Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Cheesecake- Topped Brownies with Pumpkin Butter Swirl

On a recent apple-picking venture in our local mountains, I found myself coming home laden with more than just apples... apple cider, apple butter and pumpkin butter followed me home too. I found uses for the cider and apple butter within muffins and breads. But the pumpkin butter stumped me. Sure, I could have used it on toast or bagels or any of the normal ways to use it up. But truthfully, I don't really care for it all that much for breakfast. My answer was in a dessert recipe: Cheesecake- Topped Brownies with Pumpkin Butter Swirl.

The bottom brownie layer was thick, while the cheesecake functioned as a thin layer on top. A mixture of pumpkin butter and apricot jam were swirled into the cheesecake.

The brownie itself was very fudgy- similar in texture and taste to Ina's brownies. I liked that they turned out a bit uneven and 'hilly.' It made them a little more interesting, and each sliced brownie was unique in its appearance.

The pumpkin-swirled tops of these brownies remained sticky and gooey, so a little sheet of parchment in-between layers took care of containing the mess as well as the impending disaster of glued-together treats.

This is what happens when you make your subjects sit for an extended photography session where they are poked and prodded and commanded to perform. They get sleepy and lazy and bored and... tip over.

The verdict is that these were excellent brownies... very different with the pumpkin flavor attached to the top. If you enjoy chocolate and pumpkin together, this is for you. Unlike those pumpkin brownies that I made a while back, you can actually taste both the chocolate and the pumpkin flavors in this recipe.

If you're looking for a fall treat recipe that makes a large quantity... this is a good one. I made these in a 12x17-inch half-sheet pan and ended up with about 4 dozen brownies (yeah, the teachers got these treats too.) We ate one, or two (ok three). And I have to say that these were also terrific when paired with a scoop of lowfat vanilla ice cream.

This recipe can be found HERE.
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46 comments:

  1. ManggyNovember 12, 2008 at 2:12 AM

    Omigosh, that's beyond sinful! I want one! (Or ten!)
    But... low-fat ice cream? Hee hee :)

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  2. AnonymousNovember 12, 2008 at 2:43 AM

    Hells Bells that looks good! How ingenius to top it with cheesecake!

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  3. CookiePieNovember 12, 2008 at 2:58 AM

    Beautiful!!! I love pumpkin and chocolate together, especially when you can really taste both. YUM! Now, where is that jar of pumpkin butter from Trader Joe's...

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  4. Clumbsy CookieNovember 12, 2008 at 3:12 AM

    This is wonderful! I've never tasted pumpkin butter but I think you had the best idea to use it! The brownie layer looks to die for by itself, but the top layer gives it that special something! Lovely!

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  5. Patricia ScarpinNovember 12, 2008 at 5:21 AM

    Look at that golden goodness!

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  6. Valerie Harrison (bellini)November 12, 2008 at 5:25 AM

    An enjoyable twist to the perfect brownie:D

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  7. LoriNovember 12, 2008 at 5:56 AM

    Looks like paradise. Your brownies look so rich and fudgy on the bottom layer. I was already craving brownies before I got here. It is getting worse. Might. Have. To Give. In.

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  8. SaraNovember 12, 2008 at 6:14 AM

    These look so delicious, I love pumpkin and chocolate together. Adding cheesecake makes it even better.

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  9. Barbara BakesNovember 12, 2008 at 6:26 AM

    Sorry you could get the brownies to behave while you were taking pictures! They look delicious!!!

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  10. BunnyNovember 12, 2008 at 6:42 AM

    You've got lots of flavor and texture goin on here, great brownies!

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  11. HeatherNovember 12, 2008 at 6:57 AM

    ohhh. yum!! that looks great! i love the pumpkin butter!!

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  12. Cathy - wheresmydamnanswerNovember 12, 2008 at 7:08 AM

    Decadent... This is a winner!!!

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  13. MelanieNovember 12, 2008 at 7:43 AM

    The cheesecake/pumpkin/apricot layer looks perfect with it's swirls and hills from the brownie. Definitely a photogenic food item, I would say! Plus, I bet they taste delicious.

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  14. SandieNovember 12, 2008 at 7:59 AM

    Since I've gone on a pumpkin kick as of late, I think I'll add this recipe to my list of must-trys. I dearly love brownies, and I really like the taste of pumpkin in baked goods.

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  15. AnonymousNovember 12, 2008 at 8:33 AM

    The pumpkin butter sounds so good! These look great.

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  16. CakespyNovember 12, 2008 at 9:30 AM

    Absolutely tantalizing. The swirls are perfection!

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  17. TaraNovember 12, 2008 at 9:42 AM

    Oh my gosh! Another one I have to make...I've been baking all your treats this past few weeks and my family is expecting them every day now ;O) But that's okay! They're dang good and we're enjoying the calories together!

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  18. My Sweet & SaucyNovember 12, 2008 at 10:23 AM

    Wow, I am definitely drooling over the pumpkin butter swirl on top...

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  19. ColleenNovember 12, 2008 at 10:28 AM

    Wow, those look amazing!

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  20. MariaNovember 12, 2008 at 10:31 AM

    That swirl is amazing! What a wonderful way to top off brownies!

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  21. AnonymousNovember 12, 2008 at 11:37 AM

    I think the "hilly" gives it style :) It looks almost like you did it on purpose. Yum! Very creative.

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  22. Judy@nofearentertainingNovember 12, 2008 at 12:41 PM

    What a great use for pumpkin butter!!! Love them!

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  23. Snooky doodleNovember 12, 2008 at 1:08 PM

    wow it looks delicious and it looks so nice too.

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  24. AnonymousNovember 12, 2008 at 1:16 PM

    What a beautiful idea! Every layer looks and sounds magnificent!

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  25. vanillasugarblogNovember 12, 2008 at 2:28 PM

    Girl you never cease to amaze me. How very creative. These sound insanely good. I love new creations.

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  26. AnonymousNovember 12, 2008 at 3:58 PM

    Sheet pan brownines with hills and buttery pumpkin...yeah, the lucky teachers! They are so pretty!

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  27. MelitaNovember 12, 2008 at 7:11 PM

    My God that looks so delicious!

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  28. AnonymousNovember 12, 2008 at 8:29 PM

    what a great way to dress up a regular batch of brownies! i love cheesecake and that pumpkin butter swirl looks absolutely decadent!

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  29. That GirlNovember 12, 2008 at 9:41 PM

    We almost came home with more than just apples too, but last minute hit the pause button!

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  30. We Are Not MarthaNovember 12, 2008 at 9:56 PM

    Oh wow! These are on my "must make before pumpkin season is over" list. Seriously, I do have one. They look amazing!!

    Sues

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  31. AnonymousNovember 13, 2008 at 2:54 AM

    gorgeous brownies. the flavours sound fabulous and that swirl on the top is teasing me to no end! x

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  32. LizNoVeggieGirlNovember 13, 2008 at 3:53 AM

    EXTREME DECADENCE ALERT!!!! These should be illegal!!! Mmmm, love them ;-)

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  33. KatrinaNovember 13, 2008 at 4:43 AM

    Gotta find me some pumpkin butter. But where? Those brownies do look yummy. I love the rolling hill tops.

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  34. AdamNovember 13, 2008 at 5:10 AM

    Wow those look beautiful. I really like the cream cheese with pumpkin, but the pumpkin butter adds another cool dimension :) Great idea for the holidays.

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  35. graceNovember 13, 2008 at 5:37 AM

    them's purty. :) cheesecake swirl brownies are always hit, and adding the pumpkin butter makes them perfect for thanksgiving. :)

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  36. PatsykNovember 13, 2008 at 6:35 AM

    You've done it again! And, those pictures are mouth-watering!

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  37. Stacey SnacksNovember 13, 2008 at 6:49 AM

    RG,
    who is the recipient of all these delicious sweets?
    Are you giving them away?

    Sangria and brownies in one week!

    Stacey

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  38. DebbieNovember 13, 2008 at 7:34 AM

    The brownies look great. Good combinations! I have pumpkin butter in my pantry that I have been dying to use in something!!!

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  39. Jersey Girl CooksNovember 13, 2008 at 7:41 AM

    I love chocolate and pumpkin and i love the way the swirls look. Maybe a little retro or something:)

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  40. Peter MNovember 13, 2008 at 7:53 AM

    The verdict? Sell all & move beside Lori to ge her best neighbor...will do gardening for sweets!

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  41. RicoNovember 13, 2008 at 10:15 AM

    well I am Portuguese living in England and married to an Irish girl. But this recipe just loved me and I loved it back...so much so that i'll have to make it.

    http://ricocoffeeshop.blogspot.com

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  42. Nina TimmNovember 13, 2008 at 10:44 AM

    Oh my gosh, this is a serious sweet fix.....Love the idea!

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  43. IvyNovember 13, 2008 at 12:37 PM

    I love cream cheese and use it a lot. Great idea to use it on the brownies.

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  44. susanNovember 13, 2008 at 2:28 PM

    AHHH, i am now craving those brownies. they look so flavorful and moist!

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  45. Jerri at Simply Sweet HomeNovember 13, 2008 at 11:33 PM

    Wow! Those look wonderful!

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  46. SharonNovember 14, 2008 at 12:14 PM

    We had a great time in Julian! We have so many apples and I feel like that's all I've been cooking with.

    These brownies look amazing. The swirl looks beautiful!

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