Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

These Pumpkin Swirl Brownies are the perfect easy fall dessert! They’re ultra rich and fudgy with the perfect sweet pumpkin swirl on top! These homemade brownies with pumpkin are simple to make with basic ingredients, and they’re sure to become your go-to fall dessert recipe!

 

Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

There’s nothing quite as classic as a batch of homemade brownies, and when it comes to fall, adding pumpkin to homemade brownies is the plot twist no one saw coming. These Pumpkin Brownies are SO moist, dense, and oh so chocolatey. And with the pumpkin spice swirl on top? They’re absolutely irresistible.

And maybe the best part of this recipe is just how easy it is to make. Basic ingredients, about 5-10 minutes of prep time, and you’ll be left with the best fall brownies of your life. Trust us, this Pumpkin Swirl Brownies recipe is SO good, everyone will be begging you for the recipe!!

Pumpkin brownies are a fall-inspired mashup that will blow you away! They’re made with layers of cozy pumpkin spice with classic, fudgy chocolate brownie, usually made by swirling together two separate batters (a chocolate brownie base and a pumpkin batter) for marbled bars that taste like brownie-meets-pumpkin pie.

There are a few different ways to combine pumpkin with a fudgy brownie, including a straightforward pumpkin swirl over a from-scratch brownie, a pumpkin-cheesecake swirl on top for extra creaminess, and a quick take that folds canned pumpkin and spices into a boxed brownie mix for total simplicity.

Flavour-wise, you’ll usually find warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg (sometimes ginger or cloves too) to bring that autumn vibe, and of course lots of chocolate to balance it out. The texture is usually kept fudgy and moist rather than cakey, since that’s what makes brownies feel indulgent. Some recipes lean heavier on the pumpkin, while others keep it subtle…just enough to add warmth, spice, and that hint of classic fall flavour in every single bite.

Here’s why these Pumpkin Brownies have quickly become our go-to fall treat (and why we think you’ll love them just as much):

1. They’re the Best of Both Worlds: You get that deep, fudgy chocolate texture with a swirl of warm, spiced pumpkin in every single bite.
2. They’re SO Pretty: The marbled swirl on top makes them look bakery-worthy with almost no extra effort.
3. They Have the Perfect Flavour Balance: The pumpkin and spices enhance the chocolate without overpowering it, and the chocolate flavour compliments the pumpkin flavour perfectly!
4. They’re Super Moist and Fudgy: The swirl method keeps the brownies soft, dense, and rich, and the chocolate layer especially is SO fudgy!
5. They’re Simple but Impressive: They’re so easy to make, yet they look like a dessert you’d serve for a special occasion or pick up in a bakery.
6. They’re Perfect for Fall: With warm spices and pumpkin purée, they’re the ultimate seasonal treat.
7. They Stay Fresh For Days: The pumpkin keeps them moist for days, making them perfect for make-ahead fall baking.

The secret to brownie baking is all in understanding the different kinds of homemade brownies and the science behind the recipes that create these three very different types of brownies. Let us break it down for you!

When it comes to homemade brownies there are really only 3 basic kinds: fudgy, cakey, and chewy. Here’s a breakdown of the three brownie categories:

1. Fudgy Brownies: Fudgy brownies have a dense, moist interior that practically melts in your mouth. They’re so moist, in fact, that they can sometimes seem underbaked when they come out of the oven. If you love a gooey, intensely chocolatey brownie like this, then these fudgy pumpkin brownies are for you!!
2. Cakey Brownies: If you’re into the lighter side of life, cakey brownies might be your jam. These brownies have a fluffier, more cake-like texture. Think of them as a cross between a brownie and a chocolate cake – a delicious compromise for those who enjoy a bit of levity in their desserts.
3. Chewy Brownies: If you’re a texture fanatic, chewy brownies are your ticket to dessert nirvana. These brownies strike a balance between fudgy and cakey with a slightly drier crumb. If you’re into a chewy brownie with a bit of frosting on top, you should check out our famous recipe for Grandma’s Homemade Brownies (they’re just a little bit fudgy and a LOT chewy!)

If you’re after a delicious fudgy homemade brownie, the key to you success is all in the science – that is, in the ingredients and their amounts and how they work together. Here’s how to tell brownie recipes apart:

1. Fudgy Brownies: If you’re after a fudgy brownie, look for a recipe with less flour that might call for brown sugar (or a combination of white and brown sugar). Fudgy brownie recipes also call for more eggs and usually don’t call for any leavener (baking soda or baking powder), as these ingredients would create more air in the batter, causing the brownies to lose their fudgy texture. Fudgy brownie recipes also usually call for a lot of butter or melted butter instead of oil because butter also contributes to the fudgy texture (oil creates a lighter texture than butter). Fudgy brownies also sometimes call for melted chocolate instead of cocoa powder, as this makes them ultra rich!
2. Cakey Brownies: These brownies often contain more flour than fudgy brownie recipes, and they often call for fewer eggs, vegetable oil instead of butter or melted butter, and they usually call for baking powder. When you add baking powder to your brownie batter it slowly creates a lot of air bubbles while the brownies bake, giving them a lot of lift and rise – just like a cake.
3. Chewy Brownies: These brownie recipes often look similar to cakey brownies but they sometimes contain a small amount of baking soda instead of baking powder. Baking soda causes brownie batter to rise quickly at the beginning of the baking process and then settle as it continues baking, creating a more chewy texture. Recipes for chewy brownies also often contain fewer eggs, vegetable oil instead of butter, and a little more flour than fudgy brownies. Chewy brownies are the middle ground between fudgy and cakey brownies because they’re dense like fudgy brownies but aren’t as moist and gooey.

Here are all our favourite brownie recipes we think you’re going to like as much as we do!

• Easy Brownies
• Red Velvet Brownies
• Mocha Cheesecake Brownies
• Easy Low Carb Brownies
• Grandma’s Fudge Brownies
• Mini Eggs Easter Brownie Parfaits

Here’s everything you’ll need to have on hand in your kitchen to make these easy Pumpkin Brownies (paid links):

• measuring cups and spoons
• mixing bowls
• Silicone Spatula
• liquid measuring cups
• Cutting Board
• large knife
• Whisk
• 9-inch by 13-inch (or equivalent) baking dish
• Parchment Paper

Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make these perfectly fudgy homemade brownies:

Bittersweet or Dark Chocolate (8 ounces) – melting real chocolate into the batter gives these brownies their deep, rich chocolate flavour and adds to the dense, fudgy texture.

Butter (1/2 cup) – butter is the key to richness and moisture. It blends with the chocolate for a silky base and helps create that chewy bite everybody loves in brownies.

Granulated Sugar (1 1/2 cups) – sugar doesn’t just sweeten, it also helps with structure, ensuring the brownies hold together while keeping the inside soft.

Eggs (4) – eggs add moisture, bind everything together, and create the dense, fudgy texture that sets brownies apart from cake.

Vanilla Extract (1 tablespoon) – vanilla enhances and intensifies the chocolate flavour, adding a subtle warmth that rounds out the taste.

All Purpose Flour (2 cups) – flour provides structure and stability, absorbing some moisture and giving the brownies the perfect chewy texture.

Salt (1/2 teaspoon) – just a touch of salt balances the sweetness and makes the chocolate flavour come through even more.

Baking Powder (1 teaspoon) – a little baking powder gives the brownies just enough lift to keep them soft and tender without losing their fudgy quality.

Canola Oil (2 tablespoons) – oil adds extra moisture and keeps the brownies soft and tender for days after baking. It also helps create a crackly top.

Cinnamon (1 teaspoon) – cinnamon brings a cozy warmth and spice that complements both the chocolate and the pumpkin.

Nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon) – nutmeg deepens the fall flavours, pairing perfectly with the pumpkin swirl.

Pumpkin Purée (3/4 cup) – pumpkin adds natural moisture and a creamy texture, while also creating that gorgeous swirl of fall flavour in every bite!

We hope you love this pumpkin brownies recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite pumpkin dessert for fall? We’d love to know!

• Pumpkin Cake
• Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Pumpkin Bars
• Pumpkin Bread
• Pumpkin Scones
• Pumpkin Roll
• Pumpkin Dip
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
• Pumpkin Spice Syrup

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