Pumpkin Bars with Chocolate Chips

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 3 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 1/2 cups mini semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, line it with parchment paper, and butter the parchment too.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt for 20 seconds, then put the bowl aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is evenly blended.
4. Add the egg and vanilla and mix them in, then blend in the pumpkin.
5. Tip in the flour mixture and mix only until it disappears into the batter. Fold in the chocolate chips, holding back 3 Tbsp for the top.
6. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Scatter the reserved 3 Tbsp chocolate chips evenly over the surface.
7. Bake in the heated oven until the bars are set and a toothpick comes out clean or with a damp crumb attached, about 30 – 35 minutes.
8. Cool the bars fully. Use the parchment to lift them out of the pan, then cut them into squares.
9. Store the bars in an airtight container. For longer keeping, refrigerate them, then let them return to room temperature before serving.