Nutella Swirled Pumpkin Cake Bars

Perfectly spiced pumpkin cake bars with thick swirls of Nutella all throughout make these Nutella Swirled Pumpkin Cake Bars the ultimate fall treat!

Tender, Dreamy Cake Bars

Y’all, these Nutella Swirled Pumpkin Cake Bars are a must bake this fall! The combo of Nutella and pumpkin spice is unbelievably delicious. The cake is so tender and moist with these thick swirls of creamy, dreamy Nutella all throughout. And the way the Nutella and pumpkin cake batter blends as they bake to create a slightly crisp, sugary sweet cake top is the best of the best! 

They’re so easy to make which makes them so great to bake over and over again for all your fall festivities.

Perfectly Balanced

Loaded with a full can of pure pumpkin puree as well as the perfect balance of pumpkin spice leaves you without question as what the flavor is. And if you haven’t had the combo of pumpkin spice with Nutella, get to baking this cake asap! It’s one of my absolute favorite combos. The hazelnut and chocolate and pumpkin spice flavors were all meant to be enjoyed together!

I love baking with Nutella (if you’re a fan, you have to check out my favorite Nutella recipes) and of course, pumpkin absolutely dominates my baking when autumn comes (my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins and my Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies are absolute must-try recipes).

Sweet, Simple, Scrumptious

Let’s talk about the different elements that make these cake bars excellent in every way!

You’ll spread half the cake batter into the baking pan and gently swirl it with half the Nutella and then you’ll do it again so there’s good Nutella swirl coverage all throughout the cake. Into the oven it goes for about 30 minutes and that’s all there is to it. Simple, sweet and oh so scrumptious!

Everyone went crazy over these cake bars when I shared them with my family and friends. Literally begging me to bake more and/or to share the recipe with them right away. They’re incredible and irresistible.

You need to make these Nutella Swirled Pumpkin Cake Bars right away. You’re in for an amazing experience!

Ingredients and Supplies

(see recipe card at the bottom of this post for measurements and details. To learn more about specific baking ingredients and how they function in baking recipes, reference my Complete Guide to Baking Ingredients)

Ingredients:

• Unsalted butter: adds richness, tenderness and flavor. Since it’s melted, it also makes mixing easier (no creaming step). It helps create that dense, moist “bar” texture instead of a fluffy cake.
• Granulated sugar: provides sweetness, of course, but also helps with tenderness by breaking down the gluten structure. It balances the earth pumpkin and warm spices.
• Large eggs: helps bind the ingredients together, adds structure, and helps the cake bars rise a little as they bake.
• Canned pure pumpkin: adds moisture, flavor, and a soft, dense texture. It’s the heart of the recipe. Also contributes natural sweetness.
• Pure vanilla extract: flavor enhancer that makes everything taste more rounded and cozy.
• All-purpose flour: structure builder. Too much and the bars get dry; just enough keeps them chewy and soft.
• Pumpkin pie spice: a handy flavor booster with the warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice. It’s easy to make your own with my homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe.
• Baking soda: leavener that helps the bars rise slightly and keeps them from being too dense. Works especially well since there’s acid in pumpkin.
• Kosher salt: balances the sweetness and sharpens the overall flavor. Table salt will actually pack a saltier punch than Kosher salt so if you only have table salt, adjust accordingly.
• Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread): adds pockets of gooey chocolate-hazelnut contrast. Also makes them look extra pretty when swirled.

Supplies:

• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Parchment paper
• Large microwave-safe bowl
• Whisk
• Chopstick or small-ended utensil, for swirling the batter

How to Make Nutella Swirled Pumpkin Cake Bars

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and line with parchment paper for easy lifting from the pan once baked and cooled, if desired. Set prepared pan aside.
• Place the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for about 90 seconds until the butter is mostly melted. Remove from microwave.
• Whisk in the sugar until well combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, and whisk until smooth.
• Add the pumpkin puree and vanilla.

• Whisk until well incorporated.
• Add the flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda and salt and stir until ingredients are well combined into a smooth batter.
• Spread half the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Dollop with half the Nutella (in teaspoonfuls).

• Gently swirl the Nutella around into the batter with the end of a chopstick (or another small ended utensil), touching the bottom of the pan as you swirl.
• Gently spread the remaining batter over the first layer and dollop with the remaining Nutella. Swirl through all of the batter just a few times, both horizontally and vertically. Try not to over swirl.
• Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist pumpkin cake crumbs. If the top starts to brown, but the center needs more time, tent the cake with foil and continue to bake until it’s baked all the way through.
• Let the cake cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Storage

Store in an airtight container or covered tightly at room temperate for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To freeze, let the bars cool completely. Cut them into squares, wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temp or warm them for 10–15 seconds in the microwave to get that gooey Nutella swirl again.

If you make my Nutella Swirled Pumpkin Cake Bars, be sure to snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see. If you’re on Facebook, be sure to join my Friends of The BakerMama group to connect and share all the fun and yummy recipes of mine that you make! 😍 I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the ideas I share. Enjoy!

xoxo,

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