Pumpkin-Swirl Brownies

In keeping with the popularity of all things pumpkin on We are not Martha, I decided right away to make these Pumpkin-Swirl Brownies when I found them on Martha's website. Not only did they look fantastic but I loved the idea of creating the swirls between the layers!


Here's what you'll need:

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I used semisweet since my grocery store didn't have bittersweet... I just cut back on the sugar measurement a little)
  
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adds a nice kick!)
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups solid-pack pumpkin (which I assumed was canned pumpkin)
  
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts or other nuts (I chose not to use any since, sadly, I'm allergic!)

Next, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a 9 inch baking dish with parchment paper; butter the lining.


Melt remaining butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water until the mixture is nice and smooth.


Whisk together the flour, cayenne, salt, and baking powder.

I got to use my new Kitchen Aid mixer for the first time... 150% pure excitement!
Now beat together sugar, eggs, and vanilla until fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. (in a mixer with the paddle attachment... or you could do it by hand or with a hand mixer). Then beat in the flour mixture.

Action shots!


Now you're going to divide the batter in 1/2 into two medium bowls. Stir the melted chocolate mixture into one bowl:

And in the other bowl stir in pumpkin, oil, cinnamon, and nutmeg:



Pour half of the chocolate mixture into the lined baking dish and spread using the back of a spoon or rubber spatula. Then pour half of the pumpkin mixture. Repeat layering.

Take a butter knife and gently design swirls through the batter!

I baked them for 43 minutes and let them cool overnight for a tasty surprise in the morning.



These smell delicious... It's pretty lovely waking up in an apartment smelling like freshly baked pumpkin! And I'm not even going to lie... I had one for breakfast :)


I even packaged some up for my coworkers and my roommate's coworkers. Anything to help celebrate Friday!


Enjoy your weekend!

[Chels]