Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides to make it easier to lift the bars out once they’ve cooled. Lightly grease the parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Make the Graham Cracker Crust

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Stir until all the crumbs are evenly coated with butter and the mixture resembles wet sand. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer. Use the back of a spoon or the bottom of a glass to help press the crust down firmly. Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden and set. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the pumpkin filling.

Step 3: Make the Pumpkin Filling

In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, egg, pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. The sweetened condensed milk adds creaminess and sweetness, while the spices give the bars that warm, autumn flavor.

Step 4: Assemble the Pumpkin Magic Bars

Pour the pumpkin mixture over the graham cracker crust, spreading it out into an even layer with a spatula. This will form the creamy base layer of the bars. Next, sprinkle the chopped pecans, butterscotch chips, toffee bits, and shredded coconut (if using) evenly over the top. For an extra layer of richness, you can also add mini chocolate chips at this stage.

Step 5: Bake the Bars

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. The top should be lightly golden, and you’ll smell the warm, toasty aroma of the butterscotch, toffee, and pecans. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the bars with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Once the bars are done, remove the baking dish from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. This is an important step—if you try to slice them while they’re still warm, the bars might fall apart. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the dish and onto a cutting board. Slice them into squares or rectangles, depending on your preferred size.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Your pumpkin magic bars are now ready to enjoy! Serve them at room temperature for the best texture and flavor. The combination of creamy pumpkin, crunchy pecans, and gooey butterscotch and toffee creates a magical bite that’s perfect for fall.