Indulge in Autumn: The Ultimate Pumpkin Spice Blondie Cookie Bars Recipe
As the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice baking in the kitchen. Among the many seasonal treats, the **Pumpkin Spice Blondie Cookie Bars** stand out as an absolute fall favorite. This particular recipe comes straight from the back of a bag of Nestle Toll House Pumpkin Spice Flavored Morsels, a testament to its reliability and widespread appeal. These bars offer the perfect blend of chewy texture, sweet indulgence, and that quintessential pumpkin spice warmth that everyone craves during autumn. They’re incredibly simple to make, yet deliver a sophisticated flavor profile that will impress friends and family alike. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting your culinary journey, these blondies are a delightful and straightforward project that promises delicious results. Get ready to fill your home with the inviting scents of fall and treat yourself to these irresistible bar cookies.
The Magic of Nestle Toll House Pumpkin Spice Morsels
The heart of these delightful blondie cookie bars lies in the distinctive flavor of **Nestle Toll House Pumpkin Spice Morsels**. These seasonal baking chips are a true game-changer, infusing every bite with a rich, aromatic blend of pumpkin and traditional fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. When they melt into the warm blondie base, they create pockets of creamy, spiced sweetness that elevate the entire dessert experience. The limited availability of these morsels makes them even more special, transforming a simple bar cookie into a highly anticipated seasonal treat.
For those of you who might not have access to these exact pumpkin-flavored baking morsels, don’t worry! The beauty of this blondie recipe is its incredible versatility. While the pumpkin spice chips certainly add a unique autumnal twist, you can easily make these bars with any type of baking chips you prefer or have on hand. White chocolate chips would create a classic blondie flavor with a creamy sweetness. Butterscotch chips would add a rich, caramel-like note, while a mix of semi-sweet chocolate and cinnamon chips could mimic a similar spice profile. Even standard chocolate chips would result in a wonderfully chewy and satisfying cookie bar, proving that the base recipe itself is stellar, regardless of the mix-ins.
However, for those who relish the opportunity to experiment with interesting seasonal flavors, seeking out the pumpkin spice flavored morsels is highly recommended. They can usually be found during the fall season at major retailers like Target, often appearing on shelves from late August through November. Keep an eye on the baking aisle, as these popular chips tend to sell out quickly. Their unique taste profile truly captures the essence of autumn, making these blondies a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table, a cozy evening treat, or a delightful snack for school lunches. The excitement of finding these seasonal ingredients only adds to the joy of baking these special bars.
The Secret to a Superior Blondie Base
Beyond the delightful pumpkin spice morsels, what truly makes this recipe exceptional is its incredible bar cookie base. Many blondie recipes can suffer from being either too dry or overly sweet, but this one strikes a perfect balance. The base is wonderfully moist and chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness that allows the flavor of the brown sugar and butter to shine through, complementing the pumpkin spice rather than overpowering it. This makes for a truly satisfying bite, ensuring that each bar is rich and flavorful without being cloying. The texture is akin to a perfectly baked cookie – soft in the middle with slightly crisp edges, a quality often sought after in bar desserts.
Another crucial element that contributes to the success of this recipe is the pan size it specifies: a 15×10 inch jelly roll pan. This larger pan size is key to achieving a specific outcome. Firstly, it provides a slightly more generous yield, making these bars perfect for sharing at gatherings or stocking up for a week of delicious treats. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, baking in a larger, shallower pan results in thinner, more cookie-like bars. This ensures a higher surface-to-interior ratio, which contributes to those coveted chewy edges and a consistent bake throughout, avoiding any undercooked centers often found in thicker blondies. If you prefer thicker bars, you can certainly use a smaller pan (such as a 9×13 inch baking dish), but be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly, as they will require longer in the oven to cook through evenly.
The thinness achieved with the jelly roll pan also means these blondies are easier to handle and cut into neat squares or rectangles, making them ideal for portion control or for a dessert platter. The golden-brown surface, slightly caramelized from the brown sugar, adds another layer of appeal, both visually and texturally. This combination of a well-balanced base and thoughtful pan choice results in a blondie that is consistently delicious, offering a satisfying chewiness that is hard to resist.
Insights from Pumpkin Spice Blondie Reviews and Baking Tips
The Pumpkin Spice Blondie reviews on Very Best Baking offer a mixed bag of opinions, which is common for popular recipes. A few individuals noted what appeared to be an excess of baking powder, leading to concerns about a potentially metallic taste or an overly cakey texture. This feedback highlights a common baking challenge: the precise measurement and quality of leavening agents can significantly impact the final product. Baking powder, while essential for lift, can indeed impart a slightly off-flavor if too much is used or if the brand is particularly reactive. Different brands can also vary in their formulation and potency, leading to inconsistent results.
In my experience, I used the full 2 ½ teaspoons of Rumford brand baking powder, and found the results to be excellent. Rumford is often praised for its double-acting formula and its clean taste, which I agree tastes less salty and metallic compared to some other brands. It’s important to note that baking powder should always be measured level, not heaping, to ensure accuracy. If you are concerned about a strong baking powder taste, you could experiment by reducing the amount by a quarter or half teaspoon, but be aware that this might affect the rise and texture of the blondies. Alternatively, if you’re using a different brand, you might find that Rumford (or a similar high-quality, aluminum-free baking powder) yields a superior flavor.
Despite the varied reviews, I can confidently say I’ll be making these bars again. The overall balance of flavors and the delightful texture were truly outstanding. However, I am already envisioning delicious variations. While the pumpkin spice morsels are fantastic for fall, I’m keen to try a batch with classic white chocolate chips and crunchy macadamia nuts for a different twist, perhaps reminiscent of a tropical-inspired blondie. Other tempting variations include adding chopped pecans or walnuts for extra texture, dried cranberries for a touch of tartness, or even a hint of ground ginger or cardamom to enhance the spice profile without relying solely on the seasonal morsels. This recipe serves as an excellent foundation for creativity in the kitchen, allowing you to tailor it to your personal preferences or what you have available.
Pro Tips for Perfect Blondie Bars:
- Don’t Overmix: After adding the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, dry blondies.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them cream together smoothly with the sugar, creating a light, airy base for your blondies.
- Accurate Measurements: Baking is a science! Use proper measuring cups and spoons, and for flour, spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge rather than scooping directly from the bag.
- Parchment Paper Power: For easy removal and cleanup, line your jelly roll pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. Once cooled, you can simply lift the entire slab of blondies out of the pan.
- Cool Completely: Resist the urge to cut into the bars while they’re still warm. Blondies firm up as they cool, making them much easier to cut into clean, neat squares. Cooling also allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Storage: Store your Pumpkin Spice Blondie Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days to maintain their freshness and chewiness. They also freeze well for longer storage.
Explore More Delicious Cookie Madness!
If you’re a fan of these delightful Pumpkin Spice Blondie Cookie Bars, you’ll surely love exploring other fantastic recipes from our collection. From rich chocolatey treats to nutty delights, there’s always something new to discover to satisfy your sweet tooth. Expand your baking repertoire with these tried-and-true favorites, perfect for any occasion or just a cozy night in.
- Triple Chocolate Espresso Biscotti
- Double Chocolate Chip Brownies
- Jumbo 3 Chip Cookies
- Malted Milk Chocolate Chunk Cookies
- Peanut Butterscotch Cookies
Recipe: Nestle Toll House Pumpkin Spice Blondie Cookie Bars
Nestle Toll House Pumpkin Spice Blondie Cookie Bars
Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¾ cups packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup 1 ½ sticks butter or margarine, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ⅔ cups 10-oz. pkg. NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Pumpkin Spice Morsels, divided
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 15″ x 10″ jelly roll pan to prevent sticking. For even easier removal, you can line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the longer sides.
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In a medium-sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure they are well distributed. This helps the blondies rise evenly.
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In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the packed brown sugar and softened butter or margarine until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving a tender texture. Beat in the large eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next, then stir in the vanilla extract until just combined.
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Gradually add the prepared flour mixture to the wet ingredients, about 1 cup at a time. Beat on the lowest speed of your electric mixer, or stir by hand with a spatula, just until the flour streaks disappear. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough blondies. Gently stir in 1 ⅓ cups of the NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Pumpkin Spice Morsels. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared jelly roll pan. Sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup of morsels over the top of the batter for extra flavor and visual appeal.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft and chewy. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting. This allows the blondies to set properly. Cut into desired bar sizes (typically 24 squares). Store these delicious Pumpkin Spice Blondie Cookie Bars tightly covered at room temperature to maintain their freshness and moisture.
These Pumpkin Spice Blondie Cookie Bars are more than just a dessert; they are an invitation to embrace the coziness and flavors of the autumn season. With their perfect balance of sweetness, chewiness, and aromatic spice, they are sure to become a cherished part of your fall baking traditions. Whether you stick to the classic Nestle Toll House Pumpkin Spice Morsels or venture into exciting variations, the foundational recipe guarantees a delightful experience. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to create a batch of these truly irresistible blondies that will bring warmth and joy to your home. Happy baking!