There is nothing quite like the smell of pumpkin and cinnamon baking in the oven on a crisp fall day. These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars come together with simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand, and the combination of pumpkin puree, warm spices, and melted chocolate chips makes for a soft, moist bar that your whole family will love. Whether you are making these for a fall gathering, a school treat, or just because you have an extra can of pumpkin in your food storage, this recipe is one you will want to keep on repeat all season long.
When fall hits, I love everything pumpkin, and these pumpkin chocolate chip bars are so easy to make. They are a cross between a cookie, a cake, and a brownie. In other words, this dessert is yummy! Mark and I like all kinds of treats, particularly those containing chocolate. We also love the flavor of pumpkin, so this combination is a special treat.
They are so moist and chewy. I love making Pumpkin Cookies, but I must keep scooping them on the baking sheet. This recipe is a blessing if you want to scoop them once!
You just spread the batter evenly in the baking pan and bake it. We especially enjoy our treats if they have a moist texture. These bars truly satisfy our cravings.
Then as it bakes, you smell this wonderful pumpkin aroma throughout the house, it’s called yummy yum! Now, I love cinnamon, but pumpkin spice is not my favorite.
You can use either one, but I didn’t use the pumpkin pie spice with this version of the recipe. Either way, these little bars rock with flavor!
Ingredients:
Butter: Use real butter, softened to room temperature, not melted. Softened butter creams properly with the sugar, trapping air that helps these bars rise and stay tender rather than dense.
White granulated sugar: This sweetens the bars and also helps keep them moist, since sugar draws in and holds onto moisture during baking.
Egg: Acts as the binder, holding all the ingredients together while adding richness and helping the bars set up properly as they bake.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor and enhances the warmth of the spices and chocolate. A good quality vanilla makes a noticeable difference here.
Pumpkin puree: Be sure to grab plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, since the pie filling already has sugar and spices added, which will throw off your recipe. Pumpkin puree adds moisture, natural sweetness, and that classic fall flavor, along with a boost of vitamin A.
Cinnamon or Pumpkin Pie Spice: Either one brings that cozy, warm flavor we associate with pumpkin desserts. Pumpkin Pie Spice is simply a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, so if you want a more complex flavor, reach for that instead of plain cinnamon.
Salt: A small amount of salt balances the sweetness and actually makes the other flavors, including the chocolate and spices, taste more pronounced.
Baking soda: This is your leavening agent, reacting with the acidity in the pumpkin to help the bars rise and give them a soft, tender texture.
White flour (bread flour): Flour provides the structure for the bars. Using bread flour instead of all-purpose flour adds a bit more protein, which can give the bars a slightly chewier texture.
Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chips add pockets of melted chocolate to every bite and balance the pumpkin and sugar without overpowering them.
Pumpkin Cookies-A Family Favorite.
The Very Best M&M Cookie Bar Recipe
Kitchen Items You May Need
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer (Costco has great prices)
- Spatula
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Whisk
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Step One
We had a shortage in the stores of pumpkin puree a couple of years ago, but it’s back in stock now, until everyone buys it up! Gather together all the ingredients so you’re ready to go.
Step Two
Preheat the oven to 350°F(176°C) degrees. Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper. Use a hand or stand mixer to cream the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.
Step Three
Add the egg and vanilla until thoroughly mixed.
Step Four
Grab a bowl and whisk the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly mixed and fluffy.
Step Five
Add the pumpkin puree and mix, it will have a curdled look to it. It’s perfect.
Step Six
Now, add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until smooth.
Step Seven
Fold in the chocolate chips gently. Spread the mixture evenly in your greased baking pan.
Step Eight
Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bars comes out clean. Cool on a cooling rack and cut when completely cool. Enjoy. These are so moist they will be a family favorite.
Finished Product: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
These are so good, my friends. You need to make them now and again during the holidays! Your family and any guests will really enjoy eating these bars.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1-1/4 cups white granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not the pie type)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon or 1 tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups white flour (I use bread flour)
- 2 cups chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan, or use parchment paper to line your baking pan.
- Use a hand or stand mixer to cream the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the egg and vanilla until thoroughly mixed.
- Add the pumpkin puree and mix, which will have a curdled look. It's perfect.
- Grab a bowl and whisk the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly mixed and fluffy.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until smooth.
- Fold in the chocolate chips gently
- Spread the mixture evenly in your greased baking pan.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bars comes out clean.
- Cool on a cooling rack and cut when completely cool. Enjoy. These are moist, and I think they will be a family favorite.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
How do I store these?
They stay moist for 4-5 days if stored with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. They become more moist during the second day.
Can I freeze these?
Once you bake these, you can store them in serving sizes in airtight containers for up to 3 months. We often bake more than we can eat during the first day or two, so putting them in the freezer is part of our plan for special treats like this.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars are the kind of treat that travels well and pleases a crowd, which makes them perfect for so many family occasions throughout the fall and winter months. Here are some wonderful places and occasions where your family can enjoy sharing these bars.
Church Gatherings and Potlucks
These bars are an easy addition to a potluck table at church. They cut into neat squares, hold up well at room temperature, and offer a comforting, familiar flavor that appeals to all ages, from little ones to grandparents.
School Parties and Classroom Treats
Whether it is a fall party, a harvest festival, or just a special snack day, these bars are simple to pack into a container and send along with your children. They are far more wholesome than many store-bought treats, and other parents often ask for the recipe.
Family Game Nights
Set out a plate of these bars during a cozy evening of board games or cards with the family. The warm spices and chocolate chips make them a nice pairing with a cup of hot cider or coffee while everyone gathers around the table.
Thanksgiving and Fall Gatherings
While pumpkin pie often takes center stage at Thanksgiving, these bars make a wonderful addition to the dessert table for guests who want something a little different, or for the days leading up to the holiday when you want a taste of fall without a full pie.
Neighborhood Get-Togethers
Bring a batch to a neighbor who just moved in, or share them at a block party or outdoor fall gathering. They are easy to slice, easy to share, and always a welcome surprise on someone’s doorstep.
Road Trips and Camping
These bars travel well in a container for a road trip to visit family or a weekend camping trip. They do not require refrigeration for short periods, which makes them a practical, satisfying snack when you are away from home.
Sharing with Those in Need
Consider baking an extra batch to share with an older neighbor, a new mother, or someone going through a hard season. A homemade treat like this often means more than people expect, and it is a simple way to show love to those around you.
However your family decides to enjoy these bars, they are a wonderful reminder that simple ingredients and a little time in the kitchen can bring people together. Store any extras in an airtight container, and they will stay soft and delicious for several days.
Final Word
I really hope you try my pumpkin chocolate chip bars because they are so easy to make, and you can share some with your neighbors. Who doesn’t love something homemade, right? Please keep prepping; we must. May God Bless this world, Linda
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