Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans (metal or glass) with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the longer sides.

Step 2

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl until combined.

Step 3

Whisk together the pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla extract and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water in a large bowl until smooth and well combined. Stir in the flour mixture until just combined, then fold in 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips until evenly dispersed. The batter will be thick.

Step 4

Transfer the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans, smoothing out each top into an even layer with a rubber spatula. Top each with the remaining 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (2 tablespoons per loaf pan). Bake until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of each comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Step 5

Let cool in the loaf pans on a wire rack, about 15 minutes. Use the parchment overhang to help lift the pumpkin bread out of the pans, then let cool completely on the wire rack, about 1 hour.