These pumpkin blondies are everything I love about fall. They are thick, chewy, and soft all at the same time and have the perfect hint of pumpkin spice and chocolate in every bite!
Table of Contents
AKA Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
If you were only going to make one more pumpkin recipe this fall, THIS would be the blondie recipe I would tell you to make. Seriously. I could NOT stop eating them. And the ingredients may already be on my shopping list so I can make them again.
These pumpkin blondies don’t have the typical pumpkin texture you have in a pumpkin pie or my pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting. It’s more in between pumpkin chocolate chip bread and easy homemade brownies. The pumpkin keeps them super soft and moist like in my pumpkin cake mix cookies!
Recipe Ingredients
These pumpkin blondies are not exactly traditional. I make mine with granulated sugar instead of brown, but they taste so good it will not matter one bit. Mix together these pantry staple ingredients for an easy dessert. It is the perfect combination!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Pumpkin puree: I like to use Libby’s if I am short on time, but I prefer to make my own pumpkin puree.
- Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet is my favorite because they work perfectly with the earthiness of the pumpkin.
- Flour: I use all-purpose to add texture and structure to the blondies.
- Sugar: I prefer granulated sugar to traditional brown sugar as it adds a lighter sweetness to the pumpkin and lets the spices shine.
- Butter: Once beaten, butter adds the right amount of creaminess needed to keep the cookies moist and light.
- Pumpkin pie spice: The classic spices for the perfect fall flavors.
- Salt: Just a little bit helps enhance the other ingredients.
- Vanilla extract: I use 2 Tablespoons to elevate the sweetness of the pumpkin.
- Baking soda: This leavening agent helps the blondies from getting too dense, but still allows them to be chewy.
- Egg: The main binder that brings everything together and activates the baking soda.
How to Make Pumpkin Blondies
These pumpkin blondies are so simple to make! Pumpkin blondies are filled with chocolate chunks that are warm and delicious in every bite. Mix the wet and dry ingredients together to make a delicious baked treat that everyone loves!
- Combine. Sift together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Beat. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Then mix in the egg, pumpkin puree, and vanilla. Slowly add in the flour mixture and mix until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and then pour into a parchment-lined 9×13″ baking dish.
- Bake. Place the pan in the oven at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes clean. Let cool in pan for about 20 minutes, then remove and cut into bars.
Baking Tips
Follow these great tips for making the best pumpkin blondies recipe! Learn the best way to line your pan, slice the blondies perfectly, and what type of knife is best. It is simple to make and using these helpful tips will make it even easier.
- Line your pan. I like to line my baking dish with parchment paper before pouring it into the batter. I usually leave enough parchment hanging over the edges of the pan so that I can easily lift the blondies out once baked. It makes both removal and cleanup a lot easier.
- Let cool before cutting. After removing them from the oven, let the bars cool for about 20 minutes before cutting them into squares. They get a bit crumbly if you slice them while warm.
- Cut with a plastic knife. Because the texture is so soft and cakey, I have found that a plastic knife works best since it’s more gentle. For super clean cuts, wipe it off with a paper towel in between each slice.
Recipe FAQs
Both types of brownies have a chewy and moist texture. Blondies are usually lighter and have a softer taste compared to brownies. Brownies are more a chocolate type of dessert whereas blondies are a vanilla base.
Of course! The beauty of this pumpkin blondie recipe is how flexible it is. You can totally tailor them to whatever your heart desires. I think they would be great with dried cherries, dried cranberries, cinnamon chips, walnuts, candied pecans, or hazelnuts.
Don’t worry! You can always make your own pumpkin pie spice with 4 simple ingredients.
No. Blondies are still baked in the oven similar to a brownie recipe. The perfect blondie is chewy, dense, and moist. It may have an ooey gooey or undercooked look to it but it is baked through. It is still firm on the outside with a soft and tender inside.
5 star review
“Truly scrumptious. Making for the second time this season. Will be making these for years to come I’m sure.”
-Bri
Storing + Freezing
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 days. To freeze, make sure they have cooled completely, and then wrap them in saran wrap and place them in a frozen container.
Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature for a few hours when ready to enjoy.
More Pumpkin Desserts You’ll Love
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Pumpkin Blondies
Video
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt , or 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree
- 2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 to 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter or spray a piece of parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray and place in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer until pale and creamy. Add the sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in the egg, pumpkin puree, and vanilla. Slowly add in the flour mixture and mix until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips with a rubber spatula. Spread evenly into baking dish.
- Bake 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cover with foil if browning too fast before center is done.
- Let cool 20 minutes in dish before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into bars and enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer extra spice, add in an extra 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- You can also swap the semi-sweet chocolate for white chocolate or omit completely.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
So easy, so delicious! Mine needed a little more time in the oven but turned out wonderful!
Can you freeze the dough or store the dough in the fridge to bake the next day?
You could cover and bake the next day :) Enjoy!!
Truly scrumptious. Making for the second time this season. Will be making these for years to come I’m sure.
I’m so glad to hear! Thanks for your review Bri :)
Made these this afternoon, and they are absolutely amazing! I substituted oat flour for all-purpose flour, coconut sugar for granulated sugar, then half-cup non dairy butter and half-cup coconut oil for the butter. I also added flaxseed meal and brewers yeast, as I like to turn new recipes into lactation treats.
Light and fluffy, with just the right amount of pumpkin flavoring. Definitely going to be hard to not eat these all at once!
Thanks so much for sharing your substitutions, Hannah! Glad to hear they turned out wonderfully :)
This were a hit at my Halloween party, so delicious!! I substituted the chocolate chips for butterscotch and it was fantastic!
Yay! So glad they were a hit. Butterscotch chips sound delicious!
I love the flavor of the brown butter and spices (I omitted cinnamon b/c my husband doesn’t like it) and it came out great. I also used half white & dark chocolate chips, along w/ 1/4c less brown sugar. I agree with the others that it came out more like a cake. Perhaps I should’ve baked for 30 min & let set outside the oven for a less crumbly effect. I’m going to try making it w/ 1/4c less flour. Thank you for the recipe.
Yes, it is definitely in between a bar and a cake. So delicious though! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Delicious. Made it exactly as mentioned; it does have more of a cake texture (noted) but doesn’t affect taste. Could eat whole pan! ;)
Thanks for pointing out the texture so others know what to expect, Kelly. Glad they were a hit!
Delicious cake
Good, but not a blondie. Should be called a snack cake, I think. Next time, I will cut back on the sugar and might try making them in cupcake tin instead. Had a hard time getting the center of my 9×13 to set.
It does have a closer texture to a cake than a traditional blondie because of the pumpkin. Glad you still enjoyed them :)
This is hands down my ***favorite*** fall pumpkin recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Love to hear that! Thanks for your comment and review :)
I loved these so much! Thank you!
Yay! This makes me so happy to hear, Jennifer :)
I made them with white chocolate chips. My family loved them!
White chocolate sounds perfect!
These are the best pumpkin bars ever! My girls and I have made these probably 6 times in the last couple months and I plan on making it all year round! Such a tasty treat! So soft- not too sweet – and the perfect blend of pumpkin and choc!! Yum!!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for your comment!
So easy! Always at the top of my list to make every fall…I always freeze half the bars and hide them so I can eat them all myself :)
I made these a few times and in stead of a full cup if butter I used A half cup of coconut oil and the rest butter and half a cup of sugar I used one cup of apple sauce and Then used the rest 3/4 cup of brown sugar and for the flour I used a half of cup of almond flour instead of all flour or you can do ground oatmeal flour to substitute and I also added walnuts. They were so yummy.
I’m so glad they turned out well for you! Thank you for sharing your substitutions. :)
This was amazing I will be making it over and over.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
These sound yummy! 😋 A couple of questions. Does the recipe really call for 2 tablespoons of vanilla? Any advice on using gluten free flour? I have never used it, but I am going to bake these for a friend. Thanks.
Hi Margee! Yes, it is 2 Tb vanilla. I’m not too familiar with substituting gluten free flour either. Please let us know how it goes if you give it a try!
Do you think using gluten free flour would still
allow these to turn out?
Hi Anna! I haven’t tried subbing gluten free flour in this recipe before, but I think that should be fine!
I agree with some other comments that this recipe was more cake like than like a chewy blondie. Any suggestions for a fix?? Thank you!