Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour (315g)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar, divided (½ cup for crust/topping base, ½ cup for streusel)
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (Cold, cubed)
- 1 standard 15-ounce can Canned Pumpkin Puree (425g)
- 2 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 (14-ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk (396g)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Ginger
- ¼ teaspoon Allspice
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- Prepare the Dry Mix: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups of the flour, ½ cup of the sugar, the cinnamon, and salt.
- Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry mix. Use your fingertips or a pastry blender to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Form the Crust: Press about two-thirds of this crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Reserve the remaining one-third for the topping.
- Make the Filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, condensed milk, vanilla extract, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform.
- Layer the Filling: Carefully pour the pumpkin filling over the pressed shortbread crust and gently spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Create the Streusel: To the reserved crumb mixture, stir in the remaining ½ cup of sugar and the remaining ½ cup of flour until just combined and crumbly.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the pumpkin filling. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden.
- Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack before lifting them out by the parchment handles and slicing into 16 squares. Cooling is crucial for neat cuts.