Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars are a delicious treat that brings together the warm flavors of fall and the sweetness of chocolate. These bars are soft, chewy, and loaded with pumpkin goodness, making them a perfect snack or dessert. They are great for family gatherings, parties, or just a cozy night at home. Plus, they are simple to make and use common ingredients that you might already have in your kitchen!

How to make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a pot on the stove, melt the butter over low heat.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just combined.
5. Fold in the dark chocolate chips.
6. Spread the batter into a greased baking dish.
7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Allow to cool before cutting into bars.

How to serve Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

Serve these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars warm or at room temperature. They are delicious on their own, but you can also pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra treat. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea for a cozy snack!

How to store Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

To store the bars, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. They can stay at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the bars. Just make sure they are well wrapped in plastic wrap or foil before placing them in the freezer. They can be kept frozen for up to 3 months.

Tips to make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

• Make sure to use real pumpkin puree for the best flavor. Canned pumpkin puree works great!
• Don’t overmix the batter; mix only until the ingredients are combined for tender bars.
• Feel free to add nuts, like walnuts or pecans, for an extra crunch.
• If you like your bars sweeter, you can increase the amount of chocolate chips.

Variation

If you want a different twist, you can try substituting the dark chocolate chips with white chocolate chips or adding dried cranberries for a fruity flavor. You can also spice it up by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for a hint of heat.

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned puree?
Yes, you can use fresh pumpkin. Just be sure to cook and puree it until smooth before measuring it out.

2. How can I tell when the bars are done baking?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the bars; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, they are done.

3. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! You can double the ingredients and bake in a larger dish. Just watch the baking time, as it may take a bit longer.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

These delightful pumpkin chocolate chip bars are soft, chewy, and packed with the warm flavors of fall. Perfect for a holiday treat or a cozy afternoon snack, they're easy to make and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 24 bars

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 200

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Bars

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• 1 tsp Baking soda
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp Ground ginger
• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter softened (1 stick)
• 1 1/2 cups Granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup Light brown sugar packed
• 2 Large eggs
• 1 cup Canned pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Equipment

• 9x13 inch baking pan
• Large mixing bowl
• Medium mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Electric mixer
• Spatula
• Wire rack
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Toothpick

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with both granulated and light brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until all ingredients are well combined.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing only until just combined.
6. Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Spread the prepared batter evenly into your greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean.
9. Allow the pumpkin chocolate chip bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting and serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter along with the chocolate chips. Ensure you use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.