If you are one of those people who rejoice when all the pumpkin-flavored products take over the coffee shop and grocery store shelves each fall, this brownie recipe is definitely for you. We tricked out this beloved chocolate treat with a creamy swirl of spicy, vitamin-rich pumpkin. Not only do these brownies look festive for a fall event or Halloween party, we also cut down the calories and fat to make it a heart-healthy treat you can feel good about sharing.
Darlene Zimmerman, a registered dietitian with the Henry Ford Heart & Vascular Institute, developed this Heart Smart® recipe conveniently using a box of brownie mix. To make it a little healthier but maintain moisture, she uses less oil than the 1/2 cup usually called for in boxed brownies and replaces it with just a couple of tablespoons of canola oil and plain fat-free Greek yogurt. Using one egg instead of two makes the brownies gooier.
Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
(Downloadable/printable PDF of this recipe)
Yield: 16 servings
Ingredients:
Vegetable oil cooking spray
3 ounces (6 tablespoons) reduced-fat cream cheese
1/4 cup canned 100% pure pumpkin
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 box (18.0-ounce) chocolate brownie mix
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/3 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt
1 egg
1/4 cup water
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat a 9-by-9-inch pan with cooking spray. In a bowl, blend together cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Add sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice; mix to combine. In a separate bowl, stir together brownie mix, oil, yogurt, egg, and water until just combined. Pour brownie batter into prepared. Spoon pumpkin mixture by the tablespoonful evenly over batter and cut through brownie batter several times with a knife, creating a marble design. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Allow brownies to cool completely on a wire rack. Makes 16 brownies.
NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING: Calories = 173; Fat = 5 gm; Saturated fat = 1 gm; Trans fat = 0 gm; Cholesterol = 16 mg; Protein = 3 gm; Sodium = 135 mg; Carbohydrate = 31 gm; Fiber = 1 gm
Henry Ford LiveWell and Kroger have teamed up to assist you in your wellness journey! Learn how to shop and cook healthy by signing up for a grocery store tour hosted by a Henry Ford registered dietitian nutritionist at Kroger stores across southeast Michigan.
Looking for more info and want to make an appointment with a registered dietitian? Call 1-855-434-5483 or email ContactUs@henryfordlivewell.com.
Heart Smart® is a registered trademark of the Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute at Henry Ford Hospital.
