If you’re on the hunt for a perfect autumn treat that brings together cozy spices and moist, cake-like texture, these Delicious Gluten-Free Pumpkin Squares are here to transform your dessert game. Bursting with pumpkin flavor, kissed with cinnamon and nutmeg, and boasting a wonderfully tender crumb, these bars deliver all the homey comfort of classic pumpkin bakes but in a gluten-free, crowd-pleasing package. Whether you’re serving up a family afternoon snack or sharing a platter at your next gathering, this easy recipe guarantees flavorful, festive, and totally irresistible pumpkin squares every single time!
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple, reliable ingredients, these pumpkin squares come together effortlessly. Each component adds something unique—the spices deliver signature warmth, the pumpkin gives incredible moisture, and the gluten-free flour blend keeps the whole treat light and accessible. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why:
- Canned Pumpkin Puree: Use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, for pure flavor and extra moistness.
- Brown Sugar: This deepens the flavor with its molasses notes, keeping the squares soft and adding lovely sweetness.
- Large Eggs: Essential for structure and a rich, fluffy texture—it helps everything bind perfectly.
- Vegetable Oil: Makes the squares incredibly moist and tender while keeping them dairy-free if needed.
- Vanilla Extract: A small splash goes a long way in enhancing all the pumpkin spice flavors.
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Blend: The heart of these bars! Use a blend that includes xanthan gum or add a little yourself to help mimic the structure of wheat flour.
- Baking Powder: Lifts the batter, ensuring your squares are light and airy instead of dense.
- Baking Soda: Works with the acidic ingredients for the perfect rise and crumb.
- Salt: A pinch of salt sharpens the sweetness and brings all the flavors together.
- Ground Cinnamon: The essential pumpkin spice—always generous with cinnamon for true fall flavor.
- Ground Nutmeg: Adds a sweet and slightly nutty aroma that plays beautifully with pumpkin.
- Ground Ginger: Just a little zesty ginger pep for complexity and warmth.
- Ground Cloves: Intensifies the spice profile and rounds out the heartiness of each bite.
How to Make Delicious Gluten-Free Pumpkin Squares
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and warm when your batter is ready. Grab an 8×8-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper (for ultimate easy removal) or give it a light grease to prevent sticking. This quick prep step sets you up for pumpkin square success!
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the canned pumpkin puree, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is satiny smooth. Take a minute to whisk this really well—the better you blend at this stage, the fluffier your squares will be later on.
Step 3: Whisk the Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, combine your gluten-free flour blend with baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Whisk everything together thoroughly to distribute the leaveners and spices evenly. This ensures every bite of your Delicious Gluten-Free Pumpkin Squares is perfectly seasoned—no pocketfuls of spice!
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Don’t overmix—just a few turns of the spatula and you’ll have a thick, fragrant batter. This is where the magic happens: the flour soaks up all those beautiful pumpkin and spice flavors!
Step 5: Into the Pan and Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula so everything bakes evenly. Pop it right into your hot oven for 25 to 30 minutes. The aroma will start to fill your kitchen as the squares cook—watch for the classic test: a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a crumb or two.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Let the pan cool completely before lifting out the slab and cutting into squares. This patience pays off—the bars firm up as they cool, for neat slices and perfect serving squares every time!
How to Serve Delicious Gluten-Free Pumpkin Squares
Garnishes
The fun part! For a simple yet elegant finish, dust your cooled squares with powdered sugar, or go all in with a slather of tangy cream cheese frosting. Chopped pecans or walnuts scattered over the top are a winner, and a drizzle of caramel adds a gorgeous, decadent touch for special occasions.
Side Dishes
Pair these treats with a steaming mug of chai, coffee, or spicy hot apple cider. If you’re serving them as part of a dessert buffet, add some crisp apple slices, fresh fruit, or vanilla ice cream on the side to balance the richness and spice of the squares.
Creative Ways to Present
For a holiday party, stack the squares on a rustic wooden board lined with parchment and alternate with cinnamon sticks and little pumpkins for a seasonal centerpiece. Or, cut the squares small and skewer them alongside fruit for festive dessert kabobs—Delicious Gluten-Free Pumpkin Squares are truly the star wherever they go!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You’ll want to store these squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator—this keeps them moist and flavorful for up to four days. If you’re stacking them, slip a bit of parchment between layers to prevent sticking. The flavors settle and deepen even more after a day, making leftovers extra tempting.
Freezing
Delicious Gluten-Free Pumpkin Squares freeze brilliantly! Wrap each square individually in plastic wrap or parchment, then pop them all in a zipper bag or airtight container. They’ll keep for up to two months and you can thaw one or a whole batch anytime you need a fall-flavored pick-me-up.
Reheating
To bring your squares back to just-baked coziness, simply set them out at room temperature for an hour, or give them a quick zap in the microwave (about 15–20 seconds per square). If you’re going all out with frosting or garnishes, add these after reheating for the best look and texture.
FAQs
Can I make these Delicious Gluten-Free Pumpkin Squares dairy-free?
Absolutely! The recipe is already dairy-free thanks to the use of oil instead of butter. Just make sure your gluten-free flour blend doesn’t include any dairy ingredients, and if you add frosting, opt for a dairy-free version.
What gluten-free flour blend works best?
Look for a high-quality, cup-for-cup all-purpose gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum or guar gum for best results. Popular brands like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur work beautifully here, but feel free to use your favorite mix as long as it’s suitable for baking.
Can I make Delicious Gluten-Free Pumpkin Squares ahead for a party?
Yes—these squares are even better the next day! Bake them, cool completely, cover tightly, and keep chilled until ready to serve. Add any swirls of frosting or fresh garnishes just before your guests arrive for a picture-perfect finish.
What’s the best way to slice them neatly?
Let the baked slab cool completely in the pan, then use a sharp knife (rinsed with warm water and dried between cuts) for clean, crisp edges. Parchment paper lining makes it simple to lift out the whole treat and cut on a cutting board.
Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
Definitely! Double all ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Watch the baking time—start checking for doneness after 30–35 minutes since every oven is different. More Delicious Gluten-Free Pumpkin Squares for everyone!
Final Thoughts
There’s something so soul-satisfying about whipping up a batch of Delicious Gluten-Free Pumpkin Squares—the aroma, the warmth, the first bite that tastes like autumn in dessert form. Whether you dress them up with toppings or keep things simple, these pumpkin squares are guaranteed to win hearts at any table. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try and discover just how easy (and delicious!) gluten-free baking can be.
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Delicious Gluten-Free Pumpkin Squares Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 9 squares 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the warm flavors of fall with these delicious gluten-free pumpkin squares. Perfectly spiced and easy to make, they are a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
- Blend the mixtures: Gradually combine dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes.
- Cool and slice: Allow to cool before slicing into squares.
Notes
- For added decadence, top with cream cheese frosting or dust with powdered sugar.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
