The best time of the year is FINALLY here! It’s fall! What is everyone’s favorite thing about fall? Pumpkin spice, pumpkin picking, pumpkin carving, and basically anything that has to do with PUMPKIN. And pumpkin combined with chocolate seems like an autumn dream come true. These pumpkin chocolate chip bars are the perfect fall dessert. The soft, moist, and cakelike texture of these bars combine perfectly to make a dream dessert for pumpkin lovers (like me). 

Prep Time: 20-30 minutes 

Cook Time: 35-40 minutes

Total Time: 55-70 minutes

Servings: 18-24 bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin- pie spice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 package (12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips) 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt; set bowl aside.
2. Using a stand or electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth: beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Add pumpkin puree and mix well (the mixture will look somewhat curdled). Reduce speed to low, and mix in the dry ingredients until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. 
3. Spread batter evenly in previously prepared pan. Bake bars for 35-40 minutes and then do a toothpick test to ensure it is cooked all the way through. 
4. Cool bars completely in pan. Cut into squares and serve.