When October rolls around, pumpkin seems to be everyone’s favorite ingredient.
Pumpkin everything starts showing up everywhere.
It usually starts with the pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. As soon as it is back in stores, pumpkin addicts absolutely lose their bird. Everyone is Facebooking and Tweeting about their #PSL from @Starbucks. Uh, not that I’m addicted to social media or anything. It’s just… what I hear.
Then pumpkin pie filling (not to be confused with pumpkin puree!) hits the shelves of the local grocery store. Pumpkin addicts run out and buy every.possible.can resulting in a pumpkin shortage. Um, I’ve also… heard… that people Facebook and Tweet about the pumpkin shortage.
Menus start boasting about their “new fall menus.” Again, I’ve heard that local restaurants’ marketing teams have been updating their Facebook pages and statuses begging you to come on in and try their new pumpkin this and pumpkin that.
And then, finally…
Pumpkin diarrhea.
All over the blog world, pumpkin simply explodes.
In fact, if you’re reading this, then you’ve probably witnessed it. Every recipe that pops up in my reader is using pumpkin in some way, shape, or form. And while I don’t mind pumpkin, I don’t love it.
You want to talk l-u-v?
Candy corn. Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses. Cadbury Mini Eggs.
Those are my favorite seasonal items. Forget the fact that those are all candies, not necessarily ingredients, but I think you’re picking up what I’m putting down.
And no sooner than I’m ready to tweet scream, “ENOUGH WITH THE PUMPKIN HUMPING!!!!!!,” I fall victim to said humping, and I bake with pumpkin.
Fudgy Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
Adapted from Betty Crocker
Yields 16 brownies
Ingredients
Brownies (Your favorite recipe, or mine, below. Boxed works, too!)
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Filling
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3 oz. cream cheese, softened
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1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
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1 egg
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3 tablespoons sugar
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Brownies
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Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom of 9-inch square pan
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In small bowl, beat all filling ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
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Set a medium sized saucepan over medium heat and warm the butter until melted. Add the granulated sugar and stir well. Remove pan from heat and whisk in the cocoa powder.
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In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs and vanilla. Pour the chocolate mixture into the bowl and whisk until well combined. Gently stir in the flour and salt; do not beat or over mix.
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Spread 3/4 of batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth top.
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Spoon pumpkin filling by tablespoonfuls evenly over batter.
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Spoon remaining brownie batter over filling. Cut through batter several times with knife for marbled design.
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Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted 1 inch from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store in refrigerator.
I am a culprit, I love pumpkin recipes. There isn’t enough time for me to try them all. Also, my whole foods is out of pumpkin already and I’m sad! I bought sweet potato puree instead and I’m gonna use that for some sweet potato muffins. : )
oh yah, your brownies look SO good!
So pretty – and just the perfect blend of pumpkin and chocolate!
Ah I love the cute little picture of them! And these sound awesome – I never used to think pumpkin and chocolate could go well together but I’ve recently learned this isn’t true AT ALL!
Oh wow! These look like a perfect fall treat!
@Autumn @ Good Eats Girl, Thanks!
@Liz (Little Bitty Bakes), I’m not even big on pumpkin but I like it paired with chocolate!
Those are great pictures! I agree with the pumpkin craze everywhere online! I fell victim to it though HAHA
Love it! They look rich and sinfully delicious!
Ha! I know what you mean about the pumpkin, but your brownies looks absolutely wonderful!
Ha, if only I was sick of all the pumpkin! I could eat pumpkin all year long so I love the overload:-)
These look crazy good. How can you go wrong with choc brownies AND pumpkin!
I am behind -I have yet to post or eat anything pumpkin! However your brownies do look like a great way to a delicious start. Chocolate and pumpkin-simply delicious.
Who wouldn’t risk pumpkin overload to dive into these! Count me in.
I just never tire of pumpkin, despite its overuse in blogland. I simply love it!
I just pinned these. I couldn’t help myself!
Ha! “pumpkin diarrhea”. Love it! I’m a pumkin fan but have actually been trying to avoid baking with it too much this year- looks like I might fall victim to these brownies as well…
Seriously, you cannot resist pumpkin this time of year! Although I have been trying to branch out into apples so that they don’t feel left over this season. Love the brownies!
and this post just made me smile
i love pumpkin so i definitely can relate, i’m one of the crazies (but candy corn is still my fave!)
Looks fantastic and I think would equally be good with Yams!
I almost laughed out loud at the phrase ‘pumpkin diarrhea. I have to admit, even though I make a few dishes with pumpkin (like today) I’m definitely no where near as into it as most bloggers so by the time the end of the season rolls around, I’m none too bummed.
You are right about the pumpkin diarrhea, though it is one of my favorite ingredients so I am happy to see you used in these brownies because they look amazing!
Oh man! Everyone is going pumpkin crazy & so am i!
Pumpkin diarrhea hahaha….I love it! You’re right it is a little isn’t it? I have to admit it’s good stuff and I can’t help getting drawn into in too. Although I’m looking forward to Cadbury Mini Eggs soon, yay! Those are my favorites and I love that I can get them at Christmas time now.
Hahaha! There is a lot of pumpkin going around, but it’s so easy to see why with all these delicious recipes. These brownies look fantastic!
Liz, there’s no denying pumpkin is the pinnacle of the baking world this time of year, and your words made me smile. Like you, I like pumpkin better when it’s paired with deliciousness like chocolate. These brownies hit the mark!
I love pumpkin! These look great, I’ve never tried pumpkin brownies before. Adding this to my list!
You are SO funny! I am sitting here at 2:57 in the morning trying not to wake my family because I’m laughing hysterically out-loud! My dog is now awake, but I think honey bunny is asleep! GREAT recipe and post! I’m absolutely, positively, buzzing this one! Thank you SO much!
Those look yummy,and how’d you get that swirl to be so perfect?
I agree with you re: the pumpkin overload but it’s fall – you have to give in, right? These look delish and your photos are fabulous!! Now – I really need to try this recipe as well as the pumpkin soup.
I have been curious about this recipe – it looks great! There definitely is some pumpkin overload out there! I have a few pumpkin recipes that I like, but I am not an over the top huge fan of it!
I haven’t gone pumpkin yet – I’ve been sticking to apples. Not sure why or when I drew the sand in the line but its there and once I go pumpkin there’s no turning back. Besides, it hasn’t really been cold enough to warrant pumpkining. Thats right, pumpkining.
love the color of that pumpkin swirl!
These look great! I love the hershey candy cane kisses too. I’d love for you to add your pumpkin to our pumpkin overload…why fight it right? Seasonal Potluck link party here http://bit.ly/eLlgG2