Sweets & Treats {4} - Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Bars

Gspice noticed we had a can of pumpkin puree sitting in our pantry the other day. He said we should make pumpkin bread and I promptly said, "You mean the pumpkin bars." We bickered back and forth a couple of times before he fully understood that I wasn't kidding.

I made these bars back in November so that Owen could have a fun pumpkin treat over Thanksgiving. He loved them!

And who knew I would become obsessed? It was literally one of the best pumpkin bars I had ever tasted. And even though it's now four months later, these bars would be tasty anytime of the year!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Bars from the Recipe Girl

BATTER:
1 3/4 cups unsweetened pumpkin puree
1 cup canola or vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup mini- chocolate chips

FROSTING:
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
4 Tablespoons butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar, measured then sifted
1/2 cup mini- chocolate chips (for topping)

Prepare batter: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 10x15-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, oil, eggs and sugars until combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, ginger and cloves. Toss in mini chocolate chips and stir to combine. Add dry ingredients to the wet and stir until moistened.

Pour batter into prepared pan coated with nonstick spray. Bake until the center springs back when lightly pressed in the center- about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove and place on wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla. Slowly add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, and mix until smooth. Frost bars and sprinkle with additional mini chocolate chips.