Prepare to be enchanted by the ultimate autumn indulgence: Pumpkin Nutella Bars! Imagine the rich, comforting warmth of pumpkin spiced cake, perfectly complemented by a luscious, gooey layer of hazelnut chocolate spread. These bars are not just a dessert; they are an experience, a symphony of flavors that captures the very essence of Fall in every single bite. Easy to make and impossible to resist, they are destined to become your go-to sweet treat for cozy evenings, holiday gatherings, or simply when you crave something extraordinary.
Pumpkin Nutella Bars: A Fusion of Fall Flavors and Irresistible Sweetness
As the leaves begin to change and a crispness fills the air, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of pumpkin baking in the kitchen. This time of year, we find ourselves drawn to the comforting embrace of sweet fall treats, and pumpkin is undoubtedly the star. But what if you could elevate that beloved pumpkin flavor with an unexpected twist? Enter Nutella. A perennial favorite in our home, Nutella is a versatile spread that brings a unique richness and a delightful hazelnut-chocolate note to any dish. Its creamy texture and sweet profile make it an ideal partner for the earthy, spiced taste of pumpkin.
Our kitchen is currently a whirlwind of creativity, adorned with candy eyes, pumpkin cans, and baking dishes as we perfect a host of Halloween and Fall recipes. We’re incredibly excited to share new Nutella recipes and pumpkin creations with you soon. These Pumpkin Nutella Bars are just the beginning of our seasonal celebration, offering a truly divine combination that’s both festive and incredibly satisfying. They deliver a gooey, sweet, and utterly delicious experience that perfectly encapsulates the magic of autumn. Don’t be surprised if this recipe quickly earns a permanent spot in your annual baking repertoire!
What about you? Do you have a cherished Fall or Halloween recipe that you eagerly anticipate making every year?
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Nutella Bars
These bars are more than just a dessert; they’re a celebration of flavor and simplicity. Here’s why they’ll become a fast favorite:
- Unforgettable Flavor Combination: The earthy, warmly spiced pumpkin layer perfectly complements the sweet, creamy, and slightly nutty Nutella swirl. It’s a match made in heaven!
- Gooey and Irresistible Texture: Each bite offers a delightful contrast—a soft, cake-like pumpkin base topped with a smooth, melted layer of Nutella that remains wonderfully gooey.
- Easy to Make: Despite their impressive taste, these bars are surprisingly simple to prepare, requiring minimal baking skills and straightforward steps. Perfect for novice bakers and seasoned pros alike.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual weeknight treat, a potluck, a holiday gathering, or a festive Halloween party, these bars are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
- Seasonal Delight: Embrace the flavors of autumn with this festive dessert that uses seasonal ingredients like pumpkin puree and warming spices.
Essential Ingredients for Your Pumpkin Nutella Bars
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating these delectable bars. Most items are likely staples in your pantry, making this a convenient recipe to whip up anytime. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a brief note on their role:
- Unsalted butter: Provides richness and moisture to the dough, ensuring a tender crumb.
- Pumpkin puree: The star of the show! It brings moisture, a subtle earthy flavor, and that characteristic orange hue. Ensure you’re using pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added spices and sugar.
- Dark brown sugar: Contributes to a deeper flavor profile and extra moisture, making the bars incredibly soft and chewy.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the overall structure.
- Egg yolk: Acts as a binder, enriching the dough and contributing to a tender texture without making the bars too cakey.
- Baking soda: The leavening agent that helps the bars rise slightly and achieve a desirable texture.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Ground nutmeg: A key spice for that classic pumpkin pie flavor, adding warmth and complexity.
- Ground ginger: Offers a subtle zest and warmth, complementing the pumpkin beautifully.
- Ground allspice: A unique spice that brings notes of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, tying all the flavors together.
- Ground cinnamon: The quintessential Fall spice, providing a sweet and woody aroma that defines pumpkin treats.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall sweetness and aroma, adding a touch of sophistication.
- All-purpose flour: The structural base of the bars, providing the necessary body and consistency.
- Nutella: The magical hazelnut chocolate spread that creates the gooey, irresistible layer, adding a luxurious depth of flavor.
Essential Equipment for Seamless Baking
Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking experience. These are the key pieces of equipment you’ll need to create your Pumpkin Nutella Bars with ease:
- Large Mixing Bowl: A spacious bowl is crucial for combining all your ingredients without spills. We particularly love a glass batter bowl with a handle, as it provides stability on the counter and makes mixing much more comfortable.
- 8×8 Baking Dish: This size is perfect for achieving the ideal thickness and chewiness for your bars. A good quality metal or ceramic dish will ensure even baking.
- Parchment Paper: My absolute favorite baking hack! Lining your baking dish with parchment paper makes clean-up a breeze and allows you to easily lift the entire batch of bars out for perfect slicing and serving.
- Heat resistant potholders: Safety first! Investing in high-quality, heat-resistant silicone potholders is always a good idea. They offer superior protection and peace of mind when handling hot baking dishes.
More Epic Nutella Recipes to Explore
If you’re a Nutella enthusiast, you’re in for a treat! Nutella’s rich, creamy hazelnut-chocolate flavor makes it an incredibly versatile ingredient for a wide array of desserts. Here are some of our other favorite Nutella-centric recipes that you absolutely must try:
- Nutella Mug Cake
- 3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies
- Nutella Banana Bread
- Nutella Popsicles
- Nutella Fudge
Delightful Pumpkin Recipes for Autumn
Beyond these sensational bars, pumpkin remains a star in countless comforting recipes perfect for the Fall season. From savory soups to decadent pies, its versatility shines through. Discover more ways to enjoy this beloved autumn squash with these fantastic pumpkin recipes:
- No Bake Pumpkin Pie
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup
- Pumpkin Pecan Pie
- Pumpkin Butter
- Pumpkin Liqueur
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip
Check out all of our incredible Pumpkin Recipes for more inspiration!
The Ultimate Pumpkin Nutella Bars Recipe
Pumpkin Nutella Bars Recipe
Print
Rate
10 minutes
25 minutes
35 minutes
16
235
kcal
Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
-
½
Cup
Unsalted Butter
melted -
⅓
Cup
Pumpkin Puree/Canned Pumpkin -
¾
Cup
Dark Brown Sugar -
¼
Cup
White Sugar -
1
Egg Yolk -
½
Teaspoon
baking soda -
½
Teaspoon
Salt -
½
Teaspoon
Ground Nutmeg -
¼
Teaspoon
ground ginger -
¼
Teaspoon
ground allspice -
1
Teaspoon
Ground Cinnamon -
1
Teaspoon
Vanilla Extract -
1 ¾
Cups
All Purpose Flour -
¾
Cup
Nutella
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a small brownie pan or an 8×8 inch baking dish, then line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, combine the melted unsalted butter, pumpkin puree, dark brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix until the mixture is completely smooth and well-combined, typically about 30 seconds. Next, incorporate the egg yolk, baking soda, salt, all the warm spices (nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cinnamon), and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until everything is fully blended. Finally, gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing on low speed until the batter is smooth and just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough bars.
- Carefully press about half of the prepared batter mixture evenly into the bottom of your lined baking pan. Aim for a thin, consistent layer that covers the entire base. Bake this crust in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. This initial bake will set the base before adding the Nutella.
- While the crust bakes, place the ¾ cup of Nutella in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it for a few seconds (15-30 seconds, depending on your microwave) until it becomes slightly warm and easily pourable. Once the crust is partially baked, remove it from the oven. Pour the warmed Nutella evenly over the top of the crust. Gently spread the Nutella with a spatula, being very careful not to tear the warm, soft cookie base. Then, take small, tablespoon-sized scoops of the remaining batter and dollop them over the Nutella layer. Gently spread these dollops with your fingers or the back of a spoon to create an uneven, rustic top layer. It won’t be a perfectly smooth top, but it should mostly cover the Nutella.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 17-20 minutes, or until the top layer is no longer glossy and the edges appear golden brown. The center should be set but still soft. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cooling is crucial for the bars to set properly and for clean, neat slices. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab of bars out of the pan, then slice into 16 squares. Enjoy!
Kitchen Tools
- 8X8 Pan
- Hand Mixer (or Electric Mixer with Paddle Attachment)
- Parchment Paper
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 90
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Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Nutella Bars
Achieving bakery-quality Pumpkin Nutella Bars is simple with a few key tips:
- Measure Accurately: Especially with baking, precision matters. Use proper measuring cups and spoons, and for flour, spoon it into the cup and level it off rather than scooping directly.
- Pure Pumpkin Puree: Double-check your can to ensure you’re using 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains extra spices and sugars that will alter the flavor.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Once you add the flour, mix until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tougher, less tender bars.
- Warm Nutella Gently: Heating the Nutella slightly makes it much easier to spread evenly over the partially baked crust. Be careful not to overheat it, just enough to make it pourable.
- Careful Spreading: When spreading the Nutella, be gentle to avoid tearing the soft, warm crust underneath. A silicone spatula or the back of a spoon works well.
- Cool Completely: This is perhaps the most important tip! It can be tempting to slice into these delicious bars while warm, but they need to cool completely for the Nutella layer to set and for the bars to cut cleanly without crumbling.
- Storage: Store leftover Pumpkin Nutella Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage (up to 3 months) if wrapped tightly.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is perfect as is, feel free to get creative with these delightful variations:
- Add Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle a handful of mini chocolate chips over the Nutella layer before adding the final dollops of pumpkin batter for an extra chocolatey boost.
- Toasted Nuts: For added crunch and flavor, sprinkle some chopped toasted pecans or walnuts over the Nutella before baking.
- White Chocolate Drizzle: Once cooled, melt some white chocolate and drizzle it decoratively over the top of the bars for an elegant finish.
- Cream Cheese Swirl: Instead of the top pumpkin batter layer, try swirling a sweetened cream cheese mixture over the Nutella for a rich, tangy contrast.
- Extra Spice: If you love a bolder spice flavor, you can slightly increase the amounts of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to taste.
Serving Suggestions
These Pumpkin Nutella Bars are versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways:
- Plain & Simple: They are absolutely delicious on their own, perfect for a coffee break or an afternoon snack.
- Warm with Ice Cream: Heat a bar slightly in the microwave and serve with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
- Whipped Cream Topping: A dollop of freshly whipped cream can add a lovely lightness and complement the rich flavors.
- Powdered Sugar Dusting: A light dusting of powdered sugar makes for a beautiful presentation and a touch more sweetness.
- For Parties: Cut them into smaller squares for easy snacking at holiday parties, potlucks, or family gatherings.
Do you love discovering new recipes? Be sure to explore our vast collection of copycat recipes, irresistible dessert recipes, and our convenient CrockPot Recipes, all designed to make your time in the kitchen enjoyable and rewarding!
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Recipe originally shared on September 20, 2015. Updated October 2020.