Description
Harvest season brings delightful Fudgy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars that marry rich autumn flavors with irresistible chocolate indulgence. Creamy pumpkin and melted chocolate create a comforting dessert you’ll crave from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
Sugars and Fats:
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
Spices and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by coating with nonstick spray or lining with parchment paper for effortless removal.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then quickly toast pumpkin pie spice for maximum flavor infusion, removing from heat to prevent scorching.
- Incorporate granulated and brown sugars into the melted butter, creating a rich caramel-like base. Blend in canned pumpkin until smooth and uniform.
- Vigorously mix vanilla extract and kosher salt into the warm mixture. Temper the egg by allowing the mixture to cool slightly before adding to prevent curdling.
- Sift flour and baking powder together directly onto the wet ingredients. Fold gently until just combined, ensuring minimal mixing to maintain a tender texture.
- Transfer batter to the prepared pan, spreading evenly to the edges. Scatter semisweet and dark chocolate chips across the surface, then delicately fold them into the batter.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean and the edges begin to pull away from the pan sides.
- Cool completely in the pan, then lift out using parchment paper. Slice into squares and serve at room temperature for optimal texture and flavor.
Notes
- Adjust spice intensity by adding more or less pumpkin pie spice to match personal taste preferences.
- Use brown butter technique for deeper, nuttier flavor profile in the bars.
- Ensure ingredients are room temperature to prevent uneven mixing and potential texture issues.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg