pumpkin chocolate chip squares

even though we are hitting record high temperature in southern california, i couldn't resist. fall baking is the best. these filled the house with the smell of sweet spice. recipe adapted from peacocks on my porch.

pumpkin chocolate chip squares

ingredients

2 cups flour

1 T pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup canned pumpkin

12 oz. chocolate chip (i used the big kind)

directions

preheat oven to 350 degrees. line bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. in a medium bowl, whisk together flour, pie spice, baking soda and salt. set aside. with an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until smooth; beat in egg and vanilla until combined. beat in pumpkin (mixture may appear curdled). reduce speed to low, and mix in dry ingredients until just combined. fold in chocolate chips. spread batter evenly into prepared pan. bake until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes. cool completely in pan. lift cake from pan (using foil as an aid). peel off foil and use a serrated knife to cut into 24 squares.

can't find pumpkin pie spice? use 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 3/4 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, and 1/8 tsp each allspice and ground cloves.

this was a quick, easy and clean recipe - the foil makes clean-up so much easier! delicious, moist and perfect. xo.