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Oh boy. Looks like it’s pumpkin spice time again.
That means all of your favorite pumpkin recipes will be showing their faces just about everywhere. If you want to see this no-bake pumpkin spice ritz bar in action before you make it, watch the video below:
I have a confession to make: I’m not a big pumpkin fan. I know! It’s Fall, pumpkins are everywhere, but I just haven’t gotten into the craze. I’ll drink a pumpkin spice latte if you twist my arm, but it’s not my favorite.
This pumpkin spice ritz bar recipe changed the game for me. A lofty goal I have for October is to make up as many new bar recipes as I can, and these pumpkin spice ritz bars are the start of this mini-series.
A No-Bake Pumpkin Spice Treat
Oh, I didn’t share the best part yet: these are no-bake! The secret ingredient is a sleeve or two (actually 3) of ritz crackers. These are made similar to rice krispy treats, so the kids can help.
I actually got the Aldi brand of buttery crackers to save some money, and even the canned pumpkin and marshmallows are from ALDI.
The result is a buttery, creamy, pumpkin rich dessert that you didn’t have to turn on the oven to make. The bars make it easy to ration out, but if your family ends up eating the whole pan, we won’t judge.
Ready to bake? I mean, not bake? Let’s go!
Pumpkin Spice Ritz Bars
serves 8
Ingredients:
1 bag marshmallows
3 sleeves of ritz crackers
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions:
Lightly spray an 8×8 baking dish with oil spray. Place a piece of wax paper inside of the pan. Lightly spray the wax paper with oil. Make it long enough that it goes over the sides of the pan, to create “handles” to lift out the dessert once it’s time to cut it.
Place the ritz crackers in a food processor and pulse until they turn into cracker crumbs. It may take a few processing sessions to do all of the crackers. Once they are done, place in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
Place the butter in a large microwaveable bowl, and microwave for 30 to 45 seconds, until the butter is melted but not bubbling.
Place the bag of marshmallows in the microwaveable bowl, and coat with the melted butter. Place in the microwave for 90 seconds, or until marshmallows are melted together and “puffy.”
Stir the butter/marshmallow mixture until the butter is fully incorporated. Once blended, add in the pumpkin, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg. Stir until blended, about 15 to 20 rotations.
Pour in the cracker crumbs and toss until the mixture comes together. The consistency will be similar to playdoh. Once the mixture holds together, place it in the 8×8 pan.
Let cool for at least 2 to 4 hours, or overnight. Pull out the bar with the wax paper handles and cut to desired sizes.
Looking for another great no-bake recipe featuring Ritz crackers? Try these Ritz cookies!
Yum! This sounds really good. I need to try it this year.
Great photo and I’m with you, I could pass on pumpkin pie on the holidays but I’m sure I’ll love these and what a great dish for me to take to the family gathering.
Yum! Those look really good, never would have thought of this recipe!
Wow, very interesting recipe. I am going to try this sounds so tasty.Thanks :0)
Love! I’m a fan of anything with pumpkin in it. Those bars look really good.
I love pumpkin.
These sound wonderful. The sweet crackers with the spicy pumpkin make a great flavor combination.
So easy! So good! Hardest part is waiting the 2 hours before you can eat them!
Can this be doubled for a 9 x 13 or will it throw proportions off? thanks – looks great
Thanks for commenting! I’ve actually never doubled it, but now I’m up to the challenge! I’ll try doubling it this coming week and see if it still comes out the same way.