Snickerdoodle Blondies Recipe โ the pumpkin-cinnamon bar everyone will fight over
If you want a single-bite of fall in every forkful, this Snickerdoodle Blondies Recipe delivers. Think soft, dense pumpkin bars that behave like fudgy blondies, dressed in a crunchy cinnamon-sugar snickerdoodle top โ a trifecta of dessert bliss that somehow feels both nostalgic and next-level.
Short intro: these bars are dense, buttery, and packed with warm spice. No mixer, one bowl, and they come together in minutes. Sound like your kind of baking? Read on.
Why youโll love these pumpkin snickerdoodle blondies
This is the sort of bar that shows up at holiday parties, disappears off cookie trays, and haunts your fridge in the best way.
- Theyโre fast: the batter whips up in minutes.
- Theyโre satisfying: thick, fudgy texture โ not cakey.
- They hit the flavor jackpot: pumpkin warmth + brown sugar depth + cinnamon-sugar crunch.
- No fancy tools needed: one bowl, a whisk, an 8ร8 pan, and youโre golden.
- They age well: flavors meld and the bars get moister after a day.
If you curate a list of Fall Baking Recipes to rotate every autumn, this one deserves top billing.
The story behind the bars (because recipes need a little drama)
Look, Iโve baked a lot โ more than 25 blondies recipes and counting. I adore pumpkin, I adore snickerdoodles, and I adore a good blondie. One day I thought: why not marry them? I riffed off my Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars, cut the chocolate, bumped the spice, and sprinkled a generous cinnamon-sugar crown. The first batch vanished within hours. The second batch prompted a text thread of praise. The third batch made me a holiday legend in my house. True story: once you make these, your friends will begin dropping โwhen are you baking those blondies again?โ like itโs a weekly event.
What makes these bars special
Blondies usually flirt with butterscotch notes from brown sugar. Add pumpkin and you get moisture plus that faintly toasted pumpkin flavor. Top them with a snickerdoodle-style cinnamon sugar and people hear wedding bells. These are dense on purpose โ you want a Blondies Recipe that feels indulgent, not airy.
Pro note: I intentionally skip baking soda/powder here. Yes, you could add leavening for lift, but I prefer the fudgy, sink-your-tooth texture without it.

Ingredients breakdown โ what each one does (and short tips)
Youโll be surprised how pantry-friendly this is. Hereโs the why behind the what.
- Unsalted butter โ melted butter gives a rich, tender crumb and that signature blondie chew. Use unsalted so you control seasoning.
- Egg โ binds the batter and provides structure. One large egg keeps it dense without being greasy.
- Light brown sugar โ the heart of the blondie flavor; adds moisture and that caramel-y undertone.
- Pumpkin puree โ not pumpkin pie filling! This injects moisture, subtle sweetness, and pumpkin flavor. Pumpkin puree is the reason we can keep these bars moist for days.
- Vanilla extract โ flavor enhancer; donโt skip.
- Pumpkin pie spice โ cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves โ the classic pumpkin vibe in one spoonful.
- All-purpose flour โ the framework. Measure carefully.
- Granulated sugar + cinnamon โ for that snickerdoodle crust โ salty-sweet crunch that contrasts the dense interior.
Shopping tip: Use good-quality canned pumpkin or real-puree if you have it. Avoid sweetened blends.
How to make these Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Blondies โ step-by-step
This is a one-bowl, no-mixer job. Follow these steps and youโll be rewarded with thick, soft bars.
- Preheat & prep. Heat oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Grease an 8ร8-inch pan or line it with parchment for easy removal. This is a Dessert Bar Recipe youโll want to lift cleanly.
- Melt the butter. Let it cool slightly so it doesnโt scramble the egg.
- Whisk wet ingredients. In a bowl, whisk melted butter, the egg, light brown sugar, pumpkin puree, and vanilla until smooth. Add the pumpkin pie spice and mix.
- Add the flour. Stir in the all-purpose flour until just combined. Donโt overwork the batter โ you want density, not toughness.
- Spread the batter. Transfer to your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. The batter will be thick. Thatโs good.
- Cinnamon-sugar topping. Mix granulated sugar with ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly across the top of the batter. Press lightly so the topping adheres.
- Bake. Slide into the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted near center comes out with a few moist crumbs โ about 22โ28 minutes depending on oven and pan. Aim for not completely dry.
- Cool & slice. Let the pan cool on a rack; for best slicing, chill briefly so the bars set, then cut into squares.
Bold tip: Donโt overbake. Remove when crumbs cling to the toothpick; overbaking strips moisture and youโll lose that fudgy blondie texture.
Pro tips for perfect results (real baker hacks)
- Use room-temperature egg so it emulsifies easily with the butter and pumpkin.
- Donโt overmix. Beat just until the flour disappears โ overwork = tough bars.
- Press the cinnamon sugar on top. It sticks better and forms a crisp, chewy crust.
- Cool before slicing. If you cut hot, everything squishes and looks messy. Chill 20-30 minutes for clean bars.
- Want deeper flavor? Use dark brown sugar for a molasses-y note.
- For cleaner slices: Run a sharp knife under hot water, dry it, then slice. Repeat between cuts.
Bold tip: Use parchment โ it makes life easier and helps you lift the whole slab for neater cutting.
Variations to try โ make it your own
These bars are a great base for experimentation.
- Chunky chocolate twist: Fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips for a pumpkin chocolate vibe.
- Nutty crunch: Toasted pecans or walnuts folded into batter add texture and holiday energy.
- Maple brown butter: Brown the butter before melting for nutty complexity โ lovely with pumpkin.
- Gluten-free: Swap in 1:1 GF flour blend, but watch texture โ may be slightly more crumbly.
- Spiced-up: Add a pinch of cardamom or ground ginger for exotic warmth.
- Vegan swap: Use flax egg and vegan butter; texture shifts but still very tasty.
Want a drizzled glaze? Mix powdered sugar with a touch of milk and drizzle lightly after cooling โ but I personally love them without to keep that rustic snickerdoodle vibe.

Best ways to serve these blondies
These are dessert-bar heaven and versatile in presentation.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for instant WOW.
- Plate with a dusting of powdered sugar and a cinnamon stick for a pretty holiday offering.
- Wrap individual squares for gifting โ they travel well.
- Stack them on a brunch board alongside coffee cake and pumpkin muffins for an autumn spread.
Craving a pairing? A cup of coffee or a robust tea balances the sweetness nicely.
Storage, make-ahead, and freezing tips
- At room temperature: Keep airtight for up to 1 week. Yes, a week โ they actually soften and improve day two and three.
- In the fridge: Seal and refrigerate to extend life up to 10 days (but you may want to bring to room temp before serving).
- Freezing: Yes, freeze in slices with parchment between layers. Thaw on the counter; you might want to re-sprinkle a tiny bit of cinnamon sugar if it lost crunch.
- Make-ahead: Bake a day ahead. These bars mellow and the spice melds beautifully โ IMO, they taste better after a short rest.
Bold tip: These bars get moister over the first 48 hours โ not a flaw, itโs a feature. Resist eating them all on day one.
FAQs โ short and practical
Can I double this recipe?
Yes. Double and bake in a 9ร13 pan. Keep an eye on bake time โ itโll be longer.
Can I make these in a 9ร9 pan?
You can, but bars will be thinner and bake faster. Reduce time accordingly.
Can I use pumpkin pie filling?
No. Use pumpkin puree only. Pie filling contains added sugar and spices and will throw off the balance.
Do I need to use pumpkin pie spice?
You can blend your own: cinnamon + nutmeg + ginger + cloves + allspice. But the packaged mix is fine and easy.
Will these be cakey if I add baking powder?
Yes โ adding leavening will make them lighter and cakier. If you crave dense bars, skip it.
How do I keep the cinnamon-sugar crunchy?
It will soften over time from moisture. To maintain crunch, sprinkle right before serving or briefly toast under a broiler for a few seconds (watch closely).
Serving occasions โ where these shine
- Thanksgiving desserts spread: they sit beautifully next to pies and cookies.
- Cozy fall bakings and potlucks: they travel and please.
- Weeknight treats: theyโre fast enough for a weekday reward.
- Gift boxes: slice, wrap, and tie with twine โ people love homemade bars.
If youโre curating a fall bake sale or hunting for the ultimate Dessert Bar Recipe, these blondies check the boxes: crowd-pleasing, easy, and clearly seasonal.
Final thoughts โ your next baking win
This is more than a recipe. Itโs a simple formula that blends Baking Sweets nostalgia with modern ease. Whether you bake for holidays, to impress friends, or just because pumpkin season calls, these blondies deliver that rich, spiced, snickerdoodle-bronzed bliss everyone loves.
Go forth and bake. Share if you must, but hide a few squares for yourself. After all, baked goods are a love language, and these are basically a love letter to autumn.
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Easy Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Blondies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
Description
These bars combine silky pumpkin, brown-buttery richness, and a crunchy cinnamon-sugar topโperfect for gifting or stacking on a holiday platter.
Ingredients
- ยฝ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ยพ cup pumpkin purรฉe (not pie filling)
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp pumpkin-pie spice
- 1ยผ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar (for topping)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon (for topping)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Line an 8ร8-inch pan with foil or parchment and lightly grease the liner.
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter (about 60โ75 seconds on high). Let it cool just a bit so the egg wonโt cook when added.
- Whisk the egg into the warm butter, then stir in the brown sugar, pumpkin purรฉe, vanilla, and pumpkin spice until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Fold in the flour and mix only until the batter comes together โ donโt overwork it. The batter will be thick.
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan and even the top with a spatula.
- In a small bowl combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter. It looks like a lot at first, but it melts into the top as the bars bake.
- Bake 25โ27 minutes, or until a toothpick pushed into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). Ovens and pumpkin moisture vary, so adjust time as needed.
- Cool the pan on a rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. For neater squares, chill briefly before cutting.
Bold tip: Avoid overbaking. Remove the bars when a few moist crumbs cling to the tester to keep them dense and fudgy.
Notes
- Storage & make-ahead
- At room temperature in an airtight container, these blondies stay fresh up to 1 week. They actually soften and improve for the first 48โ72 hours.
- Freeze cooled, sliced bars wrapped in plastic and foil for up to 6 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- Note: the cinnamon-sugar top will settle and become less grainy as the bars absorb moisture over time โ thatโs normal.
- Quick note: Use real pumpkin purรฉe (not the canned pie mix) so the texture and sweetness stay balanced. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 202cal
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 13mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 36mg
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