When the holiday season arrives I know I’ll face the dreaded slice of pumpkin pie that will be offered everywhere I go. “No, thanks,” I’ll say. People will think I'm just trying to be "good," but truth be told I don't usually like pumpkin pie. But I do love pecan pie! So... the day I tasted a "pumpkin pecan surprise" my kids made for me, everything changed.

These pumpkin pecan treats are now a staple on our holiday table, and if the event is a potluck we always bring them.

Can you tell how moist they are?

They’re perfect throughout the entire holiday season beginning in the fall and all the way through winter, and they’re way better than pumpkin pie!

pumpkin pecan surprise bars

Name: pumpkin pecan surprise bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1 yellow cake mix package (set aside one cup); ½ cup of melted butter; 4 large eggs, beaten; 1 jar of pumpkin butter (13.5 oz.); ½ cup of whole milk; 1 tbsp flour; ½ cup of brown sugar; ¼ cup of softened butter; 1 tsp cinnamon; ½ tsp of cloves; 1 cup of ground pecans (chop in food processor)

Rated 5 stars by 1 users

Servings

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

40 minutes

Here we have an effortless alternative to pumpkin pie. Everyone at your party will love these. They have all the deliciousness of a pumpkin and a pecan pie combined. They're sweet, crumbly, nutty and I'll bet you can't eat just one!

Ingredients

1 yellow cake mix package (set aside one cup)
½ cup of melted butter
4 large eggs, beaten
1 jar of pumpkin butter (13.5 oz.)
½ cup of whole milk
1 tbsp flour
½ cup of brown sugar
¼ cup of softened butter
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp of cloves
1 cup of ground pecans (chop in food processor)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375. Divide the cake mix, placing all but one cup in a mixing bowl
Stir the melted butter and one egg into the cake mix and blend. Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9” x 13” pan.
Mix the jar of pumpkin butter with two eggs and milk. Pour it over the cake mix.
Stir the reserved cup of cake mix with the flour, sugar, softened butter, ground pecan seeds and cinnamon. Mix together with your hands until it’s crumbly. Sprinkle over the top of the pumpkin butter layer.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until it’s golden brown. Cool for 30 minutes and cut into 4” x 2” bars or divide those into squares.

Recipe Note

You can combine the cake mix with pudding, for a moister result. I’ve made this recipe with walnuts instead of pecans and it’s also delicious. And of course, it's always better to serve with a scoop of ice cream.

desserts

Comments 7

Pat on October 25, 2022

If you like Pumpkin you should try ‘Pumpkin Pie Pecans’ from Brothersnuts.com.
Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Non-GMO, Keto-Friendly, Kosher, and manufactured in a USDA certified organic facility that is peanut free.

Maryann S on November 24, 2021

Sounded different and delicious. I have a lot of pecans I got on sale, so made it. Not effortless. Pumpkin butter hard to find and expensive. I made my own which took about 1 hour. Now pull out the food processor to grind up the pecans. Several bowls are needed too. Ingredients list shows 4 eggs, beaten. Only 3 are used, then after you beat them, second step calls for one egg ! ! Most confusing was step 3: “Pour it over the cake mix”. You still have 1 cup of cake mix but that is used in Step 4. I almost poured it over the last 1 cup of cake mix. I finally figured out you pour it over the CRUST you just pressed into the pan using part of the cake mix. I think you need to make a change/correction. It was good, but I will never make it again.

Elizabeth Bellamy on April 19, 2021

What do you do with the 4 egg? The recipe calls for 4 but the directions only use 3. Just a little confused. Sounds delicious and will make for our fall pumpkin patch bake sale. Thank you for all your recipes.

Patricia M Bozzi on December 16, 2020

Sounds delish!! Going to have to try ☺

Mary Lynn Pelzer on December 16, 2020

These pumpkin bars look delicious l, can’t wait to make them!!

Judy Nix on December 16, 2020

I love most anything pumpkin flavored. Where do you get pumpkin butter??

Mariana Larrazabal on December 16, 2020

This recibe looks awesome. Love pumpkin, one of the reason why Fall ios my favorite season. Thenk you, I’ll try it this week.

pumpkin pecan surprise bars

pumpkin pecan surprise bars

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Ingredients

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Comments 7

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