Pumpkin swirl brownies: I wrote this post in partnership with HERSHEY chocolate. It is a delicious, chocoately partnership, and I’m so glad to have them in my kitchen today.
Have you seen my pumpkin ebook for 25 pumpkin recipe that aren’t pie and 1 that is? I think you would love it.
If we're going to do Fall right, we're going to reach for a can of pumpkin. We're also going to have a heavier hand with spices and cocoa powder in general, because it's the season for baking and I couldn't be happier!
A note on working 'too hard'
You guys probably know this, but...I work really hard. I work every day of the week, and almost every hour of the day. As soon as I wake and until the last minute before I fall asleep, I'm doing some form of work.
I'm constantly facing challenges in my career path, and I feel like I'm constantly dodging bullets, juggling new skills, and fielding new information. It's overwhelming at times, yes. But you know what? I don't really think of it as 'work.' People that are close to me say 'you work too much,' but I don't really hear that. It's true that I'm always plugged in, my brain is always in the creative space, and I'm probably on my phone too much.
The thing is, it doesn't really feel like WORK. It feels like something I am obsessed with and allowed to pursue with gusto. I would describe it as a love affair that shows no signs of slowing. A love that consumes me, fills me up, but leaves me begging for more.
I love baking, I love photography, and I love writing cookbooks, so I would happily do it 24 hours a day. It never gets old to me; its allure never fades. I feel lucky that I get to fill the hours of the day with these things that make me so happy.
There are times when I get overwhelmed and frustrated. There are times when I know I need to take a break, go on vacation, and turn off my phone. But do you know what I do when I feel that way? I BAKE. I get in the kitchen and bake. It's technically still 'work,' but it has never felt that way.
Why I bake small batch desserts:
I bake small batches of desserts because it makes me happy, and I love that it doesn't use too many ingredients. The fact that I can make something fabulous even when my fridge is bare and only contains 1 egg makes me giddy. I love that I don't have leftovers, both for my waistline, but also so that I have an excuse to bake the next day, too. It's almost indescribable why two brownies make me happier than 22. Or why six cookies make me smile more than three dozen. It's just the way I'm made.
I love that small batch desserts make you happy, too. But truthfully, if they didn't, I'd still be here in this space, writing and sharing small batch desserts. If no one read my words or baked my recipes, I would still be here, baking two brownies in a loaf pan, but more specifically: pumpkin swirl brownies. One for me and one for you. (I would just have to eat your serving).
Pumpkin Swirl Brownies, the beginning:
I've had a lot of cool things come into my life because of my passion. Writing three cookbooks has definitely been the highlight, but I've also had a lot of brands come to me and ask me to use their products in my baking. And I have, here and there. I'm careful who I let into my space. I'm always guarding the door, making sure this job never becomes work.
But when Hershey's Kitchens asked me to talk about why I love baking, I let the door swing wide open. Their products are already nestled into my baking shelf in the pantry. Their love of baking is as fierce as mine.
So, I wanted to let you guys know that for the next 10 weeks or so, I'll be partnering with Hershey's to share recipes that I've made exclusively for them.
For making these pumpkin swirl brownies for two, I used their Natural Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (which already has a permanent home in my pantry). I swirled in pumpkin because Fall baking makes me happiest. I baked the pumpkin swirl brownies in a loaf pan for two large bakery-sized servings. And now I'm sharing them with you.
If you're here right now, you love to bake, too. Why do you love to bake? Is the kitchen your happy place? Why does your favorite whisk bring you such calmness? I'd love to share this passion with you even more. Is there a favorite recipe that you always turn to? Or, do you like to try something new?
Oh, how I wish you could be in the kitchen right next to me ❤️
If you share your words here with me in the comment section, that's incredible. But if you hop over to my Facebook page and share why you bake.
Pumpkin Brownies
Brownies for two made in a loaf pan...with a pumpkin swirl!
Ingredients
- 1 stick of unsalted butter
- ½ cup Hershey’s natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- For the pumpkin swirl:
- ⅓ cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325, and line a 9x5” bread loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving enough excess to use as handles for lifting the brownies out of the pan when done baking.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, cocoa powder, 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of sugar. Microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds.
- Stop, stir, and repeat for another 30 seconds.
- Let the mixture stand for 1 minute.
- Stir in the vanilla, salt and egg.
- Finally, add the flour and stir vigorously for 1 minute, or so, or about 50 strokes.
- Next, combine the pumpkin swirl ingredients in a bowl: stir together the pumpkin, sugar, egg yolk and pumpkin pie spice.
- Spread the brownie batter in the pan evenly, and top with dots of the pumpkin swirl batter. Using a toothpick (or fork) to swirl the mixtures together.
- Bake for about 40 minutes—a toothpick inserted should have lots of wet crumbs clinging to it, but no wet batter.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan, lift out and slice to serve.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 266Total Fat: 1gSodium: 586mgCarbohydrates: 54gSugar: 3gProtein: 8g
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
I love this post so much! I haven't been blogging as frequently, lately, but I still love having time to bake in the kitchen. The process is pure therapy and then being able to share something with others that makes them happy is the best (well, and enjoying the sweets myself too...). Now I feel like it's extra special when I get to bake with L and teach him about something I have so much passion for.
Debbi says
I love your recipes Christina because they are spot on perfect. Everything I bake comes out yummy because you have taken the time to do the work for us. I am constantly amazed that you bless us with your blog recipes and can also fill cookbooks of which I have two. Where does your inspiration come from to give your fans more and more new recipes. I love when you sneak in a few tidbits about your personal life. It does make us feel we are in your kitchen baking with you.
Christina Lane says
Wow, Debbi thank you so much for the kind words. So desperately needed today. <3 I'm grateful to you.
My inspiration comes from my cravings, hehe! :)
Taylor says
You just combined my two favorite desserts, these make me so happy! And I am 100% on board with baking as therapy, anytime I have a rough day at school baking cookies or brownies makes me feel better.
Kathe Davis says
Baking and Chocolate always make everything better. It fills the house with wonderful smells and put smiles on everyone's faces.
Sues says
This post totally resonated with me... People tell me I work too much all the time, too, but to me, it's not really work either; it's just what I love doing! I want to spend time doing it (sometimes more than I want to hang out with other people... or sleep!). And I love baking because of the quiet time in the kitchen that I can be with my thoughts and creating new delights and flavor combinations that haven't been experienced yet. These Pumpkin Swirl Brownies are so incredibly perfect-looking!!
Christina Lane says
You get me, Sues. You guys have been blogging just as long as me, maybe even longer. Sending y'all LOVE <3
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says
Loved reading this story girl! I love what I do, and sometimes it doesn't feel real, it feels like living a dream, a good one I don't want to end. These pumpkin brownies, definitely going to be making them, as I'm sure they're super yummy like all your recipes :)
Christina Lane says
Awww, Phi! Thank you so much <3 It feels like a dream because I get to be friends with you <3
Mary Lou says
These look amazing! I see in the description that the swirl is pumpkin cheesecake... But I don't see cream cheese listed as an ingredient? Thanks... Can't wait to try them!
Christina Lane says
Oops. There's no cheesecake in these. Next week, though ;)
Shawnna Griffin says
hey girl love the post! This looks so good! I love to bake to! Always have, my Mom was always in the kitchen when I was growing up. baking or cooking something else yummy! She taught me and my sister what's what and me both learned from her!
Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire says
I feel you on so many levels here. Baking is so fun and so stressful all at once. Sure, I sometimes want to tear my hair out when a recipe keeps failing, but I love the challenge and getting the sweet reward at the end. And I love these brownies and all your small batch desserts. They are perfect for making for my daughter as a treat for school without leaving too many behind for me to eat while she is away!
CJ Clark says
I notice there is no leavening agent here. No baking powder. No soda. How do these rise? Have some in the oven right now and they are just lying there.
Christina Lane says
Hi CJ! So, most brownie recipes don't have any leavening ingredients. This is why they're dense and fudgy, as they should be. If a brownie recipe has leaveners, it ends up being a cake-y brownie. Maybe you want a cake-y brownie? I'm not sure.
How did they turn out? I hope you liked them :) I love them!