Delicious moist pumpkin loaf, meets chocolate brownies, with a layer of chocolate running through the middle! A great chocolate twist on pumpkin loaf.
Last year I made a wonderful Vanilla Brownie Pound Cake Loaf and I decided to bring that same idea in to pumpkin season, pairing the brownie layer with my favourite pumpkin loaf recipe.
Pumpkin and chocolate go fabulously together and this easy loaf provides the best of both flavours, together. This one's a great one to have on the counter for slice and enjoy goodness. Wonderfully moist, this pumpkin loaf actually gets better the longer it sits.
Ingredient Notes
Chocolate: Note that this recipe calls for UNSWEETENED chocolate. You’ll find unsweetened chocolate in the baking aisle with the other baking chocolate. You could substitute bittersweet/semisweet chocolate by using 4 oz of bittersweet chocolate and reducing the amount of sugar in the Brownie Batter by 1/4 cup (so instead of 1 cup sugar in the Brownie Batter, use only 3/4 cup)
Pumpkin: As usual when baking with pumpkin, you'll want to use canned pure pumpkin puree here, not pumpkin pie filling.
Cook's Notes
No, you don't need this special pan to make this loaf! Simply use regular loaf pans and bake it like a normal loaf. It will bake right side up, so no need to invert at the end, as with this special decorative pan.
This recipe makes two loaves. I like to leave it in these quantities, as it uses up most of a large can of pumpkin puree. If you don't need 2 right away, eat one and freeze the other. It keeps beautifully in the freezer. Or surprise someone special with your extra loaf :)
If you only want/need one loaf, use the adjustable serving tool in the recipe card and adjust it to "10", to adjust the ingredients for making just one loaf.
I'm in love with this pretty Nordic Ware Harvest Bounty Loaf Pan! That said, it works best with a certain type of loaf. This recipe came out beautifully in it as it is a more dense loaf. Any sort of pound cake like loaf should work well in the pan, as well. A softer, more cake-like loaf is likely to give you trouble, as will any loaf with a low fat content, as the fat helps to prevent sticking.
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Want to add this festive Harvest Bounty Loaf Pan to your kitchen, too?
Recipe
Pumpkin Chocolate Brownie Loaf
Ingredients
Brownie Batter:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Pumpkin Batter:
- 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup vegetable oil, or canola or other neutral cooking oil
- 2 1/4 cups canned pumpkin puree
- 3 large eggs
Instructions
- Makes two 9x5-inch loaves.
- Prepare the Brownie Ripple Batter: Combine the butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH until melted, about 1 minute. Stir until smooth and slightly cooled. Whisk in sugar and flour. Add the egg and vanilla and stir to form a loose batter. Set aside to cool slightly while making cake batter.
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans. Set aside.
- Prepare the pumpkin batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, spices and white and brown sugars.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the oil and pumpkin. Add this mixture to the dry mixture and stir until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, blending well after each addition.
- Add 1/4 of the Pumpkin Batter to the bottom of one of your prepared loaf pans. Level batter. Add 1/2 of the Brownie Batter and spread in to an even layer. Top with another quarter of the pumpkin batter and spread level. Repeat with the second loaf pan.
- Bake in preheated 350 F. oven for 55-75 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean. *Baking times will vary, so be sure to test for doneness before removing from the oven. Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.
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Hi! I'm Jennifer, a home-cook of many years and a lifelong seeker of delicious food! I'm an equal opportunity eater. I enjoy eating all the foods!
Oriana says
The pumpkin loaf on its own is wonderful, but the addition of brownie batter just gives it that extra little something. I halved the recipe to make only one loaf, but it was such a big hit, I should have made two.
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed it, Oriana :) Thanks so much!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
This loaf is absolutely brilliant and so unique!!! I'm loving the rich brownie meets moist pumpkin combination!!!! Plus, this is one of the prettiest loaves I've ever seen! Absolutely perfect for fall!!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Cheyanne! This loaf pan didn't disappoint. It's such an easy way to make a pretty loaf.
Leanne says
I'm in the process of updating a chocolate chip pumpkin loaf and I wish I had your loaf pan! Loving the brownie swirl in the middle of the loaf. I would really enjoy a slice with my morning coffee right now!
Jennifer says
Thanks Leanne and yes, I don't have a ton of fancy pans, but I make a lot of Fall loaves, so I thought it was a fun addition :)
Chris Scheuer says
Oh my! This is spectacular. I'm so glad you brought it back around as I don't remember seeing this before but it is definitely a "must make"!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Chris :)
Tricia B says
So pretty and the flavor combination is perfect. Great pan - I LOVE it!
Jennifer says
Thanks Tricia! It was fun to bake in and such a fun when it pops out of the pan :)
Laura | Tutti Dolci says
Beautiful loaf! Your brownie swirl is irresistible! :)
Jennifer says
Thanks Laura!
Meg | Meg is Well says
This is such a beautiful loaf of bread and the band of brownie batter in the middle is blowing my mind. Pumpkin bread and brownies are my favorite so this is the best thing ever!
Jennifer says
Thanks Meg and yes, pumpkin and brownie is awesome together :)
Sara @ Cake Over Steak says
This sounds like a fantastic combo! Thanks for joining in :-)
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Sara :)
Robyn Gleason says
Oh my gosh, Jennifer, every time I visit your site I'm left with my jaw dropped and craving your latest delish recipe. Chocolate and pumpkin sounds like an amazing combo and this loaf is so moist and beautiful! Give me 2 plates please!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much Robyn :)
Susana says
Hello, Jennifer.
Oh god, that pumpkin brownie loaf looks so pretty and yummy. You really make so yummy recipes dear. I will definitely cook this with more chocolate bits on top because why not. Haha
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Susana and more chocolate is never a bad idea :)
2sistersrecipes says
I adore breads and the combination of the chocolate with the pumpkin is perfect for me!!
Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Jennifer says
Thanks Anna :)
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
What a pretty looking loaf, Jennifer! Love that combo :)
Jennifer says
Thanks Dawn :)
Kym Grimshaw | On The Plate says
Looks incredible! Your photo stopped me in my tracks browsing through the hashtag on Instagram yesterday and I've been craving a spiced pumpkin loaf ever since. With the brownie in there as well, wow, if I made it I would polish the whole loaf off no problem!
Xx
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Kym! I am well on my way to polishing off a whole loaf myself :)
karen r says
hi there, is it one ounce or two ounces of unsweetened chocolate? in your text you say one but in the recipe it says two? looks lovely!
Jennifer says
Hi Karen, sorry for that confusion. It's 2. I have fixed that :)
Ang says
Great loaf! However, I did have to bake it for much longer than 50-60 minutes. I was a bit skeptical that it would be done that early and definitely found that it needed at least 20 min more. I have an oven thermometer and baked it at 350. Maybe it’s becuase I baked both at once? Was I supposed to bake one at a time?
Jennifer says
Hi Ang and so glad you enjoyed it. It's fine to bake two at a time, though I am surprised it took that much extra. I bake mine one at a time, as I only have one "fancy" pan :) I've made note in the instructions that it may take longer (with two in the oven). Thanks so much!
2pots2cook says
Beautiful photos ! So simple ingredients yet so beautiful flavours ! Looking for more beauties to find at "your place " ! Thank you so much ! Pinning !
Jennifer says
Thanks so much :)
Katrina says
Such a stunner! Love that brownie swirl! :P
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Katrina :)
[email protected] says
Ooooh! I love chocolate and pumpkin! One of my favorite fall combinations! Simply amazing!!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Annie :)
Lynn | The Road to Honey says
This is such a genius idea Jennifer. And I love that squiggly brownie layer running through the loaf. It sort of reminds me of Charlie Brown's outfit. . .(so you can match your pumpkin loaf to your Halloween costume ?)
Jennifer says
Lol! It definitely has that orange and brown thing going :)
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
I'm literally drooling!
Jennifer says
Thanks Sue :)
Milena | Craft Beering says
It looks sublime Jennifer! Perfectly baked and moist, cannot say I could refuse several slices. Rather the opposite.
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Milena :)
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
This loaf looks amazing Jennifer! Bring on the pumpkin! Can't wait to check out all the other recipes!
Jennifer says
Thanks Mary Ann :) Lots of pumpkin goodness on offer today!
Sarah | Well and Full says
The only pumpkin bread I've ever had was the one at Starbucks, and while it's good, I bet homemade is way better. (Especially with that brownie batter ripple!!!) Happy Virtual Pumpkin Party! :)
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Sarah :) And same to you!
Patty Jensen says
This looks wonderful! And if you squint just right, the layer of chocolate looks like a bat. So appropriate for Halloween. Or maybe I've just not had enough coffee and my brain is still foggy this morning!
Jennifer says
Lol! I kept seeing things in there, too. Kind of like an edible Rorschach test :)
Chris Scheuer says
This is so pretty and sounds wonderful Jennifer. I just can't get enough pumpkin these days!
Jennifer says
Thanks Chris and no shortage of pumpkin inspiration around today :)
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
This is one beautiful loaf Jennifer! I love this chocolate-pumpkin combo and will have to give it a try one day. It looks amazing.
Jennifer says
Thanks Tricia! A bit of chocolate never disappoints :)