It’s that time of the year, everything pumpkin showing up to say hello… I shall add my humble contribution to the party with this batch of delicious brownies that I made for our department a few weeks ago. The original recipe called them bars but in my mind, brownies fit them quite well. They are moist, sweet, with all the mandatory spices that warm your body from the inside. Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea. Perfect as a little pick me up mid-morning. A shower of colorful sprinkles is optional. I found the recipe through a google search in the blog Sugar Apron. Such a cute name!
PUMPKIN BROWNIES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
(from Sugar Apron)
for the brownies:
1(15 oz) can pumpkin
2 eggs
2 cups flour (250 g)
1 cup sugar (225 g)
1/2 cup oil (112 g)
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
for the frosting:
4 oz cream cheese (115 g)
3 tbsp butter,softened
1 tsp milk, if needed
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar (110 g)
colorful sprinkles (optional)
Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 inch pan with parchment paper and spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, ground ginger, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cloves and cinnamon. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
In the bowl of a stand mixer combine the eggs, vanilla, oil and pumpkin on medium speed until light and fluffy. Pour in the center of the dry ingredients, then stir gently, just until combined. Ladle the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely. When completely cooled, frost.
Make the frosting by combining the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl beating an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low-speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. You may need to add a little milk to make it spreadable if your butter wasn’t soft enough. Spread frosting evenly on top of cake, add sprinkles if you like. Cut the brownies into any size you like.
ENJOY!
to print the recipe, click here
Comments: These were another huge hit with our department, judging from the enthusiastic feedback and how fast they disappeared from the mail room. I of course loved them, with all those spices it could not be different. If you have homemade pumpkin puree, use it. I recently learned that most canned pumpkin products are actually made from types of squash. It doesn’t bother me at all, but if you are a serious pumpkin purist, consider making the veggie mash from scratch. The frosting was a lot of fun to make, I did not need to include milk. It doesn’t get hard, so I kept the whole pan in the fridge overnight, sliced and took to work early next morning. Sprinkles of course make it very festive. My bottle of sprinkles is pretty big, so I need more reasons to use them before we get into the horrific, depressing, devastating, catastrophic dead of winter.
ONE YEAR AGO: Anne Burrell’s Focaccia
TWO YEARS AGO: Double Chocolate and Mint Cookies
THREE YEARS AGO: Cappuccino Panna Cotta
FOUR YEARS AGO: Chicken Parmigiana, the Thriller
FIVE YEARS AGO: Wild Mushroom Risotto
SIX YEARS AGO: Tartine Bread: Basic Country Loaf
SEVEN YEARS AGO: Pugliese Bread
These look really good! Great addition to the pumpkin party. I’m sure your department luurved these! They are lucky to have you bringing treats!
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I guess we both have the same situation, the possibility of taking our goodies to work – I am baking today again, hopefully it will turn out “department-worthy” 😉
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Looks really awesome
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it was very tasty… especially with the frosting…
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Yes me very sure
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Very colourful and delicious.
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when the weather turns ugly, better bring some color to the world!
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Your work colleagues must seriously love you!!!!
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THe early birds definitely do – but I know the folks who rather arrive past 10am face some problems – nothing left! 😉
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The early birds get the worm…!
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Oh Sally those are beautiful. I love the whimsy!
I sense you do not like winter;) I love winter…I love starting the gas fireplace (gave up hauling wood years ago) the even warmth it offers, my fluffy dog next to me, a good book to read or movie to watch. Our summers here in the Sacramento Valley are so blasted hot, that I swear my blood boils until just about now. The trees are all ablaze with riotous color, and I get the urge to get to the kitchen and do a little baking. Try to enjoy the winter beauty.
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I don’t like cold weather, it’s ingrained in my genes the love for all things summer – but I’m getting better and face it all with more dignity than a few years ago, when I whined pretty much from October to March. Such a fun person to be around… 😉
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I understand, I feel the same way about our hot summers…ugh!
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pumpkin brownies! never tried anything like this before. amazing. thank you!
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I hope you give these a try…
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Here we go again. I just popped by to copy the Roasted Lemon Vinagrette recipe and here I am lusting after Pumpkin Brownies instead!
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ah, the roasted lemon vinaigrette, a favorite! Aren’t you happy you came for one thing and left with two? 😉
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