These bars have all the creaminess and warm spice of classic pumpkin pie — without the stress of rolling out a crust. Sarah Jordan is an award-winning chef from Dublin and now based in Chicago.

For pumpkin batter, in a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, salt, pumpkin pie spice and baking soda ... gently spread to cover ...

Add 3⁄4 cup pumpkin puree, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. Beat until very smooth. Set aside. This is your pumpkin pie layer mixture.