Pumpkin Spice Nutella Cookie Bars with Brown Sugar
These soft, chewy cookie bars combine warm pumpkin spice flavors with rich Nutella in an irresistible layered treat. The bottom layer is a spiced pumpkin cookie base, topped with melted Nutella and finished with more cookie dough for a gooey center. Perfect for fall gatherings or when you want something more special than regular cookies but easier than a layered cake. The brown sugar adds deep molasses notes that complement both the pumpkin and chocolate beautifully.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ⅓ cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- ¾ cup Nutella
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven and line pan with foil, spray with cooking spray
- 2
Mix melted butter, pumpkin, and both sugars until smooth
- 3
Mix in egg yolk, baking soda, salt, spices, and vanilla
- 4
Mix in flour until batter is smooth
- 5
Press half the batter in bottom of pan and bake
- 6
Heat Nutella until pourable and pour over partially baked crust
- 7
Spread remaining batter over Nutella layer
- 8
Bake until top is no longer glossy and edges are golden brown
- 9
Cool completely before slicing
Tips
Spray your hands with cooking spray when pressing the sticky batter into the pan to prevent sticking.
Heat Nutella just until pourable - overheating can make it grainy and harder to spread evenly.
Don't worry about the top layer being perfectly smooth - the rustic look adds to the homemade appeal.
Good to Know
Store in airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or freeze for up to 1 month.
Can be made 1-2 days ahead. Store covered at room temperature.
Serve at room temperature, cut into squares.
Common Mistakes
Don't overbake or bars will be dry - stop when edges are golden and top is no longer glossy.
Let cool completely before cutting to avoid crumbling and messy slices.
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of Nutella?
Chocolate chips won't create the same gooey layer. Melt chips with a tablespoon of butter for better spreading consistency.
How long do these keep at room temperature?
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The texture stays soft and chewy for the first two days.
Can I freeze these cookie bars?
Yes, wrap individually or store in freezer bags for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.