Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars

It's the first day of fall: cue all things pumpkin! Truth be told, I don't even like the pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks (horrors!), but I do love pumpkin baked goods. These bars were a new recipe find, and I really liked how they turned out. They're incredibly moist and super chocolate-y, just how I like my baked treats.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
3/4 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips + 2 Tbsp for sprinkling

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray, and set aside.

Melt the butter in a large microwaveable bowl. Let cool, then add the egg, pumpkin, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Whisk until smooth. Add the flour and stir until just combined; do not over-mix. Stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips. Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top gently with a spatula. Evenly sprinkle the 2 Tbsp of chocolate chips across the top.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until done. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs. Allow bars to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Store in an airtight container. Makes 16 bars.

source: recipe slightly adapted from a dash of lovely, originally from averie cooks