When it comes to throwing a successful holiday shindig, it’s often less about the big meals and more about tasting bites. No surprise to anyone, our favorite tasting bites are in the form of dessert. Whereas everyone else may be baking up cookies for Santa, we love to throw something a little special into the mix. These pumpkin cheesecake brownie bars are definitely something special. Homemade brownies and pumpkin cheesecake layered, baked and chilled until perfectly gooey. You can shorten your cook time by using a store-bought mix or follow our steps for making them the old fashioned way. You can also add an extra layer of decadence by topping the cheesecake with a simple ganache. Once chilled and set, you can cut the brownies as large or small as you need. Top with whipped cream, crushed nuts or powdered sugar for garnish. You’ll love this recipe from our online pastry school.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies
Brownie Ingredients
10 oz baking chocolate
2 cups sugar
1 stick butter
½ cup water
3 eggs
1 ½ cups flour
1/3 tsp baking soda
Brownie Directions
1. Place the chocolate and sugar in a bowl. Bring the water and butter to a simmer. Pour the water and butter mixture over the chocolate and sugar mixture. Wait a minute and then stir until the chocolate is melted all the way. Add the eggs. Sift the flour and baking soda and mix in.
2. Grease and paper a 10 x 15 pan and pour the brownie mixture in spreading evenly. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Ingredients
1 lb cream cheese
¾ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp flour
¾ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp each ginger, allspice, nutmeg
1 cup pumpkin
3 eggs
Pumpkin Cheesecake Directions
1. Cream the room temperature cream cheese using a standing or hand mixer. Add the brown sugar, flour and spices, scraping down the bowl intermittently. Add the pumpkin and then eggs, scraping down the bowl after each addition.
2. Pour the cheesecake mixture over the prepared brownie and bake in a water bath for about 45 minutes or until set. Cool and cover with ganache, refrigerate until set and garnish as desired.
Ganache Ingredients
5 oz semi-sweet chocolate (chopped)
½ cup heavy cream
Ganache Directions
1. Place the chocolate in a bowl. Bring the cream to a boil and pour over the chocolate, let sit for 1 minute then whisk together.
