Description
Pumpkin chocolate chip bars blend autumnal warmth with rich chocolate indulgence. Creamy pumpkin and sweet morsels create a delightful seasonal treat you’ll crave from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-Ins:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing slight overhang for easy removal.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring no lumps remain.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, eggs, melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Incorporate cocoa powder into the batter, creating a rich chocolate undertone.
- Gently fold in chocolate chips and walnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula and smoothing the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan for about 1 hour.
- Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and slice into squares.
Notes
- Use high-quality pumpkin puree for the most authentic, rich flavor and ensure it’s not watery to maintain the bars’ fudgy texture.
- Swap walnuts with pecans or omit entirely for nut-free diets, maintaining the recipe’s delicious chocolate-pumpkin balance.
- Check doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – a few moist crumbs indicate perfect, fudgy consistency without overbaking.
- Chill bars in the refrigerator for an hour before cutting to achieve clean, precise edges and enhanced chocolate chip distribution.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg