By Krista Teigen
Published Oct 29, 2024
It’s fall, and I’m craving alllll the pumpkin treats right now! These pumpkin cookie bars have been really hitting the spot for me lately. They’re like thick and chewy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies crossed with blondies, and I can’t get enough. The pumpkin makes them super moist and flavorful, and the pie spices really enhance the fall flavor. Studded with gooey chocolate chips, these bars are just so yummy!
These pumpkin cookie bars are my festive fall take on a classic chocolate chip cookie bar . I enriched the batter with real pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spices to really bring the autumn flavor. They bake up a beautiful orange color and are the perfect autumn treat!
What’s in This Pumpkin Cookie Bar Recipe?
- Butter: Unsalted butter makes these cookie bars moist and tender.
- Sugar: A combination of brown and granulated sugars sweeten the bars.
- Pumpkin Puree : Adds rich and earthy pumpkin flavor and color to the bars. Make sure to use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling already has added sugars and spices that will make these bars too sweet.
- Egg: Helps bind the bars and keep them moist.
- Vanilla Extract : Enhances the sweet flavor of the bars.
- Flour: All-purpose flour gives these bars structure.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice : Adds warmth and depth to the bars.
- Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise in the oven so they are not dense.
- Salt: Kosher salt enhances the pumpkin flavor of the bars.
- Chocolate Chips: Add pops of delicious chocolate flavor to the bars. I like semisweet, but dark, milk, or white would also work.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overmix the cookie dough/batter; otherwise, your bars may turn out dry and dense.
- The middle of the cookie bars will not look as set as the outside and that’s okay. Once the bars come out of the oven, they’ll continue to bake in the hot pan. It’s better to slightly undercook the bars than overcook them!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover pumpkin cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying at room temperature or gently warmed in the microwave.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter 226 grams, melted (2 sticks)
- ▢ 1 cup brown sugar 213 grams
- ▢ ¾ cup granulated sugar 150 grams
- ▢ 1¼ cups pumpkin puree 284 grams — NOT pumpkin pie filling!
- ▢ 1 large egg 50 grams
- ▢ 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 8 grams
- ▢ 2½ cups all-purpose flour 300 grams
- ▢ 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 9 grams
- ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda 6 grams
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 170 grams
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars using a hand mixer. 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, ¾ cup granulated sugar
- Beat in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until incorporated. 1¼ cups pumpkin puree, 1 large egg, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt. 2½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, and beat lightly until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips. 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool before slicing.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9×13 Baking Pan
- Hand Mixer
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Pumpkin Cookie Bars Step by Step
Cream the Butter and Sugars: Preheat your oven to 350°F, grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, and set aside. In a large bowl, cream 1 cup of unsalted butter, 1 cup of brown sugar, and ¾ cup of granulated sugar together using a hand mixer.
Add the Pumpkin: Beat in 1¼ cups of pumpkin puree, 1 large egg, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until incorporated.
Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl whisk together 2½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt.
Mix the Batter: Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, and beat lightly until just combined. Fold in 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips.
Fill the Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
Bake the Bars: Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the bars cool before slicing.
More Pumpkin Dessert Recipes to Try!
Pumpkin Brownies
Pumpkin Ice Cream
Pumpkin Crisp
Pumpkin Pie Monkey Bread Recipe
Pumpkin Cookie Bars Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 9x13 Baking Pan
- Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter 226 grams, melted (2 sticks)
- 1 cup brown sugar 213 grams
- ¾ cup granulated sugar 150 grams
- 1¼ cups pumpkin puree 284 grams – NOT pumpkin pie filling!
- 1 large egg 50 grams
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 8 grams
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour 300 grams
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 9 grams
- 1 teaspoon baking soda 6 grams
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 170 grams
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars using a hand mixer. 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, ¾ cup granulated sugar
- Beat in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until incorporated. 1¼ cups pumpkin puree, 1 large egg, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt. 2½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, and beat lightly until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips. 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
