Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
- 1 egg (for cheesecake layer)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for cheesecake layer)
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal later. Lightly grease the parchment with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and 1 cup of sugar. Add 2 eggs and the vanilla extract, whisking until well combined. Sift in the cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. If using chocolate chips, stir them in now. Reserve about 1/2 cup of this batter for the swirl later.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the pumpkin puree, one egg, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and the pumpkin pie spice. Mix until the filling is uniform in color and texture without any lumps.
- Spread the main portion of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing it into the corners. Carefully pour the pumpkin cheesecake mixture over the brownie layer, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Drop spoonfuls of the reserved 1/2 cup brownie batter onto the top of the pumpkin layer. Use a butter knife or a wooden skewer to gently drag the brownie batter through the pumpkin layer in a figure-eight motion to create a marbled effect.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The brownies are done when the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Do not overbake, or the cheesecake layer may crack.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. For the cleanest cuts, refrigerate the brownies for at least 2 hours before lifting them out by the parchment paper and slicing them into 16 squares.
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian