PUMPKIN PIE CHOCOLATE CHIP BARS IN A JAR

As I've mentioned before, there are some wonderful recipes to be found on the back of sugar boxes, inside the butter box and on food company and food association internet sites. I found a good recipe at Ball (Jars) Home Crafting a few years ago for Pumpkin Pie Bars in a Jar. I, of course, add Chocolate Chips to the mix. This is great to take as a Thanksgiving gift.

I love Mixes in a Jar, and I've posted Chocolate Cookies in a Jar, Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar, Chocolate Brownies in a Jar, Kentucky Chocolate Nut Pie in a Jar, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar, and several others.

These Pumpkin Pie Bars in a Jar with Chocolate Chips are very tasty, although FYI: the recipient really has to add a lot of other ingredients. Be sure and add the instruction card to the jar. I usually cover the top of the jar with burlap or fabric and attach the card with raffia tied in a bow around the neck!

PUMPKIN PIE CHOCOLATE CHIP BARS IN A JAR

1 Ball Wide Mouth Quart Jar
1 Ball Wide Mouth Lid and Band
Jar Funnel
Jar Tamper
Recipe Card

Mix for Jar
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup old-fashioned oats, uncooked
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
1/2 cup DARK chocolate chips

Getting Started:
Read all instructions for Pumpkin Pie Bars before starting. Assemble all supplies and ingredients.

Preparing Layered Mix: 
Layer first four ingredients into Jar, firmly packing with Jar tamper in between each layer. Layer walnuts (pecans) and chocolate chips into Jar, screw lid and band onto Jar.
Makes base for one recipe of Pumpkin Pie Bars.

On the Recipe Card (attach to Jar) write: 

To Prepare, Add:
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) cold sweet butter
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 eggs
1 (15-ounce) can of pumpkin
1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice

Preparing Bars:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 13 x 9-inch baking pan with foil; grease foil lining.
Remove walnuts, chocolate chips, pecans and oats from Jar and place in small bowl.
Remove granulated sugar into small bowl.
Put brown sugar and flour in medium bowl.
Measure 1/4 cup granulated sugar and add to flour mixture. Stir to evenly blend.
Cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Fold in oats, walnuts (pecans) and chocolate chips.
Reserve 1 cup of crumb mixture; press remaining mixture onto bottom of pan. Bake 15 minutes.

Beat cream cheese, remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, eggs, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Pour over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
Bake 25 minutes.
Lift from pan by grabbing edges of foil. Cool completely. Yield: about 24 bars.