These Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies have a layer of tangy pumpkin cheesecake swirled into rich and fudgy chocolate brownies. This is the best fall dessert recipe!
Hi, new friends! My name is Rachel and I share baking and dessert recipes over on my site, Bakerita. I’m a recent college graduate living in Seattle. I’m always baking something new, and three of my favorite things are exploring new places, chocolate, and dogs. You can find out more about me here! Otherwise, let’s talk about the important things. Namely: Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies.
I was so excited when Carrian asked me to guest post today, and I’m even more excited that I get to talk to you about one of my all-time favorite desserts. Brownies are my favorite, but not just any brownies. Never cakey brownies. I’m firmly in the fudgy brownie camp, and I apologize, but if you’re a cakey brownie person, I don’t think these are for you.
Brownies have been a longtime love for me, and I’ve spent a lot of my baking years experimenting with different brownie recipes and figuring out what works best to create the best fudgy brownie. I now have a couple super reliable, beyond outstanding recipes I rely on, and my brownies are always being requested by my friends. These brownies in particular are based off one of those favorite recipes, and I hope it’s one that you’ll try and love as well!
The batter for these brownies comes together super easily. There’s no need to melt chocolate and butter together one the stove, because these are cocoa powder brownies. They only require a quick burst in the microwave and a stir with a wooden spoon. They’re barely more difficult than making a box mix, but the difference is one that’s definitely worth it. I promise – you’re sooo close to fudgy brownies.
These brownies in particular got a little dose of fall. They have a layer of pumpkin cheesecake swirled into the top, adding a layer of flavor from the fall spices and a little bit of tanginess from the cream cheese. Doesn’t that swirl look so pretty?
These pumpkin cheesecake brownies are the kind of dessert that seem so much more difficult than they are, and all your friends will be impressed with them. They’re fudgy, rich, spiced, and flavorful. I hope you love them!
Thanks for hanging out with me today! I’d love it if you headed over to Bakerita to say hi. I’d love to meet you.
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Will Cheesecake Stick to the Pan?
Cheesecake will most likely stick to the pan unless you grease the pan before pouring the batter in.
Rub the inside and bottom of the springform pan liberally with butter before you pour in the batter.
Why Are My Brownies Dry Instead of Chewy?
First, you have to make sure you are using the right recipe.
Recipes can be for cake-like brownies, fudgy brownies, or chewy brownies.
Moist, fudgy or chewy brownies require more liquid.
If you are waiting until there are no more crumbs on the toothpick to take your brownies out of the oven, you are over-cooking your brownies.
Instead of soft and fudgy, these are more likely to be dry and crumbly.
Do Brownies Have Frosting?
Brownies do not need to be frosted, however, you may use a variety of frostings if you want to.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies
Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients
For the brownies
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1¼ sticks
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar, 250g
- ¾ cups unsweetened cocoa powder, plus 2 tablespoons , 70g
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour, 65 grams
For the pumpkin cheesecake swirl
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 50g
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil leaving overhang on the sides, spray with cooking spray; set pan aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, sugar, cocoa, salt, and heat on high power to melt, about 45 seconds.
- Stop to stir, and heat in 10-second bursts until mixture has melted and can be stirred smooth (mine took 45 seconds + 15 seconds). Batter will be very granular.
- Add the vanilla, eggs, and stir vigorously until batter is thick, shiny, and well blended.
- Add the flour and stir until you cannot see it any longer.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- To prepare the cheesecake swirl, combine all of the ingredients for the pumpkin cheesecake swirl in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix until completely combined, about 1-2 minutes.
- Swirl that mixture into the brownie batter by dropping dollops of the cheesecake filling onto the brownie batter and swirling it in with a knife.
- Bake until a toothpick in the center emerges slightly moist with batter, about 22-25 minutes. Check with a toothpick - your batch may need a few minutes longer. Do not bake over 30 minutes or brownies will be prone to scorching, burning, turning dry, or setting up too hard.
- Brownies will firm up as they cool.
- Cool brownies completely before cutting into 16 equal squares with a very sharp knife.
- Brownies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products
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Catrina Davis
Can I use parchment instead of the aluminum foil?
Sweet Basil
Yes absolutely!
Jen
These are soooo fudgy, rich, and yummy! The only problem I had was that mine took forever to cook at 325′, and I eventually cranked the oven up to 350′. I don’t know if I did something wrong, but I wasn’t comfortable pulling them out when the toothpick was still super wet with batter, especially because I am pregnant. I will definitely be making these again and they were worth the wait in the oven 🙂
Rachael
Still in the oven, but just wanted to say that if you don’t cream the cream cheese before mixing in all the other ingredients for the topping, it will be lumpy.
Jolena @TheRubyKitchen
Pumpkin and chocolate is such an awesome combination. Pumpkin cheesecake swirled on delicious brownies sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Absolutely beautiful! I stockpiled cans of pumpkin puree recently, and these brownies are now on my fall baking list! 🙂
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
I got my hands on some pumpkin puree the other day (it’s hard to find here in the UK) and now I am SO glad I did – these look to die for!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
GORGEOUS photos. These look so fudge-y and perfect!
Vicky
Gorgeous! They look so rich and moist!