Name: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup pumpkin puree; 1 cup sugar; ½ cup vegetable oil; 2 eggs; 2 cups flour; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp cinnamon; ½ tsp nutmeg; ½ tsp salt; 1 cup chocolate chips

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If you’re craving a dessert that perfectly marries the cozy flavors of fall with a chocolaty twist, you’re in for a treat with this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe. Imagine moist, tender pumpkin bars speckled with melty chocolate chips, delivering a delightful blend of pumpkin bread and brownies in every bite. It’s an incredibly easy recipe that will quickly become a staple for your seasonal baking, offering both comfort and a hint of indulgence.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a rectangular glass baking dish filled with a thick, even layer of light brown dough mixed with small dark chocolate chips. The dough surface is smooth with slight texture from the chips and pushed evenly to the edges of the dish. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe relies on simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together effortlessly. Each component plays a key role: the pumpkin puree gives moisture and that unmistakable autumn charm, while the spices infuse warmth. The chocolate chips provide pockets of gooey sweetness, making every bite an experience to savor.

1 cup pumpkin puree: The star ingredient that keeps the bars moist and rich with autumn flavor.
1 cup sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the pumpkin.
½ cup vegetable oil: Ensures a tender texture and helps keep the bars soft.
2 eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure.
2 cups flour: Provides the foundation for these luscious bars.
2 tsp baking powder: Gives the bars a gentle lift for a perfect crumb.
1 tsp cinnamon: Infuses a warm, familiar spice note that complements pumpkin beautifully.
½ tsp nutmeg: Adds depth and a hint of earthiness to the spice blend.
½ tsp salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all other flavors.
1 cup chocolate chips: Melts throughout the bars for delightful bursts of chocolatey goodness.

How to Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready when you finish mixing. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly so your bars come out cleanly and keep their perfect edges.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and velvety. This combination is the heart of your bars’ moist texture and lovely flavor.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Next, incorporate the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Carefully stir everything until just combined—overmixing can make the bars tough, so take it slow and steady.

Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter. This ensures every part of your Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe has bursts of chocolate that melt during baking.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is set and has a gorgeous golden hue. The kitchen will fill with incredible aromas that will make waiting almost impossible!

How to Serve Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe

The image shows a tray of baked brown bars with chocolate chips on top, arranged in a grid pattern with some bars already separated from the rest. The bars have a slightly rough texture with a golden-brown color and dark brown, shiny chocolate chips scattered evenly across the surface. The tray is lined with white parchment paper and placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Once cooled, these bars are perfect on their own but can also be dressed up. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream transforms the bars into a dreamy dessert. A sprinkle of cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar adds a pretty finishing touch too.

Side Dishes

Serve these bars alongside warm coffee or a spiced chai latte for a cozy afternoon treat. They pair wonderfully with fresh fruit or a simple green salad if you want to balance sweetness with something light.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut these bars into bite-sized squares for serving at parties or stack them in a dessert tray for a lovely fall-themed display. You can also drizzle melted white chocolate or a caramel sauce over the top for an extra layer of indulgence that guests will rave about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store leftover Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps them soft and maintains the rich flavors, perfect for a quick snack anytime.

Freezing

If you want to make these bars ahead of time, they freeze beautifully. Wrap individual bars or the whole pan tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and they’ll taste just as fresh as the day you baked them.

Reheating

To enjoy these bars warm, reheat them in the microwave for about 15 seconds or pop them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This brings back that freshly baked feeling with molten chocolate chips and soft, spiced pumpkin goodness.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin for this recipe?

Absolutely! Canned pumpkin puree works perfectly and is actually the most common choice for this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe. Just be sure to use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, for the best results.

Is it possible to substitute the vegetable oil?

Yes, you can swap vegetable oil for melted coconut oil or even unsweetened applesauce for a lighter option. Each will slightly change the texture but keeps the bars moist and delicious.

Can I add nuts to these bars?

Definitely! Chopped walnuts or pecans complement the pumpkin and chocolate flavors beautifully and add a wonderful crunch. Simply fold about ½ cup into the batter with the chocolate chips.

Are these bars gluten-free?

Not as written, but you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour to make them gluten-free. Just be sure your blend contains a binding agent like xanthan gum for the best texture.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

You’ll want to bake the bars until they’re set in the center and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter. The edges should be lightly golden as well.

Final Thoughts

This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe is a true winner for anyone looking to savor fall flavors without fuss. It brings together the warmth of pumpkin and the joy of chocolate in an easy, crowd-pleasing way. I promise once you try it, you’ll want to keep a batch ready to enjoy whenever those cozy cravings hit. Go ahead and give it a go — your taste buds will thank you!