Candy Corn PB Pumpkin Spice Crumble Bars

Candy Corn PB Pumpkin Spice Crumble Bars

Yep, I know. That title is a mouthful. But so are these bars, and I honestly had no idea what to call them. But like anything that it indescribably good, these are a keeper.

If you’ve ever taken a crumb cake and eaten the top off, these bars are for you. Made with pumpkin spice peanut butter (thank you, Jif!), these are so light that they crumble at the slightest touch. It might not make for the neatest edges, but these guys make quite the party in your mouth.

And of course, I had to add in candy corn. Who doesn’t love candy corn? As my friend Dorothy points out, when peanut butter and candy corn are put together, they taste like a Payday bar. And with that pumpkin spice twist, the hint of cinnamon is just…yep. Major win here, guys.

Candy Corn PB Pumpkin Spice Crumble Bars

What I’m far less excited about is the prospect of Hurricane Joaquin. It’s barreling toward the east coast, and if it tracks inland, we’re looking at a probability of days with no power. If my blog goes inactive, you’ll know why.

Power outages are really the pits. When I was a kid, we lost power for several hours at a time during bad storms, but never for days. A few years ago, when my youngest was just a baby, we had a brief but intense storm here known as a “derecho” (no idea that was even a thing, trust me) that knocked power out for a week. A week. It was early July, and we sweated it out, trying to keep our kids comfortable and hydrated. It was hard to drive anywhere because the traffic lights were also knocked out. I will forever hate the power company, thanks to that week.

Candy Corn PB Pumpkin Spice Crumble Bars

Another winter, snow fell heavily and once again, our power went out for a couple of days. We had no heat, so we had to bundle everyone and get the car out through the unplowed snow to a main road, where we lit out for my brother’s house. I felt like a pioneer woman, and not in a good way.

Candy Corn PB Pumpkin Spice Crumble Bars

So you can fully understand that with Joaquin headed our way, I’m once again apprehensive. We’re checking batteries and flashlights, stocking up on nonperishable food and drinks, and preparing to have the children sleep with us. Have I mentioned that our house is in the middle of a forest of tall trees, and that one has actually fallen on the house? It’ll be the basement for us during this storm.

All of this advance worrying is enough to send me hurtling toward the sugar, as usual. It’s the best stress-buster. Wouldn’t you agree?

Candy Corn PB Pumpkin Spice Crumble Bars

When I was single, I’d buy an Entenmann’s ultimate crumb cake on Friday afternoon for the weekend. In the morning at breakfast, I’d read the paper while picking all the crumb off the top with a fork. In other words, crumb cake exists in my world for the crumb.

So why not have a bar that has the same consistency and addictiveness? That’s exactly what is happening here. By taking the egg out of a more standard peanut butter bar recipe, these become mega crumbly. They’re hard to cut, but nobody will care. The best desserts aren’t always the prettiest.

Candy Corn PB Pumpkin Spice Crumble Bars

With the pumpkin spice element added in along with candy corn, these are the perfect autumn indulgence. Eat the bars plain, or crumble them over ice cream. And if the power goes out, these will still be supremely eatable. I can’t think of a better way to prepare for a hurricane than to get baking!

 

Candy Corn PB Pumpkin Spice Crumble Bars

Ingredients

3/4 cup pumpkin spice peanut butter (I used Jif)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 and 1/3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup candy corn

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil and coat with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter, peanut butter, vanilla, brown sugar and sugar until creamy.
  3. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the candy corn.
  4. Pat the dough into the prepared pan.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden. Cool completely and cut into squares. When you're cutting, these will crumble. Be ready for that!
  6. Store in an airtight container.
http://justaboutbaked.com/candy-corn-pb-pumpkin-spice-crumble-bars/

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 24 Comments

  1. Gayle@Pumpkin 'N Spice

    I know I would love these bars because of the pumpkin peanut butter! And that topping too, because I have been known to eat the crumbly topping off bars and cakes. And I love that you added in candy corn too! Sounds just perfect!
    Gayle@Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…30 Minute Thursday: Unstuffed Pepper BakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I’m all about eating off the topping. It’s the best! Thanks, Gayle!

  2. Kate @ Framed Cooks

    Right there with you on the Joaquin anxiety – as a Jersey girl who still remembers Sandy like it was yesterday, I’m more than a little nervous! These treats look like the perfect comfort food – just need the power to stay on!
    Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Roasted String Beans with WalnutsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Looks like Joaquin is heading to sea, Kate. Phew! That would not have been fun. I did not enjoy Isabel! And Sandy was so tragic.

  3. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Mir, you busted out the CANDY CORN!!!! I bought some candy corn M&M’s yesterday from Target!!! you’ll have to try them .. I love these pumpkin spice crumble bars! and YES, oh my gawd, stay safe and be prepared! Hope that Hurricane Joaquin doesn’t do too much damage!!! Stay safe my friend!
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Roasted Raspberry Cinnamon Cupcakes + A Stand Mixer Giveaway!My Profile

    1. Mir

      I’ve had those M & Ms, Alice! They were so cute, but kinda freaky. Like they weren’t sure they were M & Ms anymore…

  4. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen

    Wow! Just loving the sound of these bars. Candy corn and pumpkin peanut butter sounds awesome. Perfect recipe for fall! 🙂

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Anu! I love these flavors!

  5. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    These bars look awesome! I have never had candy corn in a baked good, but it looks SO delicious- gotta try!
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Weekly Obsessions!My Profile

    1. Mir

      You’ve gotta, Medha! They bake in pretty well, as long as you don’t let them hit the sides or bottom of the baking pan!

  6. Mira

    OMG – the hurricane not fun! I hope it isn’t too bad this time! Stay safe! I just got candy corn, but I’m not sure if I have enough to even use it in a recipe, because I love snacking on it. These bars look delicious!
    Mira recently posted…Tomato Cucumber And Spinach Salad With Avocado Parsley DressingMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Looks like the hurricane won’t happen, so yay! I eat all the candy corn, too. Soooo good.

  7. Michele @ Two Raspberries

    YUMMMM these look SO soft! and pumpkin spice I meannn YUMMM! 😉 happy weekend girl!

    1. Mir

      You too, Michele!

  8. annie@ciaochowbambina.com

    Stay safe! Cuddle with kids! Eat crumble bars! Loving that pumpkin spice element that takes ’em over the top!! YUM!
    annie@ciaochowbambina.com recently posted…Chocolate Panna Cotta with Orange and ChiliMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Cuddling with the kids is the best part, Annie! I’m gonna miss it someday.

  9. Manali @ CookWithManali

    Stay safe Mir and eat these crumble bars!!
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Pumpkin Sandwich CookiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Oh, you can bet on that, Manali!

  10. Amanda

    I’m also a big fan of crumb toppings. I could probably eat it in a bowl like cereal. :). These bars look really addictive. I’ve never eaten candy corn baked into anything before. It sounds so good!
    Amanda recently posted…Corn Masa Pizza DoughMy Profile

    1. Mir

      In a bowl like cereal with ice cream on top sounds PERFECT.

  11. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    Okay, I need a box of these bars – STAT. Crumb bars, OMG. And power outages. HATE THEM! We had so many at our old house – long ones for no reason. Yuck! Thanks for the link love!
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Apple Cider Pound CakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I link to your site, like, ALL the time, girl. Because you are mad wise. And we both hate power outages. The worst. Let me keep my iPad!!

  12. Fareeha

    Oh loved this crumble bars. I bet I will never be able to make enough of these to satisfy my kids..
    Fareeha recently posted…South Indian Fish Curry Recipe-Recipe for Fish CurryMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I hope not, Fareeha! Kids eat everything in sight, especially when it’s dessert!

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