Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodle Bars

Pumpkin season has started early this year!

I usually try and wait until September to start posting pumpkin recipes with the exception of one or two recipes throughout the year.  I couldn't wait this year, but you WILL thank me when you make these bars.

The bottom layer tastes like a chewy, brown sugar, sugar cookie.  It has a rich caramel flavor.  The pumpkin pie layer is not just a creamy pumpkin pie filling.  Thanks to the flour and baking powder, it has some body to it and you can't forget the cinnamon sugar mixture on top.

They hold their shape so-well and can easily be packed in lunches or held in your hand as you vacuum . . . just saying :)

DELISH!

Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodle Bars

(Printable Recipe) or (Printable with Picture)

Cookie Layer
1 c. unsalted butter, room temp.
2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbl. vanilla
3 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Pumpkin Pie Layer
1/2 c. unsalted butter, room temp.
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 heaping tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c. canned pumpkin puree

Topping
2 Tbl. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.  For the cookie layer:  Cream together butter and brown sugar until creamy.  Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.  Add the flour, baking powder and salt and mix until blended.  Spread/press cookie mixture evenly into baking pan.  For the pumpkin pie layer:  Cream together butter and sugar until creamy.  Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.  Add the baking powder, salt, pumpkin pie spice, flour and pumpkin puree and beat until well blended.  Spread evenly over cookie layer.  For the topping: Mix together sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over pumpkin layer.  Bake for 38-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool completely.  Cut and serve.

Jenn's Notes: Recipe can be cut in half and baked in an 8x8-inch baking pan. 

adapted from: Dozen Flours    

Linked up at Weekend Potluck!