Pumpkin Spice Bars (Doctored Cake Mix)

If you love a delicious pumpkin pie but don’t have the time to bake one, have I got a great alternative for you! These simple Pumpkin Spice Bars are quick and easy, and start with a box of cake mix!

My Journey with Pumpkin

If you have been following this blog any length of time you probably know what I’m about to say. I’m allergic to pumpkin.

The last time I took even a nibble I had to immediately take Benadryl. That won’t be happening again!

So, when I decided to create a pumpkin spice bar, I knew that someone else would have to taste-test it for me. I knew just who to ask, my friend Brittany.

Pumpkin Spice Flavor for the Win!

Brittany stopped by and ate one of the bars, then took the rest home for her family. She loved them! Our conversation went something like this:

“If you warmed it up a little and put some whipped cream on it, it would taste like Thanksgiving!!” 

• ME: Is it okay? 
• HER: Okay? 
• ME: Yeah, is it tolerable? 
• HER: It’s more than tolerable! It tastes like pumpkin pie!”
• ME: Okay, then. Guess it’s good. 
• HER: (taking another piece) Mm-hmm! If you put some whipped cream on this, it would taste like Thanksgiving!
• ME: (reaching for the whipped cream) Alrighty then!

So, even though I haven’t personally tasted this recipe, Brittany says it’s good. And Brittany has very discriminating tastes!

Pumpkin Spice Bar Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick look at what you’ll need to make these bars. These are simple ingredients you might already have on hand. If not, they’re readily available at local grocery stores.

• spice cake mix
• large eggs
• room temperature butter
• pumpkin puree
• sweetened condensed milk
• pumpkin pie spice
• chopped pecans (optional)

You don’t have to wait until pumpkin season to have this luscious bar! Thanks to canned pumpkin, you can eat it year ’round!

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Bars

These came together so easily! (And I didn’t even have to touch the pumpkin puree to pull it off!)

Pre heat oven to 350 F

Prepare dish by spraying with nonstick spray. Add a piece of parchment paper for easy lifting.

Place spice cake mix, 1 egg, and melted butter into large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. (An electric mixer will do just fine if you don’t have a stand mixer!)

Mix at low speed until it comes together. 

Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. 

Place in preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. 

Make your Pumpkin Mixture 

Place pumpkin pie filling, sweetened condensed milk, egg, and spice into your mixing bowl. 

Beat until light and creamy at medium speed (or mix by hand).

Stir in nuts (optional).

Pour batter into hot partially baked crust.

Smooth out pumpkin filling as best you can. 

Place back in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. 

Cool on wire rack for an hour and then refrigerate for another hour.

Place on workspace and cut into 24 pieces.

Serve and enjoy!

Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap. These back can be frozen up to two months.

Variations on this Classic Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Sweet Potatoes: I might actually make these bars with sweet potato puree next time because I’m not allergic to that. I think it would be delicious with the same exact spices.

Cream cheese frosting: Add a layer of cream cheese frosting on top of the bars after they cool. Delicious!

Light brown sugar: Add half a cup to the pumpkin mixture for a greater depth of flavor.

Serve with a pumpkin spice latte! (Fun, right?)

Shortbread crust: For more of a shortbread-like crust, skip the egg in the cake mix and just use butter. Spread about 2/3 of the crumb mixture on bottom and sprinkle the remaining third on top of the pumpkin mixture.

Pie crust: You can always use a thickened pie crust on bottom. I think it would be a lovely, flaky alternative to the cake option.

Vanilla extract: You can add a teaspoon to the pumpkin mixture if you like, for added depth of flavor.

Other Pumpkin Offerings from Out of the Box Baking

I might be allergic but that hasn’t kept me from baking with pumpkin. Most people love pumpkin desserts, after all. I just have to be super careful not to touch any of the pumpkin, so I’m very careful. Here are a few fan favorites your whole family can enjoy:

Deep Dish Pumpkin Pie

• This is a versatile deep dish pie, perfect for pumpkin or even sweet potatoes!

Homemade Pumpkin Bread

• Enjoy this delicious recipe for homemade pumpkin bread! Talk about an easy recipe!

Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake

• Enjoy this recipe for Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake. (It starts with a box of cake mix, too!) This is one of those pumpkin recipes you’re going to enjoy during the holidays.

Pumpkin Dessert Master List

• You can find all of my pumpkin desserts by following this link!

Follow this link for a comprehensive post listing more of my fall cookies and bars, perfect for autumn!

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Learn more about doctored cake mixes, the theme of this blog. 

For the master list of all doctored cake mix recipes on this site, visit Doctored Cake Mix Recipes, Master List. 

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That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe. 

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