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Fudgy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

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Fall is here, and with it comes the delightful flavors of pumpkin and warm spices. If you’re looking for a cozy, chocolate-filled dessert to complement the season, look no further than these Fudgy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars. They combine the rich, gooey texture of blondies with the earthy warmth of pumpkin, delivering the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Whether you’re hosting a fall gathering, a cozy movie night, or just craving something delicious, these bars are sure to hit the spot.

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Fudgy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

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Soft, spiced, and loaded with chocolatey goodness! 🎃🍫 These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars are the ultimate fall treat. Ready in just 30 minutes! ⏳✨

  • Total Time: 30minutes

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter (2 sticks) 🧈 – This adds richness and flavor.
  • 1 cup granulated sugar 🍬 – For sweetness and texture.
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar 🍬 – Adds a deep caramel flavor.
  • 1 (8-oz) cup canned pumpkin 🎃 – Make sure to use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 🌿 – Mexican vanilla is preferred for an enhanced flavor.
  • 1 large egg 🥚 – Helps bind the ingredients together and adds structure.

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour 🌾 – Provides the base for the batter. Make sure to spoon and level it to avoid too much flour.
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 🌿 – This blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger brings warmth and depth to the bars.
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt 🧂 – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder – Helps the bars rise slightly for a perfect texture.

Add-Ins:

  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 🍫 – Adds sweetness and that melty chocolate goodness.
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips 🍫 – Brings a richer, slightly bitter flavor to balance the sweetness.

Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13 inch pan by spraying it with nonstick spray or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2️⃣ Melt Butter and Toast Spices

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once it’s bubbly and hot, add the pumpkin pie spice. Let the spices toast for a few seconds until fragrant. This step intensifies the spice flavors, making the bars even more aromatic and flavorful.

3️⃣ Add Sugars and Pumpkin

Stir in the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and combined. Next, add the canned pumpkin and mix well. The pumpkin adds moisture and a mild flavor that pairs beautifully with the spices and chocolate.

4️⃣ Add Vanilla and Egg

Stir in the vanilla extract and kosher salt. Then, add the egg, making sure to stir quickly so it doesn’t curdle. It’s best to let the mixture cool slightly before adding the egg to prevent this.

5️⃣ Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Add the flour to the mixture but don’t stir yet. Sprinkle the baking powder on top of the flour and mix it into the flour before combining everything. Gently stir until the flour is just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix—this is crucial for achieving that fudgy texture!

6️⃣ Fold in Chocolate Chips

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the semisweet and dark chocolate chips on top, folding them into the batter gently. Don’t overmix—this helps the chips stay intact and not melt too quickly.

7️⃣ Bake to Perfection

Bake the bars for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with no wet batter. The edges should pull away slightly from the sides of the pan. The top should look set and lightly golden.

8️⃣ Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool in the pan before slicing. For an extra indulgent treat, dig in while they’re still warm and the chocolate is gooey! If you prefer clean, sharp slices, allow them to cool completely before cutting.

Notes

1. Don’t Overmix

Overmixing the batter can result in a cakier texture rather than the desired fudginess. Once the flour is added, gently fold the ingredients until just combined.

2. Room Temperature Ingredients

Make sure your egg is at room temperature so it blends smoothly into the batter. This ensures an even texture and prevents lumps.

3. Toast the Spices

Toasting the pumpkin pie spice in the melted butter before combining with the other ingredients enhances the flavors, giving your bars a deeper, richer taste.

4. Check for Doneness

Keep an eye on the bars while baking. They should be golden brown around the edges but still soft in the center. A toothpick test should come out with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter.

  • Author: Paula Susan
  • Prep Time: 5minutes
  • Cook Time: 25minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Blondies

These Pumpkin Blondies stand out for their incredible fudgy texture, packed with pumpkin flavor and bursting with chocolate chips. They are not your typical cakey pumpkin bars. Instead, they are dense, rich, and indulgent, similar to brownies but with the unmistakable taste of fall.

Key Features:

  • Fudgy and Rich: Unlike traditional cake-like pumpkin desserts, these bars have a dense and chewy texture, just like your favorite brownies.
  • Perfect for Pumpkin Lovers: With real pumpkin puree and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, these bars are a pumpkin lover’s dream.
  • Chocolate Heaven: Each bite is packed with semisweet and dark chocolate chips, making them a perfect treat for chocoholics.
  • Easy to Make: This one-bowl recipe comes together quickly with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to make these irresistible Fudgy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars:

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter (2 sticks) 🧈 – This adds richness and flavor.
  • 1 cup granulated sugar 🍬 – For sweetness and texture.
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar 🍬 – Adds a deep caramel flavor.
  • 1 (8-oz) cup canned pumpkin 🎃 – Make sure to use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 🌿 – Mexican vanilla is preferred for an enhanced flavor.
  • 1 large egg 🥚 – Helps bind the ingredients together and adds structure.

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour 🌾 – Provides the base for the batter. Make sure to spoon and level it to avoid too much flour.
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 🌿 – This blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger brings warmth and depth to the bars.
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt 🧂 – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder – Helps the bars rise slightly for a perfect texture.

Add-Ins:

  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 🍫 – Adds sweetness and that melty chocolate goodness.
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips 🍫 – Brings a richer, slightly bitter flavor to balance the sweetness.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13 inch pan by spraying it with nonstick spray or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2️⃣ Melt Butter and Toast Spices

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once it’s bubbly and hot, add the pumpkin pie spice. Let the spices toast for a few seconds until fragrant. This step intensifies the spice flavors, making the bars even more aromatic and flavorful.

3️⃣ Add Sugars and Pumpkin

Stir in the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and combined. Next, add the canned pumpkin and mix well. The pumpkin adds moisture and a mild flavor that pairs beautifully with the spices and chocolate.

4️⃣ Add Vanilla and Egg

Stir in the vanilla extract and kosher salt. Then, add the egg, making sure to stir quickly so it doesn’t curdle. It’s best to let the mixture cool slightly before adding the egg to prevent this.

5️⃣ Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Add the flour to the mixture but don’t stir yet. Sprinkle the baking powder on top of the flour and mix it into the flour before combining everything. Gently stir until the flour is just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix—this is crucial for achieving that fudgy texture!

6️⃣ Fold in Chocolate Chips

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the semisweet and dark chocolate chips on top, folding them into the batter gently. Don’t overmix—this helps the chips stay intact and not melt too quickly.

7️⃣ Bake to Perfection

Bake the bars for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with no wet batter. The edges should pull away slightly from the sides of the pan. The top should look set and lightly golden.

8️⃣ Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool in the pan before slicing. For an extra indulgent treat, dig in while they’re still warm and the chocolate is gooey! If you prefer clean, sharp slices, allow them to cool completely before cutting.

Tips for Making the Perfect Pumpkin Blondies

1. Don’t Overmix

Overmixing the batter can result in a cakier texture rather than the desired fudginess. Once the flour is added, gently fold the ingredients until just combined.

2. Room Temperature Ingredients

Make sure your egg is at room temperature so it blends smoothly into the batter. This ensures an even texture and prevents lumps.

3. Toast the Spices

Toasting the pumpkin pie spice in the melted butter before combining with the other ingredients enhances the flavors, giving your bars a deeper, richer taste.

4. Check for Doneness

Keep an eye on the bars while baking. They should be golden brown around the edges but still soft in the center. A toothpick test should come out with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter.

Serving Suggestions

These Pumpkin Blondies are fantastic on their own, but you can elevate them even further by pairing them with:

  • Vanilla Ice Cream: The cool creaminess of ice cream complements the warm, fudgy texture of the bars perfectly.
  • Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light, airy contrast to the dense bars.
  • Caramel Drizzle: For a decadent twist, drizzle warm caramel sauce over the top before serving.

These additions make the bars an impressive dessert for parties, holiday dinners, or casual gatherings.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

These pumpkin chocolate chip bars are easy to store, making them perfect for meal prep or keeping on hand for a quick treat.

Room Temperature:

Store the bars tightly sealed at room temperature for 2-3 days. This keeps them soft and fudgy.

Freezing:

These bars freeze beautifully! Simply place the sliced bars in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature in the sealed container.

Variations on the Classic Recipe

If you’d like to mix things up, here are some delicious variations to try:

1. Nutty Twist

Add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for a crunchy texture and extra richness.

2. Spiced Pumpkin Blondies

Increase the amount of pumpkin pie spice for an extra bold flavor. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick of heat.

3. White Chocolate Pumpkin Blondies

Swap out the semisweet and dark chocolate chips for white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier twist.

4. Gluten-Free Version

Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these bars gluten-free. Make sure all your other ingredients, like chocolate chips and pumpkin puree, are gluten-free as well.

5. Vegan Pumpkin Blondies

To make this recipe vegan, swap the butter for coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute, and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I Use Fresh Pumpkin Instead of Canned?

Yes! If you prefer to use fresh pumpkin, roast and puree it until smooth. Make sure to drain any excess liquid, as canned pumpkin is denser and more concentrated.

2. Can I Double the Recipe?

Absolutely! If you’re making these for a crowd, you can double the recipe and bake it in two pans or a larger sheet pan. Just make sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.

3. Can I Add Extra Chocolate?

You bet! If you’re a chocolate lover, feel free to add more chocolate chips to the batter or sprinkle extra on top before baking.

Final Thoughts: Fudgy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

These Fudgy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars are the perfect way to celebrate fall. Packed with warm spices, rich pumpkin, and gooey chocolate, they’re a delicious twist on the traditional pumpkin dessert. Whether you’re sharing them with friends or enjoying them all to yourself, these bars are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face with every bite.

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