Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars

Ingredients

•   Nonstick cooking spray
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1  cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4  cup granulated sugar
• 1/2  cup pecans or walnuts, finely chopped (optional)
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2  teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2  teaspoon salt
• 1  cup refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed, or 4 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1  15-ounce can pumpkin
• 1/2  cup canola oil
• 1/4  cup fat-free milk
• 1/3  cup miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
• 2  tablespoons miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
• 1 1/2  to 2 teaspoons powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 15101-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. In a large bowl, stir together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, granulated sugar, pecans (if using), baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.

In a medium bowl, combine egg, pumpkin, canola oil, and milk. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture along with 1/3 cup chocolate pieces; stir just until combined. Spread the batter very evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle top with 2 tablespoons chocolate pieces. Bake about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. If desired, sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar. Cut into bars.