Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Snack Cake

"Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere. He's gotta pick this one. He's got to. I don't see how a pumpkin patch can be more sincere than this one. You can look around and there's not a sign of hypocrisy. Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see."

I'm so inspired by Charlie Brown that I planted a pumpkin patch of my own this summer. 🎃 I faithfully watered, weeded and cared for my growing pumpkin plants for weeks while I eagerly anticipated the giant gourds that would grow.  And then ... we had our roof replaced. 😬

Unfortunately, my precious pumpkin patch fell victim to the collateral damage from our new roof installation.  It was pretty much demolished by the pile of shingles that landed in its path during the removal of our old roof. 😞 My hopes of having the most sincere pumpkin patch in the neighborhood were lost.  But if I'm being honest, a roof without leaks was far more important than having my own pumpkin patch.

Lucky for me, I can't go into a grocery store, a gas station or a hardware store in my town this month without passing by an overflowing bin of giant orange pumpkins just outside their doors.  Pumpkins are definitely not hard to come by here.  I'm also lucky enough to live near a couple of pick your own pumpkin patches so I really shouldn't be too disappointed by the fact that my pumpkin patch had failed.  I still have access to great pumpkins.

We set another record high temperature today so there won't be any pumpkin spice lattes for me for a while.  I'm still enjoying the flavors of this beautiful season though.  A simple unfrosted pumpkin spiced cake with a handful of chocolate chips is the perfect thing for this girl who craves the taste of pumpkin but can't handle a hot latte right now.  

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Snack Cake
1 cup flour
1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
2 eggs
​1/2 cup chocolate chips

Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 

Whisk pumpkin, sugar, oil and eggs together.  

Add pumpkin mixture to dry ingredients.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Spoon batter into a greased 8" square pan.

Bake 35 minutes at 350.  

Allow to cool.   Cut into squares and serve. 

Hey Dad - this recipe is lactose free!  No dairy, no butter.  Just thought you would like to know.  Love you.  

Ciao!

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