Enjoy the delightful taste of fall with these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars! They are moist, flavorful, and perfectly sweet, making them the ideal treat for any occasion. With the rich flavor of pumpkin combined with yummy chocolate chips, this dessert is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Why Make This Recipe
These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars are easy to make and a fantastic way to celebrate the pumpkin season. They are perfect for gatherings, snacks, or cozy nights at home. Plus, they fill your kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma that everyone will love. This recipe is not just delicious but also provides a healthy dose of pumpkin, which is packed with nutrients.
How to Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and whisk until fully incorporated. Stir in the pumpkin purée until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy your Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars!
How to Serve Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
These bars are delicious on their own but can be enhanced with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top. You can also drizzle some caramel sauce for an extra sweet touch. They are perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying as a cozy dessert at home.
How to Store Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
To keep your Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’d like to keep them for longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. You can also freeze these bars for up to three months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly before freezing.
Tips to Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
- Make sure your pumpkin purée is not sweetened; use plain pumpkin for the best flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars light and fluffy.
- Feel free to add nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Check your bars a few minutes before the baking time is up to avoid overbaking.
Variation
For a different flavor, try adding dried cranberries or swapped chocolate chips for butterscotch chips. You can also make them gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh pumpkin purée, but make sure it is cooked and blended until smooth.How do I know when the bars are done baking?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the bars; if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, they are done.Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just use a larger baking dish and increase your baking time slightly.
Enjoy baking and sharing these delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup pumpkin purée Use plain, unsweetened pumpkin purée
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and well combined.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture, and whisk until fully incorporated.
- Stir in the pumpkin purée until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
Baking
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares.