Outrageous Pumpkin Brownies

The only recipes coming from my kitchen lately have been brownies and cookies... just a constant stream of cookies.  Every week it's a new batch and I can't seem to stop.  I need to branch out and bake something else.  I think it's because cookies are super easy to bake.  And sometimes I like to be lazy and binge all day on Always Sunny in Philadelphia.  I did bake a huge chocolate Halloween cake last night but it was pretty basic and nothing to blog about.  However, these brownies are.

These brownies are super fudgy, amazing, and completely outrageous.  Am I selling them to you?  I hope so.  You should definitely bake these during this festive Halloween season.  The secret ingredient is pumpkin!!

You can't taste the pumpkin since there's so much dark chocolate and cocoa powder, it just adds moisture.  I used chopped dark chocolate from Trader Joe's.  I used one of those one pound chocolate bars they sell.  Have you ever bought one before?  This was my first time and it was pretty thrilling to buy such a gigantic chocolate bar.  Will definitely be doing that again.

Sugar pumpkins my mom grew

Outrageous Pumpkin Brownies

3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
8 ounces dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Whisk in sugar and bring mixture to a boil, whisking frequently.  Remove pan from heat and stir in chocolate until melted and smooth.  Stir in pumpkin until combined; set aside to cool slightly.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and baking soda.  In a large bowl, beat the eggs and vanilla until well combined and frothy.  Beat in melted chocolate mixture until well combined.  Whisk in dry ingredients until just combined.  Stir in nuts or chocolate chips, if desired.

Spread batter into a greased 13x9-inch pan.  Bake 25-30 minutes or until set and crisp around the edges.  Cool on a wire rack.

Makes 12 brownies