These Pumpkin Brownies are a must-try recipe for the fall season. These chocolatey treats are infused with warm fall spices and adorned with a mesmerizing pumpkin swirl, making them the perfect way to celebrate the essence of pumpkin.
We are huge brownie fans! These salted caramel brownies are probably my all-time favorites. Then there are these best-ever chocolate raspberry brownies (super decadent!). And for the vegans: vegan matcha brownies are crazy good!! But back to these pumpkin delights!
As soon as the temperatures drop a little, it is pumpkin baking season every day! My kids just love every thing pumpkin (and so do I!), so we always look forward to making these brownies. It is a little more fussy than my other brownie recipes, but the kids help making the steps.
Are you on instagram? Hop over and check out the REEL we made of these brownies!
Have you been soaking up all the cozy fall weather and flavors lately? If you have been craving pumpkin desserts, you are not alone. I have been dreaming about these pumpkin swirl brownies, and now that the temperatures have finally cooled, it feels like the perfect time to bake them again. They are one of my favorite easy fall desserts; rich, fudgy, and full of that warm pumpkin spice flavor everyone loves this season.
I was counting down the days until the first official day of fall just so I could bake something pumpkin and not feel silly about it. Honestly, who can resist baking with pumpkin puree once the air gets crisp? These brownies bring together the best of both worlds - chocolate and pumpkin - for a cozy treat that tastes like autumn in every bite.
And if you are like me, you probably have a few extra cans of pumpkin puree in your pantry by the end of fall. This is the perfect pumpkin recipe for fall to use them up. Once you try these pumpkin swirl brownies, you will want to make them all season long.
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Why you will love these brownies with pumpkin
You will love these pumpkin swirl brownies because they bring together the best of both worlds, rich chocolate and cozy pumpkin spice. The flavor combination is comforting, a little unexpected, and completely irresistible. This easy pumpkin brownie recipe is simple enough for beginners yet delicious enough to impress any guest.
I love that they are made with simple, wholesome ingredients, so you get a treat that feels a little lighter but still indulgent. Whether you bake them for a fall gathering, a holiday dessert table, or just a cozy night at home, these brownies with pumpkin always turn out rich, soft, and full of that perfect fall flavor.
If you aren't much of a pie baker and want to make something pumpkin for Thanksgiving, this is a fun alternative!
I wasn't sure how the swirl was going to turn out this time, as I felt I didn't save enough of the chocolate part when I was dividing up the batter. But it turned out just fine! Best tip is to divide the batter evenly using a measuring cup...if you just eyeball it, they will end up in uneven proportions.
Ingredients for this pumpkin brownie recipe
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture, giving these pumpkin swirl brownies their soft, fudgy texture. Use real butter for the best flavor. If you only have salted butter, just reduce the added salt slightly.
- Bittersweet chocolate: This is what gives the brownies that deep, rich chocolate flavor. Choose a good quality bar with around 60-70 percent cacao. If you prefer sweeter brownies, you can substitute semisweet chocolate.
- All purpose flour: Just enough to hold everything together while keeping the brownies soft and chewy. For gluten free baking, you can swap it with your favorite 1 to 1 gluten free flour blend.
- Baking powder: Helps the brownies rise slightly and keeps them from being too dense.
- Cayenne pepper: A pinch of spice brings out the chocolate flavor beautifully. Totally optional, but it adds a fun twist that makes this pumpkin brownie recipe stand out.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances every flavor.
- Sugar: Sweetens the batter and helps create that crackly brownie top. You can use regular granulated sugar or a mix of brown sugar for extra depth.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and give structure to both the chocolate and pumpkin layers. Room temperature eggs mix more evenly.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the chocolate and spice flavors with a warm, cozy aroma.
- Solid pack pumpkin: The key to that moist texture and beautiful orange swirl. Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which has added sugar and spices.
- Coconut oil: Adds extra moisture and a subtle nutty flavor. You can replace it with a neutral oil like vegetable or avocado oil if you prefer.
- Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger: These warm fall spices bring out the pumpkin flavor and fill your kitchen with the best autumn aroma. You can also use pumpkin pie spice if you have it on hand.
How do you make easy pumpkin brownies?
The first thing to do is to gather all your ingredients.
Second, begin to make your main batter. The first step is to melt chocolate and butter (or margarine)together.
Third, whisk the dry ingredients together.
Fourth, beat the sugar, eggs and vanilla together (you could do this all by hand or in the bowl of your mixer).
And here is the main batter that gets divided into chocolate and pumpkin. This batter gets divided into two bowls (2 cups each).
Fifth, add the melted chocolate to one bowl of batter.
In the other bowl of batter, stir in the pumpkin, oil and spices.
And here is the pumpkin batter.
Here are the two batters that you will swirl together.
Final step is to layer the two batters in the prepped pan and swirl them together.
Expert Tips
- Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before starting.
- Don't overmix the batter as it can make the brownies tough.
- Use a toothpick to check the doneness of the brownies. It should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.
What to Serve it With
- Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of a warm brownie is always a winner.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream on top can add a light, creamy element.
- Hot Chocolate: Serve these brownies with a cup of hot chocolate for a cozy treat.
FAQ'S
Yes, you can use pumpkin as a substitute for eggs in brownies. Pumpkin can provide the necessary moisture for the brownies and impart a mild flavor that complements the chocolate.
Yes, you can use pre-made pumpkin pie spice. The rule of thumb is to use 3 tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice to replace the total amount of individual spices.
Absolutely! Just ensure the brownies cool completely before wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
While all-purpose flour is recommended for these brownies, you can also use an equal amount of gluten-free flour for a gluten-free option.
Bittersweet chocolate is recommended for this recipe, but you could also use semi-sweet or dark chocolate. Each will just slightly alter the sweetness of the brownies.
If you don't have a paddle attachment, you can use regular beaters or a whisk attachment. The goal is just to ensure the ingredients are well combined.
These pumpkin swirl brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you want to store them longer, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving
These are a wonderful idea to make during the holidays. They are so easy to put together and they are a hit with everyone!
Need more pumpkin ideas? Check out these delicious recipes:
- Vegan Pumpkin Pasta with Sage
- Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie
- Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes
- Pumpkin Pudding Cake
- Chewy Chocolate Brownies
Originally published October 2015 and updated for text and photos in 2023.
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Easy Pumpkin Brownie Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons 1 stick unsalted butter, plus more for pan, use margarine if dairy-free
- 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional (omit if baking for kids; add a little more if you like a spicy kick)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups sugar original recipe calls for 1 ¾. 1 ½ was perfect for us
- 4 large eggs
- 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups solid-pack pumpkin
- ¼ cup coconut oil or a mild flavored oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan or dish. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; butter lining (or spray with baking spray).
- 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 ½ 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.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Notes
*I wasn't sure how the swirl was going to turn out this time, as I felt I didn't save enough of the chocolate part when I was dividing up the batter. But it turned out just fine!
If you want to be sure you are dividing it evenly, measure with your measuring cup when dividing into two bowls.
These brownies have a touch of cayenne. My kids don't even notice it. You could omit the spice if you'd like. If it is for adults, you could add a touch more to intensify the flavor a little.
Julianne says
These sound delicious. Definitely need to they these. Great post! xo