Pumpkin Squares - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Daniela Apostol · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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Pumpkin Squares, or Romanian Pumpkin Pie, Fall's finest and most beloved dessert. Melt-in-your-mouth homemade shortcrust pastry, delicious pumpkin filling with a touch of cinnamon, this is one recipe you gotta try for Thanksgiving. It's not quite the classic pumpkin pie you are used to, but it's absolutely delicious, and so easy to make.

Pumpkin Squares - My Gorgeous Recipes (1)

My version of pumpkin bars or squares is a bit different from what people might picture when they want a pumpkin dessert. Let's say this is the Romanian-style pumpkin goodness, rather than the classic American pumpkin pie. Oh, but they are so delicious!

It's closer in texture to the classic apple pie, and it has pie crust at the bottom as well as at the top. Unlike the classic shortcrust pastry, this one uses oil, which means it needs no chilling before baking, and no blind baking either.

The crust and filling are baked at the same time, and the bars are out of the oven in 25 minutes. That really is super easy, and quick too.

Unlike the more traditional pumpkin pie which is made with canned pumpkin puree, these bars are best made with roasted pumpkin, as we need a denser, chunkier texture for the pumpkin, otherwise the bars will ned up being rather messy.

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  • Ingredients needed
  • Step-by-step photos and instructions
  • A healthier pumpkin dessert
  • Other pumpkin desserts
  • Pumpkin Squares
Pumpkin Squares - My Gorgeous Recipes (2)

Ingredients needed

  • medium pumpkin-3 cups pumpkin puree
  • granulated sugar- add more sugar to taste for the filling
  • cinnamon
  • plain flour - to make the shortcrust
  • full-fat milk
  • vegetable oil
  • eggs + 1 for brushing the pies
  • bicarbonate of soda
  • semolina
  • a pinch of salt

Step-by-step photos and instructions

It's best to start with the filling first, so it can cool down before we make the pie crust. In the oven the pumpkin goes until the flesh it soft, the time depends entirely on how big it is. Once it's baked, scoop the flesh out, add the cinnamon and sugar and leave to cool down completely.

Pumpkin Squares - My Gorgeous Recipes (3)

Note! It's it very important to leave the filling to cool down completely, otherwise the crust will end up all soggy. Another thing that helps is to sprinkle semolina over the filling, before the second crust comes on top. This absorbs moisture, and helps the crust bake beautifully.

  • beat the eggs with the sugar until it the mixture doubles its volume and had a pale yellow colour
  • add the milk and oil, and mix again
  • in a bowl, sift the flour, add the bicarb of soda and a pinch of salt
  • combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, and use your hands to knead gently until you get a dough that does not stick to the hands

You can add more flour if you feel that the dough is still sticky, although you should not need too much more.

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  • divide the dough into 2 balls, roll one dough into about ¼ cm thickness
  • arrange it on a baking tray lined with a parchment paper, then spread the filling over and sprinkle some semolina on top
  • roll the second ball of dough, and line it over the filling
  • bake for 25 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius (350 Fahrenheit) until golden
  • sprinkle over icing sugar
Pumpkin Squares - My Gorgeous Recipes (5)

A healthier pumpkin dessert

These delicious pumpkin pies do not require a ridiculous amount of sugar, we only use 2 tablespoons for the filling, and 4 for the crust. But given that we end up with 20 squares, I would say the amount per portion is not too bad at all.

Plus, the filling is made with naturally sweet roasted pumpkin puree. There are no nasty hidden ingredients here, and we know exactly that we use only natural ingredients.

There are 7g of sugar per square, which is way lower than any other store-bought treat has. So, I would definitely consider these pumpkin bars to be on the healthy side. Do give them a go!

Other pumpkin desserts

Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Filling

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Pumpkin Linzer Cookies

Jack-O'-Lantern Pumpkin Hand Pies

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If you’ve tried these PUMPKIN BARSor any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can alsoFOLLOW MEonFACEBOOK, andPINTERESTto see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to.

Pumpkin Squares - My Gorgeous Recipes (7)

Pumpkin Squares

Pumpkin Squares, or Romanian Pumpkin Pie, Fall's finest and most beloved dessert. Melt-in-your-mouth homemade shortcrust pastry, delicious pumpkin filling with a touch of cinnamon, this is one recipe you gotta try for Thanksgiving. It's not quite the classic pumpkin pie you are used to, but it's absolutely delicious, and so easy to make.

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Romanian

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 20 squares

Calories: 124kcal

Author: Daniela Apostol

Ingredients

For the filling

  • 1 medium pumpkin (3 cups pumpkin puree)
  • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar ( add more sugar to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon

For the crust

  • 425 g plain flour
  • cup full-fat milk
  • 4 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs + 1 for brushing the pies
  • 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • 1 tablespoon semolina
  • a pinch of salt

Metric - US Customary

Instructions

  • For the filling, cut the pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds, then arrange it on a roasting tray.

  • Bake at 200 degrees Celsius (390 degrees Fahrenheit) until the flesh it soft.

  • Scoop out the flesh from the pumpkin, add it to a bowl, then use a fork to mash it well.

  • Mix in the sugar and cinnamon and allow to cool completely.

  • To make the crust, beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture doubles its volume and has a pale yellow colour.

  • Pour in the milk and oil, and mix again.

  • In a large bowl, mix the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt, then add them to the wet ingredients.

  • Use your hands to work the dough until soft and no longer sticky.

  • Shape it into 2 balls, then roll the first one so that it can cover the bottom of a baking pan that had been oiled and floured ( I used a large rectangle baking tray).

  • Sprinkle one teaspoon of semolina over the bottom dough sheet, then spread the filling evenly, sprinkle one more teaspoon of semolina over it, and top it with the second dough sheet.

  • Beat the egg and brush it over the pie.

  • Bake in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) until golden, depending on your oven it might take about 25 minutes, but do check the oven regularly.

  • Allow it to cool and sprinkle powdered sugar over it.

Video

Notes

  • Click on the US Customary link to see the measurements displayed in cups and ounces.
  • The servings can be adjusted by clicking the number next to Servings.

Nutrition

Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 66mg | Potassium: 274mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 5827IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg

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Pumpkin Squares - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is pumpkin puree the same as canned pumpkin? ›

Canned pumpkin (labeled as "100% pure pumpkin") is a purée of pumpkin that is sometimes mixed with other kinds of winter squash. It is unsweetened and does not contain any added spices. Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing, and you'll often see the terms used interchangeably in recipes and cookbooks.

What Flavours go with pumpkin? ›

To complement pumpkin with sweet flavor pairings, consider using spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and vanilla, or sweet ingredients like chocolate, maple, honey, cranberries or brown sugar. Create savory dishes by pairing pumpkin with spices like chilies, cajun, cayenne or pepper.

How long are pumpkin desserts good for? ›

Homemade pumpkin pie is safe in the fridge for two to four days, and you should refrigerate the pumpkin pie promptly after it cools. Place your pie in a sealed container or loosely wrap it in plastic wrap or foil to refrigerate. You can also bake your pumpkin pie weeks ahead of time and freeze it.

What happens if you use pumpkin pie mix instead of pumpkin puree? ›

Pumpkin pie filling shouldn't be used in place of pumpkin puree since the finished dish will be too sweet. You can always set the can aside to make a quick pumpkin pie another day.

Does homemade pumpkin puree taste better than canned? ›

Based on my taste tests, I think that fresh puree would easily elevate any savory pumpkin dish such as soup or pasta. The fresh, unadulterated flavor and fluffy texture would work wonderfully in savory dishes, especially because even “sugar pumpkins” aren't very sweet on their own.

What is the meat of the pumpkin called? ›

The pulp is part of the pumpkin fruit that we eat, and is often called the 'meat' of the pumpkin. This is what is used to cook soups, pies, bread, and other yummy treats!

What is the most delicious pumpkin? ›

For cooking, you'll want to use sugar pumpkins (also called pie or sweet pumpkins), which are small and round. Long Island Cheese pumpkins, which are more oblong and can look like a wheel of cheese, are also good to eat. Field pumpkin types are larger, have watery, stringy flesh, and are best for decorating.

What fruit tastes good with pumpkin? ›

Mandarin oranges have a distinct flavor profile that make them easy to use in many different recipes. But one pairing you might not have considered is the pumpkin. You can taste for yourself with our Foodpairing-inspired dessert creation: Pumpkin Ice Cream with Mandarin oranges and Chocolate mousse.

What enhances pumpkin flavor? ›

Popular blends of pumpkin spice include warming flavors that are often found in baking, like ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and cinnamon. While different blends vary in proportions and some other spices may be be included in smaller quantities, those spices tend to be the most popular.

Can dogs eat pumpkin? ›

Yes, dogs can eat pumpkin and it is actually often added to dog foods. Check the label of some dog treats and you may find pumpkin on the ingredient list there too. However, if you are feeding fresh pumpkin, you will need to be careful about which part you're feeding as the stem and leaves are covered in prickly hairs.

What cheese goes well with pumpkin? ›

Blue cheeses like gorgonzola team up well with the notes of dried fruit typical of pumpkin. Another excellent pairing is with a nice fresh goat's cheese since its acidulous notes offset the sweetness of pumpkin.

Why are store-bought pumpkin pie not refrigerated? ›

Commercially-produced pumpkin pies are typically made with preservatives that allow them to remain shelf-stable for longer at room temperature. Most store-bought pies will include a sell-by date, which gives you an idea of how long they will remain safe to eat—even stored at room temperature.

Is it OK to eat pumpkin pie that was left out overnight? ›

How Long Can Pumpkin Pie Be Left at Room Temperature? Your pumpkin pie can safely sit out on the kitchen counter for up to 2 hours, says the FDA. After that, you run the risk of bacterial growth.

Can I eat 7 day old pumpkin pie? ›

How should pumpkin pie be eaten? If you leave it in the fridge, it is good for about 3 days. If it is left in a freezer, it is good for about 7 months.

Can I substitute can pumpkin for pumpkin puree? ›

Most canned pumpkin is pureed pumpkin. It's been cooked and canned, but you'd have to cook it anyways to make it soft enough to puree. As long as you get plain canned pumpkin without added seasonings, it's the same as what you would make at home.

Can I use canned pure pumpkin instead of pumpkin puree? ›

Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing. These terms are often used interchangeably in recipes, though you may also see the term solid-pack pumpkin. All these terms mean 100% steamed and pureed pumpkin—no extras, no add-ins—not even in the canned variety.

How do I substitute fresh pumpkin puree for canned? ›

How much fresh or frozen pureed pumpkin would you need to substitute for one can of canned pumpkin in a recipe? Use the exact same amount the recipe calls for. If a recipe calls for a 15 oz can of pumpkin, use 15 oz of fresh (prepared) pumpkin which is about 2 cups MINUS 1 Tablespoon.

How much pumpkin puree equals a can? ›

How Many Cups in a Can of Pumpkin, Really? Fifteen ounces of canned pumpkin is just shy of 2 cups (16 ounces would be 2 cups). By comparison, a 3-pound pie pumpkin will likely give you enough puree for a recipe that calls for a can of pumpkin.

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