Cozy Small-Batch Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
A dense, moist, and chewy small-batch dessert bar that balances pumpkin spice with semi-sweet chocolate chips. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients, these bars are perfect for autumn evenings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (190g) All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Ground Ginger
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ¼ cup (56g) Unsalted Butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) Granulated Sugar
- ½ cup (100g) Brown Sugar, packed
- ½ cup (120g) Pumpkin Puree
- 1 Large Egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ cup (85g) Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet or milk)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. Grease the parchment lightly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
- In a larger bowl, combine softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix with a hand mixer or fork until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
- Beat in the egg, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until just combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed or stir with a spatula until no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips gently.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let bars cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes, then lift out using the parchment sling and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before cutting.
Notes
Ensure pumpkin puree is pure pumpkin, not pie filling. For best results, use Libby’s or Libby’s Real pumpkin puree. Measure flour using the spoon-and-level method to avoid dry bars. Bars continue to cook in the pan after removal, so do not overbake. Cool completely for clean cuts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: pumpkin bars, chocolate chip bars, small batch baking, autumn dessert, easy pumpkin recipe, fall treats, cozy baking