Easy Pumpkin Pie Bars

Name: Easy Pumpkin Pie Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 9 (135g) full-sheet graham crackers (or 1 and 1/4 cups crumbs); 1/2 cup (62g) chopped pecans; 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar; 5 Tablespoons (72g) unsalted butter, melted; 1 (15 ounce) can pure pumpkin (about 2 cups total; 450g)*; 1 cup (200g) light or dark brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) heavy cream; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1 Tablespoon cornstarch; 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice*; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper; optional for topping: whipped cream and chopped pecans