Pumpkin Brownies

These pumpkin brownies are a mix of rich dark chocolate and pumpkin spice (aka the best of both worlds). Their swirled appearance makes for a fun and elegant fall treat that's perfect for Halloween, autumn parties, or Thanksgiving dinners.

Since brownies are a favorite dessert around here, we like to switch up the flavors depending on the season, like these peppermint bark brownies!

You won't find any boxed brownie mix in this recipe because we make them from scratch. Don't fret though, it's a surprisingly easy recipe with ingredients you're likely to find in your kitchen.

We start by making one batch of brownie batter, then divide it into two bowls. In one bowl, we add the pumpkin puree. In the other bowl, we mix in the melted dark chocolate chips. We layer the batters and then swirl them to give them a marbled effect, which is much easier than you might think.

This pumpkin brownie recipe is fudgy, moist, and full of flavor – just like it should be!

Pumpkin brownie ingredients

Here's everything you need to make this pumpkin brownies recipe from scratch:

• Dark chocolate chips – dark chocolate chips give the batter a rich brown color and deep chocolate taste. You can also use a dark chocolate bar or chopped baking chocolate.
• Butter – some for melting with the chocolate chips, and some for adding into the batter for that rich, moist, brownie texture we love.
• Flour – we use regular all-purpose flour, but you can use a gluten-free alternative if needed (just make sure it has xanthan gum already added).
• Baking powder – to help the brownies rise.
• Sea salt – a fine grain sea salt
• Eggs – it's not essential that your eggs are room temperature, but they mix easier into the batter and help the brownies rise better.
• Granulated sugar – we use granulated sugar, but you can also use light brown or brown sugar in a pinch.
• Tea – tea is the not-so-secret ingredient in these brownies. We use this pumpkin tea, but you can use any autumn spiced tea or regular black tea in its place.
• Vanilla – vanilla extract enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Canned pumpkin – make sure to use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling that has sugar and spices added. While we can't exactly call these brownies healthy, the pumpkin does add some fiber and nutrients.
• Pumpkin pie spice – we use our easy-to-make homemade pumpkin pie spice, but you can use a store-bought blend or a mix of a few warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice.

How to make pumpkin brownies

These brownies with swirls of pumpkin and dark chocolate are a beautiful and delicious autumn treat. They're actually really easy to make by following a few simple steps:

1. While your oven preheats, melt chocolate chips with some butter.
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and sea salt together.
3. Then, beat the eggs, sugar, melted butter, tea, and vanilla together. You may want to use a hand mixer for this.
4. Then it's the usual add the dry ingredients to the wet ones, and stir until just combined.
5. Divide the brownie batter into two bowls, mixing the pumpkin purée into one, and the melted dark chocolate into the other.
6. Now the fun part! Pour and swirl the two batters together in the baking dish, giving it a marbled effect. We like to use a knife for this.
7. Bake your brownies in the oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow them to cool before slicing them into squares. Yum!

Full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.

FAQS

When to serve pumpkin brownies

You can make these pumpkin brownies any time of year, but nothing says fall quite like pumpkin. They're loved by both kids and adults, and they're the perfect seasonal treat for Halloween, fall dinner parties, or as a Thanksgiving dessert.

More tasty pumpkin desserts

• Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
• Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
• Chocolate Vegan Pumpkin Pie