On a recent apple-picking venture in our local mountains, I found myself coming home laden with more than just apples… apple cider, apple butter and pumpkin butter followed me home too. I found uses for the cider and apple butter within muffins and breads. But the pumpkin butter stumped me. Sure, I could have used it on toast or bagels or any of the normal ways to use it up. But truthfully, I don’t really care for it all that much for breakfast. My answer was in a dessert recipe: Cheesecake- Topped Brownies with Pumpkin Butter Swirl.
The bottom brownie layer was thick, while the cheesecake functioned as a thin layer on top. A mixture of pumpkin butter and apricot jam were swirled into the cheesecake.
The brownie itself was very fudgy- similar in texture and taste to Ina’s brownies. I liked that they turned out a bit uneven and ‘hilly.’ It made them a little more interesting, and each sliced brownie was unique in its appearance.
The pumpkin-swirled tops of these brownies remained sticky and gooey, so a little sheet of parchment in-between layers took care of containing the mess as well as the impending disaster of glued-together treats.
This is what happens when you make your subjects sit for an extended photography session where they are poked and prodded and commanded to perform. They get sleepy and lazy and bored and… tip over.
The verdict is that these were excellent brownies… very different with the pumpkin flavor attached to the top. If you enjoy chocolate and pumpkin together, this is for you. Unlike those pumpkin brownies that I made a while back, you can actually taste both the chocolate and the pumpkin flavors in this recipe.
If you’re looking for a fall treat recipe that makes a large quantity… this is a good one. I made these in a 12×17-inch half-sheet pan and ended up with about 4 dozen brownies (yeah, the teachers got these treats too.) We ate one, or two (ok three). And I have to say that these were also terrific when paired with a scoop of lowfat vanilla ice cream.
This recipe can be found HERE.
We had a great time in Julian! We have so many apples and I feel like that’s all I’ve been cooking with.
These brownies look amazing. The swirl looks beautiful!
Wow! Those look wonderful!
well I am Portuguese living in England and married to an Irish girl. But this recipe just loved me and I loved it back…so much so that i’ll have to make it.
AHHH, i am now craving those brownies. they look so flavorful and moist!
I love cream cheese and use it a lot. Great idea to use it on the brownies.
Oh my gosh, this is a serious sweet fix…..Love the idea!
The verdict? Sell all & move beside Lori to ge her best neighbor…will do gardening for sweets!
I love chocolate and pumpkin and i love the way the swirls look. Maybe a little retro or something:)
The brownies look great. Good combinations! I have pumpkin butter in my pantry that I have been dying to use in something!!!
RG,
who is the recipient of all these delicious sweets?
Are you giving them away?
Sangria and brownies in one week!
Stacey
You’ve done it again! And, those pictures are mouth-watering!
them’s purty. 🙂 cheesecake swirl brownies are always hit, and adding the pumpkin butter makes them perfect for thanksgiving. 🙂
Wow those look beautiful. I really like the cream cheese with pumpkin, but the pumpkin butter adds another cool dimension 🙂 Great idea for the holidays.
Gotta find me some pumpkin butter. But where? Those brownies do look yummy. I love the rolling hill tops.
EXTREME DECADENCE ALERT!!!! These should be illegal!!! Mmmm, love them 😉
gorgeous brownies. the flavours sound fabulous and that swirl on the top is teasing me to no end! x
Oh wow! These are on my “must make before pumpkin season is over” list. Seriously, I do have one. They look amazing!!
Sues
We almost came home with more than just apples too, but last minute hit the pause button!
what a great way to dress up a regular batch of brownies! i love cheesecake and that pumpkin butter swirl looks absolutely decadent!
My God that looks so delicious!
Sheet pan brownines with hills and buttery pumpkin…yeah, the lucky teachers! They are so pretty!