Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Put your
teeth into one of these chocolate and pumpkin bars and you'll come across some
rich, melting pieces of chocolate in every tender, tender and confused bite of
the spicy pumpkin blondie! These chocolate and pumpkin bars are so sinful and
satisfying! The cocoa icing sends them totally over!
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips (reserve some for top of bars)
Instructions
First, Preheat
the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13-inch nonstick foil with aluminum foil
or parchment paper, leaving an overhang on each side so that the bars can be
easily removed from the pan for cutting. Or simply spray the pan with a cooking
spray.
Then, In a
bowl, combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; put
aside.
In the bowl
of a stand mixer or in a large bowl using a portable electric mixer, cream
butter, applesauce, granulated sugar and brown sugar at medium-high speed until
smooth. obtaining a creamy mixture. Beat the egg and vanilla until well
blended. Add the pumpkin purée and mix until a homogeneous mixture is obtained.
Do not worry if the mixture looks curdy - that's fine!
Stir in dry
ingredients, stirring until well blended. Add the chocolate chips.
Spread the
dough evenly in the prepared pan. Cover with reserved chocolate chips, if
desired, and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The edges will start to detach from the
sides of the pan and will be golden and the center will look "swollen"
and cooked. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out with a wet / dry
crumb.
Let cool
completely in the pan before lifting the bars. Cut into squares and serve.
Happy
Cooking Time.
