Finding Joy in Simple Recipes
A Seasonal Take on a Nostalgic Brownie Classic
When life gets stressful, many of us fall back into patterns and habits that make us feel more in control of our surroundings. Some people may turn on their favorite sitcom for a marathon session (looking at you, Brooklyn 99!), others may deep clean their houses to work through nervous energy. Me? I head to the kitchen. There is something both comforting and reassuring about working with ingredients I can measure and control; and end up with something pleasing. If it’s anything to do with chocolate, well, that’s pretty much the ultimate comfort for me!
I have been spending A LOT of time in the kitchen lately. Partly for work and partly for my own sanity. It’s important that we each find something to spark joy and create a sense of balance, both now and in the future. I’ll be doing that while nibbling on a big chunk of this Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Brownie Recipe!
Cinnamon scented pumpkin blondie batter is swirled into a decadent rich dark chocolate brownie base. This fall themed recipe is ooey-gooey and delicious. The perfect choice for your next coffee date or packed as a lunch box treat for the kiddos!
Let Me Tell You About a Big Cookbook Event Before the Recipe
If you live in or around the Stamford, Connecticut area, please come by and enjoy a drink with me! We’re bringing the beauty of floral-bedecked tables and seasonal recipes to you! The generous folks at Deane INC and Elm Street Books will be hosting a special event for my new cookbook, Seasons Around the Table, on November 13th, from 6-8pm, at the Deane kitchen design studio in Stamford, CT.
This is going to be a lovely event with chef-prepared small bites, a Thanksgiving themed tablescape lesson, a Cookbook Q&A, and book signing with me! Act now, as there are only a few seats left. Find out more information and register here TODAY!
Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
Makes 12 bars
Ingredients
8 ounces (225 g) high-quality baking chocolate, 60% cacao
1 stick (115 g) unsalted butter + more for greasing the pan
3 tablespoons (15 g) high-quality cocoa powder
3 eggs (about 165 g)
1¼ cups (250 g) sugar
1 teaspoon (4.8 g) vanilla extract
½ teaspoon (1.5 g) + 1 small pinch (1 g) kosher salt, separated
1 cup (128 g) all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons (30 g) pure pumpkin puree
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9-by-9-inch (23 × 23
cm) baking pan with a sheet of parchment to fit the bottom.
Butter the sides of the pan. Reserve.
2. Break the baking chocolate into chunks and cut the butter
into pieces. Melt together the butter and chocolate, either in
a double boiler or (in a nonmetallic bowl) in the microwave
in 30-second increments, stirring in between sessions. Heat
until smooth and creamy.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla
extract, and salt.
4. Place ⅓ cup (80 ml) of this mixture in a separate bowl and then
add the pumpkin puree, ground cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon (8 g) of flour. Stir to
combine. This will be the “pumpkin batter.”
5. To the larger bowl of batter, add the melted chocolate and
butter, stirring with a rubber spatula or large wooden spoon
to combine. This will be the “chocolate batter.”
6. Add the rest of the flour and the cocoa powder to the chocolate batter. Stir well.
7. Pour the chocolate batter into the prepared pan and spread
with an offset spatula to smooth.
8. Using a spoon, dollop the pumpkin batter on top of the
chocolate batter. Take a spoon, or long skewer, and slightly
mix the two batters to create a marbling effect.
9. Bake in the oven on the middle rack at 350°F for 30–35
minutes, or until a toothpick comes out cleanly from the
center.
10. Remove from the oven and place on a wire cooling rack.
11. Let the brownies cool completely, then remove from the
pan.
12. Cut into squares and plate, or store in a covered container
until use.
More Event Information for Seasons Around the Table
With my cooking and home entertaining book now shipping around the world, it has been amazing hearing from all of my dear readers as they flip through the pages! It makes my heart so full, and the book’s reception has been wonderful. If you are in the New England area and want to get your book signed by me for the holidays, come visit me at one of these awesome events!
And, Don’t Forget to Check Out the End of This Newsletter ;)
Need a Little Thanksgiving Table Inspiration?
Check out these TV Segments, where I created 2 Fall Themed Tablescapes and give you a sneak peek at the lessons inside Seasons around the Table!
On Tampa’s Daytime News Channel WFLA-8, Tap Here
On set with the amazing New York Living Show on WPIX-NYC, Tap Here
These look delish and so seasonal! And I am a Brooklyn 99 fan too!