These chocolate Pumpkin Brownies are a delicious pumpkin-flavored fall treat. The batter is made with melted chocolate for extra fudgy brownies that are a great Thanksgiving dessert alternative to pie.
Add the pumpkin almond butter frosting to make the brownies look extra festive. Includes a healthy pumpkin brownies option with white whole wheat flour and coconut sugar.
I LOVE everything pumpkin and pumpkin spice flavored, but actual pumpkin pie isn't too high in my favorite pumpkin dessert list. It doesn't even have to be fall for me to add pumpkin puree to smoothies, oatmeal, and sauces year round.
Pumpkin puree is also a fantastic way to make super moist baked treats - like these pumpkin chocolate brownies. Furthermore, it can even be used to replace or decrease the amount of fat in many recipes.
In today's pumpkin spice brownie recipe the pumpkin puree definitely contributes to the awesome fudginess. And another contributing factor is the melted chocolate (instead of cocoa powder) in the batter.
Ingredients & Substitutions
For the Pumpkin Spice Brownies:
- dark chocolate - I used an 85% chocolate bar, dark chocolate chips work too
- butter - or coconut oil
- coconut sugar - or brown sugar (I like unrefined brown sugar like muscovado, demerara)
- pumpkin puree
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- white whole wheat flour - or regular (whole wheat) flour or gluten-free flour blend
- pumpkin pie spice - a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger
- baking powder
- sea salt
For the pumpkin almond butter frosting:
- almond butter
- pumpkin puree
- maple syrup
- almond milk - or milk of choice
- vanilla extract
- pumpkin pie spice
See the recipe box below for detailed measurements.
Instructions
1. In a saucepan melt the chocolate and butter. Add the remaining wet ingredients. And then the dry ones. Mix until well combined.
2. Pour the batter into a parchment paper lined 8-inch baking sheet and bake at 350°F/180°C.
3. For the frosting mix almond butter, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla and pumpkin spice. Add milk as needed to achieve desired consistency.
4. Spread the frosting over the brownies with a spatula or make it thinner to drizzle over top. Alternatively, fill into a small bag, snip off the corner and pipe the frosting in a swirl pattern. Sprinkle with a little chopped up chocolate
Storage
These healthy brownies with pumpkin are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They will keep for 5-7 days.
FAQs
Follow the instructions in this recipe to make delicious, fudgy pumpkin brownies. Start by melting chocolate and butter. Add the remaining wet ingredients (sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, vanilla). Then stir in the dry ingredients (flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, salt). Bake in a square baking dish at 350F for 30-35 minutes.
Pumpkin puree gives baked goods a slightly sweet flavor and deliciously moist texture. It will keep them from drying out too quickly in the oven (not as prone to over baking). And also when stored later, they won't dry out as quickly.
- Brownies were invented in the United States in the late 19th century and quickly became a popular treat.
- The first brownie recipe appeared in the 1897 Sears, Roebuck catalog.
- There is some debate about whether the first brownie was intended to be a cake or a cookie.
Chocolate brownies are beloved for their rich, fudgy texture and decadent chocolate flavor. The combination of melted chocolate and butter contributes to their irresistible taste and texture.
The addition of ingredients like pumpkin puree can further enhance their moist and flavorful profile.
While traditional brownies are made with chocolate, variations such as blondies use ingredients like brown sugar and vanilla to create a similar bar cookie without the chocolate flavor.
Some recipes may also use other flavors or ingredients, but the defining characteristic of a brownie is its dense, chewy texture.
Related Recipes
More yummy pumpkin recipes you will love
Recipe
Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies
Ingredients
- 4 ounces dark chocolate 85% chocolate bar or dark chocolate chips/chunks
- ⅓ cup butter or coconut oil
- 1-¼ cup (coconut) sugar or unrefined sugar like muscovado, demerara, etc.
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup white whole wheat flour or regular (whole wheat) flour, or gluten free flour blend
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Pumpkin Almond Butter Frosting:
- ¼ cup almond butter
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1-3 tablespoons almond milk or milk of choice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350° F/180°C. Line an 8 or 9-inch (20 or 23 cm) square pan* with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan melt dark chocolate and butter/coconut oil on low heat while stirring regularly.4 ounces dark chocolate, ⅓ cup butter
- Once melted stir in sugar, pumpkin puree. Then mix in the eggs and vanilla extract.1-¼ cup (coconut) sugar, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl whisk together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and sea salt. Add the dry to the wet ingredients and fold in without over mixing.¾ cup white whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. For fudgy brownies a toothpick inserted into the centre should come out with just a few wet crumbs attached.
- Let the brownies cool to room temperature, then chill in the fridge before adding frosting and slicing into squares.
- For the frosting, stir together all ingredients in a small bowl. Add more milk to achieve desired consistency. Thicker frosting has to be spread or piped, while thinner icing can be drizzled.¼ cup almond butter, 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1-3 tablespoons almond milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Notes
Nutrition
Pin for later?
Amy
They look amazing!
We have nut allergies. Any substitutions for the almond butter that would be similar in taste and texture?
Thanks☺️
Regina
How about a seed butter? Like sunbutter or maybe even tahini
Tiffany
I love a good brownie and these look delicious. The pumpkin almond butter frosting is a nice touch. Great for Thanksgiving.
Regina
My thoughts exactly! Perfect for those guests that aren't crazy about pie (like me)
Colleen Milne
These look beautiful and the chocolate and pumpkin together sounds delicious!
Regina
Thanks so much Colleen! It's a great combination
Bethany
I love a good brownie! These look amazing!
Regina
I am not sure I trust people who don't like brownies 😉
The Food Hunter
I love their chocolate.
Regina
We are HUGE fans too. It's just so good
Sabine
Regina, I'm in love with those brownies. The frosting looks so adorable. It lets me thinking of Halloweeeeen.
Regina
You are so right! It almost looks like an orange tinged spiderweb. It didn't even occur to me before your comment 🙂
Cristina
Thanks for the amazing recipe! 🙂
Perfect for entertaining family for
Thanksgiving!
Regina
Yes, I sure hope these brownies will make it's way onto many Thanksgiving tables
Neli @ Delicious Meets Healthy
Perfect recipe for all! Love the chocolate and pumkin combination! Can't wait to try it!
Regina
Aww let me know how it goes, when you do try these
Leslie Rossi | alifewellconsumed
i'd never thought to use pumpkin for brownies!
Regina
It's such a great way to make them extra moist and fudgy!
Katie
You had me at chocolate... and pumpkin... and brownie. Okay basically I don't see how this could go wrong. Looks delicious and that icing sounds to die for.
Regina
Right?? All the good things in one great browie
Syama
We are big fans of Green & Black's chocolate, but they usually disappear before I get cook with them :-). These brownies must be absolutely delicious .
Regina
Haha I know exactly what you mean! I had to hide an extra stash for baking 😉
Matt @ Plating Pixels
Recipes like this get me excited for fall! Can't wait to try the pumpkin chocolate combo.
Regina
Oh yes this recipe just screams of fall! Although I can see myself making it anytime of year
Ginny
What an absolute great brownie. Love that it's chocolate/pumpkin and then that icing is so smart. Thanks!
Regina
The icing is almost the best part! So easy but totally takes these brownies to the next level
Maggie Unzueta
YUM! I wish one of these brownies was in front of me. They look delicious. Pinning for later.
Regina
Haha, me too! I made them a while ago already and wish there were any leftovers 😉
Angie@Angie's Recipes
You have me at that pumpkin almond butter frosting! These look so autumny and irresistible!
Regina
Yes! That frosting is amazing and really takes these brownies to the next level.