Pumpkin Cookie Bars

These pumpkin cookie bars are the perfect dessert for your next get together or even when you have a sweet craving! They are easy to make, even if you don’t have a lot of baking experience. This recipe is gluten free, dairy free, and nut free. All you need is pre-made gluten free cookie dough or cookie dough mix, dairy free chocolate chips and dairy free chocolate caramel cups.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• You only need 3 ingredients!!
• It’s easy to prepare! Simply press the cookie dough into a baking pan, sprinkle with chocolate chips and chocolate caramel cups, and bake.
• It’s gluten free! These bars are made with pre-made gluten free cookie dough, so they’re perfect for anyone with gluten allergies or sensitivities.
• You can choose a chocolate base, a sugar cookie base or even a chocolate chip cookie base!
• All you need are a few simple ingredients: Pre-made gluten free cookie dough or cookie dough mix, dairy free chocolate chips and dairy free chocolate caramel cups.
• This recipe is also great because it’s so versatile. You can add other mix-ins to the cookie dough, such as nuts, dried fruit, or left over halloween candy to these pumpkin cookie bars.
• Feel free to make them your own! You can also customize the amount of chocolate chips and chocolate caramel cups to your liking.
• And of course, this gluten free cookie barrecipe is gluten free! So if you have any dietary restrictions, you can still enjoy these delicious cookie bars.

INGREDIENTS & SUBSTITUTIONS

Pre-made gluten free cookie dough or cookie dough mix: This is the base of the pumpkin cookie bars. It provides the structure and flavor of the bars. There are many different brands of pre-made gluten free cookie dough available, so you can choose one that you like the taste of. You can choose a chocolate base, a sugar cookie base or even a chocolate chip cookie base! For these I chose a pumpkin spice cookie dough from sweet lorens.

For the pre-made gluten free cookie dough, you can use your own gluten free cookie dough recipe.

Dairy free chocolate chips: These add sweetness and richness to the pumpkin cookie bars. There are many different brands of dairy free chocolate chips available, so you can choose one that you like the taste of. Some popular brands include Enjoy Life, Lily’s, and Pascha.For the dairy free chocolate chips, you can use regular chocolate chips if you are not dairy free or another type of vegan chocolate.

Dairy free chocolate caramel cups: These add a chewy texture and caramel flavor to the pumpkin cookie bars. There are a few different brands of dairy free chocolate caramel cups available, but the most popular brand is Trader Joe’s.

TASTE & TEXTURE

When you first bite into a pumpkin cookie bar, you will be greeted by a burst of pumpkin flavor. The bars are also slightly sweet, but not too sugary. The texture of the bars is chewy and soft, with a bit of a bite from the chocolate chips.

Pumpkin cookie bars with chocolate chips are a delicious and versatile fall treat. They can be served plain or with a variety of toppings, such as whipped cream, ice cream, or caramel sauce.

There are many different brands of pre-made gluten free cookie dough available, so you can choose one that you like the taste of. You can choose a chocolate base, a sugar cookie base or even a chocolate chip cookie base! For these I chose a pumpkin spice cookie dough from sweet lorens.

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan.

STEP 2

If using pre-made cookie dough, thaw according to package directions. If using a cookie dough mix, make dough according to package instructions. Press the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan.

STEP 3

Bake for 20 minutes.Sprinkle with chocolate chips and chocolate caramel cups.Bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

STEP 4

Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

EXPERT TIPS & TRICKS

• For chewier pumpkin cookie bars, slightly underbake.
• You can also add other mix-ins to the cookie dough, such as nuts, dried fruit, or candy.
• If you are using cookie dough mix, be sure to follow the package directions for the correct ingredients to use.
• Make sure that the pre-made cookie dough is gluten free if you are gluten free.
• If you are not gluten free you can choose any cookie dough.
• Bake the cookie bars until they are just set.
• Overbaking will make them dry.
• Let the cookie bars cool completely before cutting them into bars.
• Do not stack the pumpkin cookie bars on top of each other, as this will make them moist and sticky.
• If you are storing the pumpkin cookie bars in the refrigerator, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• When you are ready to serve the cookie bars, remove them from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cutting them.

HOW TO SERVE & STORE

Serving: pumpkin cookie bars can be served at room temperature or chilled. They can be eaten plain or with ice cream, whipped cream, or your favorite toppings. You can also cut the cookie bars into smaller pieces and serve them as dessert bites.

Storing: Cookie bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To freeze cookie bars, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

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