Pumpkin Crumb Bars

'Tis the season... For pumpkin! These pumpkin bars are the perfect treat to share with friends or for a holiday dessert. I love the crumb topping over the soft filling. These are great on their own, sprinkled with cinnamon, topped with whipped topping (try cinnamon whipped topping), or served with ice cream.

Pumpkin Crumb Bars

Crust/ Topping Filling
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour 1 1/2 cups pureed pumpkin
1 1/4 cup oats 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 1/4 tsp ginger
3/4 cup butter, at room temperature 1/8 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp salt
1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk, beaten
1/3 cup evaporated milk

For the crust, in electric mixer beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla together until butter is fluffy. Add in flour, oats, salt, baking soda. Mix until crumbly. Add half the crumbs to bottom of greased 8 x 8 baking dish, pat down. Set aside remaining crumbs for topping. Bake dish at 350° F for 15 minutes, until crust is lightly browned.

For the filling, add pumpkin, brown sugar, and granulated sugar and mix until smooth. Add spices eggs and milk and mix well. After crust has baked, spread over crust and bake at 350° F for another 15 minutes. Pumpkin will set slightly.

After baking for 15 minutes, sprinkle remaining crumbs over pumpkin and bake for another 25 minutes. Crumbs will be slightly browned and pumpkin not too wiggly. Be careful not to over-bake as this will make it crunchy and dry.

Adapted from: http://www.cookingclassy.com/2013/09/pumpkin-pie-crumb-bars/