(pumpkin) brownies

well, my brownies didn't turn out as good as my cousin's did. i don't know how to "swirl" the pumpkin stuff into the brownie batter. and i don't think mine got thick enough. oh well. i have 2 batches sitting in the kitchen. maybe chris will still eat them. they don't taste bad, just not as good as regular brownies. they are good for fall, but i probably won't make them again this year. maybe i'll try next year.

the recipe is from Picky Palate, and it's for a Pumpkin Pie Swirled Brownie. my cousin just made it as a brownie, no pie. so i thought i would do the same. i went to Kroger saturday morning to pick up everything i didn't have at home, and headed home to bake.

my friend mary came over, since chris had gone to the Georgia/Vandy game in her place. she took all of these lovely pictures. she really enjoyed using the camera!

now, i'm finally going to share my homemade brownie recipe. they are so good. the batter is even better. i'd rather eat the batter than the actually brownies. either way, i think they're best with a nice cold glass of milk.

so, bust out your beautiful KitchenAid mixer and let's get baking!

for regular brownies you'll need:
(this makes 1 batch)

1 stick of butter

3 heaping tablespoons cocoa

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup flour

8x8 brownie pan*

*most sizes will work, although cooking times my differ

preheat the oven to 350.

first, cream butter, cocoa, sugar and vanilla.

i usually put the butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds.

if you're using a mixer, take the butter out of the fridge and let it sit for about 20 minutes to let it soften.

this is what it should look like with just the butter, cocoa, sugar and vanilla.

beat in 2 eggs.

add flour.

i usually add it in a little at a time.

doesn't that look delicious? it's so good!

put in an 8x8 pan, and bake for 20-25 minutes*

*you can tell they're done if you stick a fork in the middle of the pan and it comes out clean.

if you have a helper, or in my case, a baby that woke up in the middle of making brownies, give them a bottle. if you have an actual helper, put them to work!

after the bottle was gone, she ate some snacks while i finished up the pumpkin stuff. i think she would have rather been eating some brownies though! i'm sure she'll eat some soon!

if you want to try the pumpkin brownies, you'll need:

1 cup pumpkin, like Libby's

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup evaporated milk, like Pet Milk

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 egg

the directions say to add everything together and mix, which is what i did. i think mine should have been thicker, so i would say if you're going to try it, to add everything except the milk, and mix. then slowly add the milk in, and it'll thicken up.

that's what my pumpkin stuff looked like. when i swirled it in, i don't think i did it right. i guess i'm not a good swirler.

and that's how you make homemade brownies. it's really easy, and they are really good.

enjoy!