whipped cream … everyone loved them and couldn’t believe they were gluten free.
Yay! Happy everyone loved them! Thank you!!
I made these for thanksgiving and they’re to die for. Came out perfectly and the taste is amazing. I had them for breakfast too the day after thanksgiving. These bars will definitely be a staple in our thanksgiving dinner.
So happy you loved them! Thank you! We made them for yesterday too and any extra are definitely tasty any time of day!
Delicious! I’ve only tried the crust, used it with a different filling recipe… But this time I’m out of dairy free butter!! Would prefer to not use normal butter- is there an alternative?
Happy you love it! Thank you! But I’ve only made it with regular or dairy-free butter.
I’m interested in making these for thanksgiving guests who are GF.
Do you know if these will freeze well?
Thanks
Could these be made in advance and frozen?
Great question! While I freeze almost everything, I have never frozen these. I would be a little concerned about the texture changing. You can make them up 2-3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator and slice/ top with whipped cream day of serving.
Can you use pumpkin pie spice instead of the various spices listed? Thanks
I haven’t tried it but it should work! I would probably stick with the cinnamon and try 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice in place of nutmeg and ginger. Let me know if you try it!
These were delicious!!! Do you happen to have the nutritional info ? Thanks!!!
I made these for a work party and everyone loved them! I made them gluten and dairy free. They were perfect. Thank you so much!
So happy everyone loved them! Thank you for sharing!
Voted THE very best food by my family at Thanksgiving this year. Everyone raved. And leftovers in the morning with coffee were so delicious. Thank you!!
Wow! Love it! I ate one at breakfast this morning too haha Thank you for sharing!
Better than traditional pumpkin pie! It’s all about that delicious-melt-in-your-mouth shortbread layer. These were eaten faster than all the other desserts around the table. Thank you for the recipe! They’re delicious!
Thank you again for this delicious and easy recipe! I remembered making these last year and knew I wanted to make them again. I have to say they were even more amazing this year … better than regular pumpkin pie. One slight adjustment I made was to increase the shortbread crust recipe by using a full stick of butter (8 Tbl) and then adjusted the other ingredients by the same proportion because the crust is simply so delicious and complements the filling perfectly. We served them cold with fresh whipped cream …. everyone loves them and they definitely deserve to be savored more than just at Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much! Happy you love them too! We are actually making them for Christmas too this year because they were such a hit!