Email me the recipe, David
TL;DR (Quick-Answer Box)
- What it is: Fudgy chocolate brownies marbled with a spiced pumpkin and cream cheese swirl, creating a stunning dessert that looks as amazing as it tastes.
- Why you’ll love it: An outrageously rich dessert combining the best of both worlds: chewy brownies and spiced pumpkin cheesecake. Perfect for any autumn meal or holiday.
- How to make it: Make two batters: a fudgy chocolate brownie and a spiced pumpkin and cream cheese swirl. Spread the chocolate brownie batter in the dish, then spoon the pumpkin mixture on top and swirl before baking.
Jump To
These pumpkin swirl brownies are outrageously rich thanks to pumpkin spice cheesecake swirled through chewy chocolate fudge brownies. They taste just as autumnal as they look, although honestly, we wouldn’t think twice about making them any day of the year.–Eliza Cross
Your Pumpkin Swirl Brownies Questions, Answered
No, we would advise against it. You’re going to find that frozen pumpkin is just too wet and you won’t get that lovely definition in your swirls. If you’re determined to use frozen pumpkin, then you’ll have to drain it really, really well. Like, in a sieve lined with cheesecloth overnight.
Baked goods can be tricky, especially in the corners. Sometimes just greasing the pan is enough but if you want to ensure that you’ll be able to get it all out in one piece, you can go a step further. Grease the pan, line it with parchment paper, and grease that, too. Leave an overhang of parchment over the side to act as handles and you’ll be able to lift your swirled sweets right out.
Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
Ingredients
For the pumpkin cheesecake swirl
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon (1/2 oz) butter, softened, plus more for the baking dish
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup plain canned pumpkin or cooked mashed pumpkin purée
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
For the chocolate brownie batter
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 6 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped
- 12 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk, preferably whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the pumpkin cheesecake swirl
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Butter a 9-by-13-inch (23-by-33 cm) baking dish.
- In a stand mixer or in a medium bowl with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter for 30 seconds. Add the sugar and beat to combine. Beat in the egg, pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger. Stir in the flour.
Make the chocolate brownie batter
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large saucepan over low heat, combine the chocolate and butter and warm until melted and smooth, stirring occasionally. Gradually add the sugar, beating just until combined. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time. Add the milk and vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture and stir just until combined.
- Spread the chocolate brownie batter evenly in the baking dish. Spoon the cream cheese mixture in mounds on top of the chocolate brownie batter and use a table knife to swirl it into the chocolate batter. Bake until the center is just set, 55 to 65 minutes.
- Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool in the baking dish. Cut into squares.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe Testers’ Reviews
Did you know only 68% of the recipes we test make it onto the site? This recipe survived our rigorous blind testing process by multiple home cooks. It earned the Leite’s Culinaria stamp of approval—and the testers’ reviews below prove it.
These pumpkin swirl brownies were richer than expected and oh-so-good!
These do take a little longer to make than regular brownies, but in my opinion, it’s worth it. I love the swirling of the pumpkin in the brownies, though take care to not do it too much and mix the cheesecake completely into the brownie batter. (If you’re really worried about it, I would reserve a spoonful or two of brownie batter and put it on top to make the swirling a little easier.)
I was also hesitant about adding the ginger, but it turned out to be just fine and definitely not overpowering. I baked mine for an hour and five minutes and the ones on the outside were good but the middle ones were still a little bit underbaked, which makes them a little denser and richer.
This pumpkin swirl brownies recipe produced an excellent brownie that was also pretty. The pumpkin spice taste complemented the chocolate instead of overwhelming it. An easy recipe that makes an attractive dish to take to work or a party.
For me, the recipe made 24 brownies, but I tend to cut my brownies in a more generous 1 1/2 inches by 3 inches. None of my volunteer testers complained.
Pumpkin with fudgy chocolate is a fantastic combination. Although my pumpkin swirl brownies didn’t have the swirled effect, the flavor more than made up for the lack of a fancy finish. (I used puréed pumpkin that was previously frozen and I think this is what made my pumpkin cheesecake layer watery. It wouldn’t swirl because of how liquidy it was, but the brownies came out fine!) Although mine lacked the pretty swirl, the taste, and texture were great.
I loved eating these straight from the fridge with a cold glass of milk. Make sure not to overbake them or the edges will dry out. I would start checking them after 45 to 50 minutes. I would say more like 24 servings, but I like big brownies!
Initially, we thought these pumpkin swirl brownies might be just okay, but they’re actually surprisingly good. The pumpkin cheesecake swirl balances the chocolate brownie quite well.
In some places where the globs were larger, the cheesecake mixture didn’t swirl well into the brownie mixture, but this is a small issue. I’d make a lot more little blobs. My yield was 30 brownies but you could easily cut the pieces smaller or larger.
Can these be made a day in advance? If so, should I store in the fridge?
Thank you in advance 🎃
Valentina, absolutely—you can make these the day before. With that pumpkin–cream cheese swirl, I’d refrigerate them rather than leave them on the counter overnight. Let them cool a bit, then get them into the fridge within two hours of baking. Cover once chilled.
Take them out shortly before serving if you prefer them less cold. Happy Halloween! Chow.
Thank you for the very helpful and speedy reply David! I will make them one day ahead and store in the fridge. I’m sure they will warm up by the time I get to the spooky soiree!
Mwa-ha-hah-ha!