Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Squares

Here it is, the first recipe in my 12 Days of Pumpkin challenge.  The great thing about pumpkin is that it is loaded with the antioxidant beta-carotene (vitamin A). Thank you, Susie, for sharing this delightful taste of autumn, and I feel even better knowing it is packed with a nutritional punch!

2 cups flour
1 Tbsp. pumpkin-pie spice OR 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ginger, and ½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp.
1-¼ cups sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin purée*
2 cups (12 oz.) chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease or spray 9x13" baking pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pie spice, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

3. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth; beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in pumpkin purée (mixture may appear curdled). Reduce speed to low, and mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

4. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes.

Cool completely in pan.

*Ironically, my sister made these yesterday as well.  She added the entire can of pumpkin purée (15 oz.) and said it was delish.  Waste not, want not.... add the whole can if you like!

What I like about these:
What don't I like about these?  They literally taste like Fall, laced with chocolate.  Yumm!

These go well with:
A warm tasty beverage.... tea, coffee, hot apple cider.  Or if you prefer, a cold glass of milk.

What I didn't expect:
That the house would smell so amazing, even hours after they came out of the oven.  I went to bed breathing in its fragrant glory.

I recommend making these for:
An office treat, a family gathering, a school snack, an after school snack, or a neighborly offering.  Frankly, just having them on the counter to be devoured is reason enough to stir these up.

This recipe easily receives the 5 out of 5 pumpkin rating.