This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
There are a few things in life that I procrastinate on. One thing I tend to procrastinate on is spending money on something that I really don’t want to spend money on and feel that the money could be spent on something else aka things I actually want. What I’m talking about is, I have been procrastinating buying a new pair of work shoes for a really long time. I think I needed a new pair over a year ago but I seriously cannot justify spending $50 on a pair of work shoes. Call me cheap or selfish, but I’d rather put $50 into a pair of shoes I can wear on any other day but work days. I have a different outlook on work attire than others. People I know love dressing up for work. They say it’s the only time they can dress up and show off cute new outfits. Um, hello. Not true. You can make time & go on cute dates with your husband and dress up. Anyway.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, I hate dressing up for work. Maybe that’s my nerdy IT developer mindset because I know some people see clients on a day to day basis so that’s why they probably need to dress up, but me? I come to work, sit in front of a computer all day, attend maybe one or two meetings a week, and that’s it. I just don’t have this urge to dress up so that’s why I hate buying stuff for work. When I deem something that’s “for work,” I do not wear any of it outside of work because it just gives me a weird vibe. I don’t want to feel like I’m at work outside of work, you know? Or you don’t? I’m just weird, huh?
SOOO YEAH. Long story short (or not really): I need a new pair of work shoes and I refuse to spend over $50 for them and I have been procrastinating like a kid who doesn’t want to clean up their playroom. It’s gotten to the point where the shoes I’m wearing are destroyed (like the heel is dunzo) so I’m forced to look for a new pair of work shoes.
Any ideas where I can go to look for cute work flats? DSW? Target? I haven’t had much luck with both those in a while…thoughts??
I love pumpkin, I love cheesecake, and I love brownies. The trifecta that are in these pumpkin cheesecake swirl brownies is pretty dang awesome. The brownies are SUPER moist on the inside (as you can see from that picture above) and the pumpkin cheesecake on top is just fantastic. I loved smelling this while it was baking in the oven. I think this would be the perfect dessert to bring to a friendsgiving party or to have on your Thanksgiving menu. :)
Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Brownies
Ingredients
For the brownies:
- ⅓ cup (29 g) Dutch-processed cocoa
- 1 ½ teaspoon instant espresso, optional
- ½ cup (118 ml) plus 2 tbsp. boiling water
- 2 ounces (57 g) unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
- 4 tablespoon (56 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup (118 ml) plus 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (400 g) sugar
- 1 ¾ cups (219 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 6 ounces (170 g) bittersweet chocolate, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
For the pumpkin cheesecake topping:
- 4 ounces (113 g) cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (82 g) pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Adjust oven racks to middle position and preheat oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Line a 9×9" baking pan with parchment paper and leave a one-inch over-hang on either side. Spray with non-stick baking spray and set aside.
- Whisk cocoa, espresso, and boiling water in a large bowl until smooth. Add unsweetened chocolate and whisk until melted. Whisk in butter and vegetable oil. The mixture might look a little funky, but it's ok.1/3 cup (29 g) Dutch-processed cocoa, 1 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso, 1/2 cup (118 ml) plus 2 tbsp. boiling water, 2 ounces (57 g) unsweetened chocolate, 4 tablespoon (56 g) unsalted butter, 1/2 cup (118 ml) plus 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
- Add eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla extract and continue to whisk until mixture is smooth and everything is combined.2 large eggs, 2 large egg yolks, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whisk in sugar until fully incorporated then whisk in flour and salt. Fold in the bittersweet chocolate pieces.2 cups (400 g) sugar, 1 3/4 cups (219 g) all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 6 ounces (170 g) bittersweet chocolate
- Pour batter into prepared baking pan and set aside while you make the pumpkin cheesecake topping.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the pumpkin puree, egg, and pumpkin pie spice. Beat until mixture is smooth and incorporated.4 ounces (113 g) cream cheese, 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar, 1/3 cup (82 g) pumpkin puree, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Taking a tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of pumpkin cream cheese batter onto the top of the brownie batter in no particular pattern. Take a toothpick or knife and drag it throughout the batter, swirling the pumpkin and brownie batters together.
- Bake the brownies for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is still jiggly. You don’t want to over-bake these otherwise they’ll be cakey!
- Let the brownies cool in the pan for 20 minutes then lift the brownies out of the pan with the parchment paper, and place onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prior to cutting, place brownies into refrigerator for 30 minutes then use a sharp knife to cut them into squares. Clean off the knife every now and then if it gets too gummy.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
These are amazing Julie. I don’t know about the shoes, but if you find some cute ones, PLEASE let me know!! Oh, try Macy’s- they get a lot of designers creating affordable lines.
i like dressing up for work but I spent more money on outfit rather than shoes. I have got couple pair from here http://www.naturalizer.com/en-US/Womens/_/_/Dress+Shoes/_/Products.aspx and I use them only for work. They are super comfortable and will last you forever. On a side note, can I have them for breakfast?
Thanks for the heads up! I found some on there that I adore – might have to hit up the Naturalizer outlet this weekend to see if there are some steals ;) thanks!
Oooo, really beautiful Julie!! Nom Nom Nom!
You just articulated my exact feelings about work attire! Button downs? No thanks unless it’s plaid flannel. ;-)
Pumpkin cheesecake swirl brownies have to be one of fall’s greatest gifts to dessert kind. Love this trifecta!
Side note if you have a second–what brand of dutch process cocoa do you like? I need to buy some and am wondering if there is a big difference between brands.
I don’t have a particular brand! I just grab whatever is at the store. I’ve used a Droste before and I’ve also used Hershey’s, if that helps! :)
Those look so good! What a great way to enjoy some pumpkin!
I’m a lover of brownies as you can tell from my blog. With a pumpkin twist? Yum. 2 awesome flavors rolled into one!
Wonderful!! Can I have these for breakfast?? ;)
These brownies are gorgeous and totally awesome since I only just recently started to get into cheesecake. Now am I making cheesecake everything and these are making the list!
Oh and the shoes? I have to say, I am the same way. I never want to spend money whether I want the item of not. I am just plain cheep as ever. LOL!
Why must you tempt me with this chocolate pumpkin goodness!?! :D P.S. I totally feel you with the dressing up thing. I’m so thankful that my work clothes are usually yoga gear. Is there a stitch fix equivalent to shoe shopping? If so, you should totally try it. :)
These look fantastic, Julie! Awesome photos as always!
Thanks so much Kristyn! :)