Description
Homemade pumpkin chocolate chip bars blend autumn’s warmth with sweet chocolate indulgence. Rich pumpkin spice and melted chocolate create a comforting dessert you’ll crave throughout the season.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1½ cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 grams)
- 1 large egg
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 grams)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 325°F and coating a 9×13-inch pan with generous grease to prevent sticking.
- Sift together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt in a compact bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of dry components.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, whip butter and sugar until achieving a cloud-like, aerated consistency that appears pale and voluminous.
- Introduce egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly, then fold in pumpkin puree until the mixture appears smooth and integrated.
- Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to create a cohesive batter without overmixing.
- Delicately fold chocolate chips throughout the batter, ensuring even dispersion of the sweet morsels.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to create an even, level surface that reaches all corners.
- Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, monitoring for golden edges and a clean toothpick test from the center.
- Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely within the pan, which helps set the texture and makes cutting cleaner.
- Once thoroughly cooled, slice into square portions and serve, revealing the rich, spiced interior studded with chocolate chips.
Notes
- Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft and chewy texture.
- Swap chocolate chips with white chocolate or butterscotch chips for a delightful flavor variation that keeps the recipe exciting.
- Enhance the pumpkin flavor by adding an extra teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice or a dash of ground cinnamon to intensify the warm, autumnal taste.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Elevate the dessert by serving slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent treat.
- Cool the bars completely before cutting to ensure clean, sharp edges and prevent crumbling during slicing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg