Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Brownies

When Myriam announced an extension of Browniebabes Round 3, I thought it would be nice to improve my original submission, but that I probably wouldn’t have the time or opportunity to bake. When a little fall chill hit last week, I began thinking about one of my deepest foodie loves, pumpkin. If you know me, you knew it was only a matter of time before pumpkin made its first fall-ish appearance in my blog! (I do cook with pumpkin year-round, but it’s extra special in the fall.)
I began contemplating new ideas for pumpkin and realized that while pumpkin bread and muffins always shine, the combination of pumpkin and chocolate and is often overlooked. Sure, chocolate chips will sometimes stud a pumpkin loaf, the two aren’t quite treated as equals. I wanted something that really allowed two of my favorite flavors to come together and strike a glorious taste bud. It finally came to me – take that all-time favorite, the cheesecake brownie, and kick it up a notch with pumpkin. Everyone loves pumpkin cheesecake, and everyone loves a fudgey, rich brownie. The colors and flavors would be perfect for fall. Even though it’s still the end of summer, I decided it was time to get into the fall spirit. Before we know it, Sundays will be full of football, the leaves will be turning, and one more very important thing – I’ll be married! Bring on the fall!

For this creation, I combined a fudgey, cinnamon-spiced brownie with a classic pie-spiced pumpkin cheesecake mixture. I must say, the cinnamon in the chocolate batter truly marries the flavors together, as the traditional Mexican combination is right at home with the spiced pumpkin mixture. Next time you’ve got the crowd gathered around the big screen enjoying bowls of piping hot chili and sweet cornbread for the big game, keep the sugar and spice going with these awesome brownies!

Pumpkin-Spice Cheesecake Brownies
Brownie Batter
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon

Cheesecake Batter
6 oz cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp flour
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp each ground ginger and ground cloves

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease an 8×8″ square metal baking pan.

Beat together melted butter, sugar, and vanilla, then beat in eggs one at a time. Combine dry ingredients and then gradually stir into butter mixture with a wooden spoon. In separate bowl, beat together cheesecake batter ingredients.

Spread about 2/3 of chocolate batter into prepared pan, and spoon cheesecake batter over. Dollop remaining brownie batter over cheesecake batter. Swirl the batters together by running a butter knife back and forth through the pan.

Bake for 40 minutes, or until center is set. Cool completely on wire rack and chill before cutting and serving.

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22 Responses to “Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Brownies”

  1. 1

    Carrie — August 29, 2007 @ 4:15 am Reply

    This recipe is brilliant! I can’t wait to try these brownies!

  2. 2

    Kayte — September 1, 2007 @ 11:21 pm Reply

    these look incredible. such a wonderful combination of some of my favorite foods 🙂 i can’t wait to try them!

  3. 3

    VeggieGirl — September 2, 2007 @ 12:59 am Reply

    oh my goodness these marble brownies are truly a work of art!! gorgeous!!

  4. 4

    Claudia — September 2, 2007 @ 4:06 am Reply

    Oh my God Cara these look and sound awesome!!! I can’t wait to make them for my cousin who absolutely LOVES pumpkin 🙂 Thanks.

  5. 5

    Renea — September 2, 2007 @ 7:50 pm Reply

    Beautiful! They look so rich and delicious!

  6. 6

    Amber — September 3, 2007 @ 1:25 am Reply

    They look wonderful Cara. Great job.

  7. 7

    Carrie — September 3, 2007 @ 2:22 am Reply

    These brownies look really yummy! I entered the browniebabes event for the first time this round. I’m so excited! Good Luck!

  8. 8

    JennDZ - The Leftover Queen — September 3, 2007 @ 3:01 pm Reply

    This sounds WONDERFUL, Cara! I love love love pumpkin! This is defiantely going in the recipe files!

  9. 9

    winedeb — September 4, 2007 @ 4:15 pm Reply

    Yum Cara! Such a nice fall twist! Saving this one for guests around Thanksgiving!

  10. 10

    Tara — September 6, 2007 @ 5:28 pm Reply

    ummm….decadent!!! i’m SO making these this fall!!

  11. 11

    Joelen — September 9, 2007 @ 4:29 am Reply

    Looks awesome and I can only imagine how fabulous they must taste!

  12. 12

    Erin — September 15, 2007 @ 8:04 pm Reply

    YUM! Thanks so much for this recipe! It was delish!

  13. 13

    Michele — September 16, 2007 @ 11:01 pm Reply

    Hi there! I wanted to let you know I made your brownies this morning for a picnic we were invited to. I have to say I was a little nervous but they came out wonderfully. I will definitely be making them again! Absolutely delicious!

  14. 14

    Cate — October 2, 2008 @ 5:07 am Reply

    WOW! Very impressive marbling and they look SO rich and delicious!

  15. 15

    Amy — November 4, 2008 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    I’m totally making these tonight! 🙂 Thanks for the great recipe!

  16. 16

    Lemon Gloria — September 22, 2010 @ 4:27 pm Reply

    These sound amazing! My husband contends that if pumpkin were that good, people would eat it more than once a year…I think I'm going to make these and prove him wrong.

  17. 17

    Lemon Gloria — April 5, 2011 @ 1:23 am Reply

    These sound amazing! My husband contends that if pumpkin were that good, people would eat it more than once a year…I think I'm going to make these and prove him wrong.

  18. 18

    Cate — April 5, 2011 @ 1:23 am Reply

    WOW! Very impressive marbling and they look SO rich and delicious!

  19. 19

    Joelen — April 5, 2011 @ 1:23 am Reply

    Looks awesome and I can only imagine how fabulous they must taste!

  20. 20

    Renea — April 5, 2011 @ 1:23 am Reply

    Beautiful! They look so rich and delicious!

  21. 21

    winedeb — April 5, 2011 @ 1:23 am Reply

    Yum Cara! Such a nice fall twist! Saving this one for guests around Thanksgiving!

  22. 22

    Carrie — April 5, 2011 @ 1:23 am Reply

    This recipe is brilliant! I can't wait to try these brownies!

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