Pumpkin Bars… Made with Spice Cake Mix!
If you’re looking for super soft pumpkin pecan bars, these are the ones to make. They’re fast, easy, and the little bit of chocolate tastes so decadent along with the richly spiced pumpkin and the crunchy candied pecans I used. This is kind of an odd recipe, which you’ll see in the recipe instructions below. But just follow the directions as specified and you’ll be wowed by this dessert! Buttery, soft pumpkin spice bars dotted with pecans and chocolate chips. Delish!
Ingredients in Pumpkin Cake Mix Bars
To make these pumpkin bars with cake mix, you’ll need:
Pumpkin puree (and you use the whole can, which is nice) Evaporated milk Eggs Sugar Vanilla extract Pumpkin pie spice Cinnamon Spice Cake Mix (or yellow cake mix) Melted Butter Candied pecans (or regular pecans or walnuts) Chocolate chips
How to Make Cake Mix Pumpkin Bars
This is an incredibly easy pumpkin bar recipe with cake mix … but things get a little weird in the baking process. I’ve gone into detail in the section below (as well as in the recipe card at the end of this post), but just trust the process! Here’s how to make pumpkin bars with spice cake mix: A note on the bake time: If you are in doubt as to whether the bars are done or not, this is a dessert where I would err on the side of overbaking rather than underbaking since if you underbake you could end up with bars that are so soft they will just fall apart. I adapted the recipe from another and the original website suggests baking 50-60 minutes, although in my oven they would have been burnt by 60 minutes.
Can I Use Another Kind of Cake Mix?
If desired, you can make these pumpkin bars with yellow cake mix instead of spice cake mix.
Can I Use Gluten-Free Cake Mix?
Yes! You’re welcome to use your favorite gluten-free spice cake mix if desired. The texture of the bars will of course be slightly different, but pumpkin desserts are always a bit denser and moister so I don’t think the different will be huge.
Can I Make These Bars From Scratch?
If you’re not a cake mix person and want a delicious 100% from-scratch pumpkin bar recipe, make these Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chips Bars instead.
Recipe Variations
These cake mix pumpkin pecan bars are very straightforward so there’s not a ton of wiggle room in the recipe. However, you’re welcome to try the following variations:
Use a gluten-free cake mix if that’s necessary for you. Use plain pecans if you can’t or don’t want to buy candied pecans. Use different mix-ins altogether, if desired. Any combination of baking chips and nuts will work! Use all nuts or all chocolate chips, noting that the bars will have a different texture and depth of flavor depending on what combination of mix-ins you choose. Use yellow cake mix if you can’t find spice cake mix.
How to Store Pumpkin Cake Mix Bars
Because my bars were very soft and because it was still in the low 80s during the day in San Diego when I made these, I stored these in the fridge. However, depending on the softness level of your bars, your preference for chilled desserts, and your climate, you can store them at room temp if you prefer.
Tips for Making Pumpkin Bars with Cake Mix
Nuts: I used candied pecans (thank you, Trader Joe’s) but you can use regular pecans or even walnuts. However, for me, a praline dessert means pecans not walnuts, although I know there is some debate on that. Pumpkin: Note that this recipe calls for pumpkin puree, which is NOT the same thing as canned pumpkin pie filling. Spice levels: Feel free to adjust the cinnamon in these pumpkin dessert bars. I like quite a bit in my bars, but you may prefer more or less.
More Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes:
My FAVORITE PUMPKIN RECIPES on my blog! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes!
Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars – Super soft and are like biting into a piece of rich pumpkin fudge! Loaded with chocolate and crazy good!
Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting— Moist pumpkin cake is topped with a creamy homemade cream cheese frosting. This easy fall dessert is perfect for Thanksgiving, Halloween, and more!
The Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake with Chocolate Ganache – One of my all-time favorite cakes, EVER! This is a must-make that everyone loves!
The Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread – Super soft, moist, rich pumpkin flavor, and loaded with chocolate chips! Easy, no mixer recipe that’s the BEST!
Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Bread – Super soft, tender, moist pumpkin bread with a slightly crunchy cinnamon sugar topping!! The mini loaves are EASY, brimming will fall flavors, totally IRRESISTIBLE, and accidentally vegan!!
Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies – A thick, hearty oatmeal cookie and a soft, chewy pumpkin cookie all in one! Lots of chocolate, not at all cakey, easy, and your new favorite pumpkin cookie recipe!
Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies – No cakey cookies here! Soft, chewy, thick, loaded with chocolate and bold pumpkin flavor! Your new favorite pumpkin cookies!
Cream Cheese-Filled Pumpkin Bread – Pumpkin bread that’s like having cheesecake baked in! Soft, fluffy, easy and tastes ahhhh-mazing!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies — Rich, fudgy brownies topped with pumpkin and chocolate chips!
