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Easy Pumpkin Brownies Recipe

Let me tell you, this Easy Pumpkin Brownies Recipe quickly became my cozy fall favorite! If you love rich chocolate brownie vibes but want a little seasonal twist, this is it. The pumpkin puree adds moisture and a subtle warmth that makes these brownies incredibly tender without being dense, which is perfect for when you want an easy dessert to share without much fuss.

Whether you’re baking for a chilly afternoon treat or bringing something unique to a holiday gathering, you’ll enjoy how effortlessly these brownies come together. Plus, the ingredient list is simple and pantry-friendly — no complicated steps or weird ingredients that require a special trip!

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday pantry staples and canned pumpkin for convenience.
  • Moist Yet Fudgy Texture: Pumpkin puree keeps the brownies moist without making them cakey or dry.
  • Quick Prep and Bake: From start to finish, you can have these ready in about 35 minutes.
  • Customizable Flavor: Easily add nuts, chocolate chips, or spices to make it your own.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Easy Pumpkin Brownies Recipe uses a handful of wholesome ingredients that each contribute to the perfect balance of chocolate richness and pumpkin moisture. Plus, they’re easy to find any time of year, which is something I appreciate!

  • Flour: Provides structure; all-purpose works great for a tender crumb.
  • Cocoa powder: Adds deep chocolate flavor without heaviness — I recommend unsweetened for best taste.
  • Baking powder: Gives just the right lift so brownies aren’t too dense.
  • Salt: Enhances the chocolate and balances sweetness.
  • Pumpkin puree: Moisturizes the brownies naturally and adds a subtle fall flair.
  • Agave or maple syrup: Adds sweetness and a little extra moisture without granulated sugar’s crunch.
  • Vegetable or canola oil: Keeps brownies tender and rich; you can swap for melted coconut oil if you want a slight coconut hint.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with my Easy Pumpkin Brownies Recipe depending on what I have on hand or who I’m baking for. This recipe is versatile enough to handle lots of fun tweaks without losing the core pumpkin-chocolate magic.

  • Chocolate Chips or Chunks: Sprinkling in ½ cup of bittersweet or milk chocolate chips adds gooey pockets of melty chocolate that everyone loves.
  • Nuts: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gives the brownies a satisfying crunch and complements the pumpkin perfectly.
  • Spices: A dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice amps up the fall vibe – I often add a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice for that cozy aroma.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Try swapping the flour with your favorite gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly treat (just prep for slightly different texture).

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Pumpkin Brownies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan well with a bit of oil or non-stick spray so those brownies slide out easily later on. Sometimes I line it with parchment paper for an even neater release — that way, you don’t have to worry about pieces sticking when you cut.

Step 2: Mix It All Together

Grab a medium-sized mixing bowl and add all your dry ingredients first: flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Give them a quick stir to combine evenly. Then add the pumpkin puree, oil, and sweetener right on top and mix everything gently but thoroughly until you have a smooth batter. It’s okay if there are a few tiny lumps as long as there’s no flour hiding around.

Step 3: Bake Until Almost Set

Pour your batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out evenly. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 25 minutes. Here’s a pro tip: check around 23 minutes and look for that telltale wobble in the center — the brownies should be just set on the edges but still a tiny bit jiggly in the middle. This means they’ll be perfectly moist and fudgy when cooled.

Step 4: Cool Before Cutting

Once out of the oven, let the brownies cool completely in the pan. I know it’s tempting to cut them right away, but patience pays off here! The brownies continue firming up as they cool, so waiting at least 20–30 minutes ensures they slice cleanly without crumbling. Then, just cut into nine generous squares and enjoy!

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Tips from My Kitchen

  • Use Canned Pumpkin: Canned pumpkin puree gives consistent moisture and flavor; homemade can vary in texture.
  • Watch Your Bake Time: Overbaking dries out the brownies, so rely on the wobble check, not just the timer.
  • Don’t Skip the Cooling: Letting the brownies cool fully is the key to perfect cutting.
  • Sweetener Swap Insight: I’ve used both agave and maple syrup; maple gives an extra hint of warmth that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.

How to Serve Easy Pumpkin Brownies Recipe

Nine thick square brownie pieces are arranged neatly on a white marbled surface, each piece showing a dark brown, slightly rough and textured top layer. One brownie piece is slightly lifted and tilted, revealing a dense, moist, and crumbly inside with a rich chocolate color. The surface of the brownies has wrinkles and small cracks, giving a homemade look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For a finishing touch, I love dusting a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or cocoa powder to highlight the chocolatey goodness. Sometimes I spoon a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla Greek yogurt on top for extra creaminess. If you’re feeling festive, a drizzle of caramel sauce complements the pumpkin flavor wonderfully.

Side Dishes

These Easy Pumpkin Brownies Recipe go great with a hot cup of spiced tea, chai latte, or freshly brewed coffee — think ultimate cozy vibes. For larger gatherings, pairing with vanilla ice cream turns them into a dreamy dessert everyone will rave about.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve served these brownies on a rustic wooden board with autumn leaves and mini pumpkins as decor for fall parties. You can also stack small squares in little parchment paper wraps or gift boxes for adorable homemade treats. It’s fun to add a sprinkle of roasted pepitas or chopped nuts right before serving for extra texture and color pop.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When I have leftovers, I store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I find they stay perfectly moist, and the flavors actually deepen after a day or two. Just keep the container sealed well so they don’t dry out.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully! I like to cut the brownies into squares before freezing and layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container or bag. They keep well for up to 2 months, perfect for making in advance or saving extras for later.

Reheating

To reheat, pop a frozen brownie in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or until warm. You can also thaw them at room temperature, then heat slightly in the oven for a few minutes if you want them warm and fudgy again, just like fresh-baked.

FAQs

  1. Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?

    You absolutely can! Just make sure to roast and puree the pumpkin until very smooth and drain any excess water, as homemade puree can be more watery than canned. This recipe is forgiving, but canned pumpkin generally gives more consistent results.

  2. How do I know when the Easy Pumpkin Brownies Recipe is done baking?

    Look for edges that are set and a center that still has a little wobble when you gently shake the pan. The brownies should be moist inside but no longer raw — baking a bit past this can dry them out.

  3. Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?

    Yes! Adding up to half a cup of mix-ins like chocolate chips or chopped nuts is a great way to customize the brownies without affecting the bake time or texture too much.

  4. Is this recipe gluten-free?

    The recipe as written uses all-purpose flour, but you can substitute a gluten-free flour blend. Just be aware the texture may vary slightly, so I recommend blending flours that contain xanthan gum or guar gum for best results.

  5. What sweeteners can I use besides agave or maple syrup?

    You can try honey or a light corn syrup substitute, but agave and maple syrup give the best consistency and flavor balance. Granulated sugar isn’t recommended here as it may dry out the brownies.

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t recommend this Easy Pumpkin Brownies Recipe enough if you want a quick, comforting treat that feels just a little more special than standard brownies. It’s become my go-to whenever I want something that hits both the chocolate and fall flavor cravings without spending hours in the kitchen. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll be a staple in your recipe box too — it’s that good and that easy!

Print
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Easy Pumpkin Brownies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Lucy
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 9 brownies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Deliciously moist and easy-to-make pumpkin brownies that combine the rich flavor of cocoa with the natural sweetness and moisture of pumpkin puree, perfect for a seasonal treat.


Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups flour
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree
  • ⅓ cup agave or maple syrup (sugar works too)
  • ¼ cup vegetable or canola oil


Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and grease a 9×9 inch (17×17 cm) baking pan to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine ingredients. In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix all the dry and wet ingredients together until the batter is completely smooth and uniform in texture.
  3. Bake the batter. Pour the prepared batter into the greased pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until the brownies are mostly set with a slightly wobbly center indicating moistness inside.
  4. Cool the brownies. Remove the pan from the oven and let the brownies cool completely before cutting, allowing them to finish cooking and setting.
  5. Serve and enjoy. Cut the cooled brownies into 9 squares and serve warm or at room temperature for a delightful treat.

Notes

  • Use canned pumpkin for consistent moisture and texture; homemade pumpkin puree can also be used but results may vary.
  • Add your preferred mix-ins such as nuts or chocolate chips, but keep total additions under ½ cup to maintain the brownie texture.
  • Allow the brownies to cool for at least 20-30 minutes before cutting to let them finish cooking and avoid crumbling.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 brownie
  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 130 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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