Starting a Monday with chocolate just seems right. It is the way things are supposed to be. I had made these brownies once before, but I had misplaced the recipe and I completely forgot about how good this brownie is. When I saw my friend Brian post this luscious brownie last week…memories of sweet pumpkin swirled with rich chocolate came flooding back. I had to make these again.
If you are not a pumpkin pie kind of a person, (a little confession, pumpkin pie isn’t my favorite dessert on a Thanksgiving table), you may have to give these brownies a chance. Rich and moist. With a tiny hint of cayenne. I would’ve added more, but my kids would’ve not been too happy.
I must take a moment to reflect on what I am thankful for:
Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
(Adapted from A Thought for Food, Adapted from Martha Stewart Living)
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (original calls for 1/4. My kids were eating this.I had to go subtle)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar (original recipe calls for 1 3/4. 1 1/2 was perfect for us)
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups solid-pack pumpkin
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan or dish. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; butter lining.
Melt chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, cayenne, and salt in a large bowl; set aside. Put sugar, eggs, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat until fluffy and well combined, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in flour mixture.
Divide batter between two medium bowls (about 2 cups per bowl). Stir chocolate mixture into one bowl that has the batter. In the other bowl with 1/2 the batter, stir in pumpkin, oil, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Transfer half of chocolate batter to prepared pan smoothing top with a rubber spatula. Top with half of pumpkin batter. Repeat to make one more chocolate layer and one more pumpkin layer. Work quickly so batters don’t set.
With a small spatula or a table knife, gently swirl the two batters to create a marbled effect.
Bake until set, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 16 squares.
My little guy making Finding Nemo fish with chalk in the backyard. Daddy is a good artist.
Nemo is his favorite!
These look great! I'll definitely have to try them.
I'm thankful for my family too. It's one of the reasons Thanksgiving is probably my favorite time of the year. I love having time centered around family AND food! Happy Thanksgiving!
Sweet post, Lora, literally AND figuratively! Happy Thanksgiving!
I agree, when you have kids they totally become your life and thankfully for me, my husband is right along in that with me. These brownies would be perfect for me since I love both elements. Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving.
I totally agree with your philosophy of starting the week off with chocolate. If I had my way, I'd start each DAY with chocolate! 😉 Your gratitude list is really touching and jolts me into thinking about the things that matter to me most. Without hesitation, I say my kids are MY life too (and boo to anyone who says otherwise), my family and closest friends are my truest assets, and thank God you and Brian made these scrumptious pumpkin swirl brownies! The week is already in better stead because of this recipe.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your gorgeous familia!
Such a perfect list of things to be thankful for!
I agree, very thankful for you as well as many others in our most beautiful food blog world 🙂
These brownies are so tempting and " a hint of cayenne" let me at them…
Have a beautiful Thanksgiving Holiday Lora, to you and you beautiful family 🙂
That's so pumpkin, seasonal and delicious!
Happy Thanksgiving!
That was such a beautiful post. And I totally think chocolate makes any pumpkin treat a million times better! Have a great Thanksgiving with your family! They should be giving thanks for having a great mom like you;)
Lora, you've hit the nail on the head with this one – every day is about looking around and seeing all that we have in our lives – and being grateful . . . for our children, for our families and for our friends. And you, my dear, are a great friend both on twitter (I love how you tweet in Italian!) and here on your blog – the photos are beautiful, the stories are heartfelt and the recipes can make me gain 10lbs just reading about them!!! I humbled to be included in your list; I am thankful for your sweet spirit and for your friendship – HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
A most apropo post of the season. Thanks for the mention and 'meeting' you makes Twitter that much more fun. I wish you the best on this holiday season and many more happy memorable moments.
aaaww Lora, I have tears in my eyes…I'm so glad to have met such a wonderful person like yourself. I love that we as in food bloggers are a community and should support each other! I'm also thankful for the awesome friends I met especially my sweet Bella! 🙂
Oh and I Love the brownies, ofcourse!
You son is sooo adorable! what an artist! 🙂
what a great coincidence, i had my heart set on Martha Stewart's pumpkin brownies for a while and kept delaying making them, now I will definitely make them this weekend.
yours turned out so great, hope mine will do too.
Happy Thanksgiving
Those brownies sounds so good! I made and ate a pan here last week so my quota is filled for another week. Saving this recipe once I burn off the 4 pounds gained, haha! I'm grateful for life. I feel blessed every morning my feet hit the floor as I'm rolling out of bed. I hope you have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season! The chalk drawings are incredible!
I definitely must make these, they look dreamy.
Oh my sweet woman…what a beautiful post this was! I loved hearing you talk about your family. It is so evident that you have created a loving and life-giving home. And I was so touched by what you wrote about me. I feel honored to have been mentioned. Please know how thankful I am for you! For your open heart, for your great recipes, and for your sweet and caring comments. You are a joy! Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a beautiful, blessed Thanksgiving.
I think pumpkin brownies are going to have to go on my to bake list!! They look so good! First Brian and now your lovlies!
Thank you so much for not only the kind words, but to be placed in such a wonderful group of bloggers. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends, and I am so glad to have found your blog and to have you be a part of our community!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful, peaceful Thanksgiving!
Dennis
These look gorgeous! And oh so festive. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Lora: Thank you so much for the sweet mention. I apologize I didn't acknowledge it initially – I didn't realize it was me you were referring to. I'm touched to be mentioned with such company and by you. xoxo ~Cristina
These pumpkin swirl brownies look delish!