Pumpkin Pie Bars Bat Crust (Printable Version)

Festive pumpkin bars layered on a chocolate bat cookie crust—ideal for autumn celebrations and Halloween parties.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bat Cookie Crust

01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Pumpkin Pie Filling

09 - 1 cup canned pumpkin purée
10 - 2/3 cup evaporated milk
11 - 2 large eggs
12 - 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
13 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
15 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
16 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
17 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Optional Garnish

18 - Powdered sugar, for dusting

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, extending an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt for the cookie crust.
03 - In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla extract.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
05 - Reserve 1/3 of the dough. Press the remainder evenly into the prepared pan to form the base layer.
06 - Roll reserved dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out bat shapes using a small bat-shaped cookie cutter. Set aside.
07 - In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin purée, evaporated milk, eggs, packed brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
08 - Pour pumpkin filling over the crust base and spread evenly. Place bat cookie cutouts on top of the filling.
09 - Transfer pan to oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the filling is just set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
10 - Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Lift bars out using parchment overhang and cut into individual portions. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Quick to prepare and oven ready in under half an hour
  • Combines the flavors of pumpkin pie and chocolate for the best seasonal treat
  • Perfect for Halloween parties and makes a striking centerpiece for dessert tables
  • Fun to make with children and easy to customize with different cookie cutter shapes
02 -
  • Seasonal flavors and fun presentation all in one dessert
  • High in vitamin A and spices that warm from the inside out
  • Freezes beautifully for make ahead holiday gatherings
03 -
  • Roll your bat cutouts on a well floured surface so the dough does not stick
  • Mix the filling until completely smooth for a lush creamy texture
  • Use the parchment sling for easy lifting after cooling and always let the bars set fully before slicing for the cleanest edges

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