Imagine sinking your teeth into a dessert that captures the essence of fall in every single bite - soft, moist, and bursting with rich pumpkin flavor and decadent chocolate chips. These Sheet Pan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars are not just a recipe; they're a slice of seasonal heaven that will make your kitchen smell like pure comfort. Whether you're a pumpkin spice enthusiast or simply craving a crowd-pleasing dessert that comes together in under an hour, this recipe is about to become your new autumn obsession!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a rimmed 9x13 inch sheet pan with parchment paper, allowing slight overhang for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Ensure all dry ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
- Gently fold in 3/4 cup of chocolate chips, reserving the remaining 1/4 cup for topping.
- Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a smooth surface.
- Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips evenly across the top of the batter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan for about 1 hour. Use parchment paper to lift the bars out and cut into 12 even squares.
- Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate for extra decoration before serving.
Tips
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs and other wet ingredients are at room temperature for a smoother, more evenly mixed batter.
- Don't Overmix: Gently fold ingredients together to keep the bars tender. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense bars.
- Check for Doneness: A toothpick with a few moist crumbs is perfect - it means your bars will be wonderfully soft and not dry.
- Cool Completely: Let the bars cool entirely in the pan to help them set and make cutting easier.
- Storage Hack: These bars stay moist for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature, making them perfect for meal prep or unexpected guests.
- Customize Your Bars: Feel free to swap chocolate chips for nuts, or add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for extra flavor complexity.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 45mg
