Good morning! This is one of those recipes that I have been dying to share with you. Remember when I posted the Pumpkin Kiss Cookies? Well, while I was writing that post, I got this idea to make a ganache with those kisses. Then I thought those kisses would pair beautifully with chocolate. Once I thought chocolate, my brain immediately went to brownies. Rich, indulgent truffle brownies to be exact!
It really surprises me that I ever got the pumpkin kiss cookie post written that day. Before I was done writing it, I already had the butter and chocolate scaled out and getting to know each other in a double boiler. As you can see, I have a problem focusing sometimes! Moving on with this recipe, all I can say is it’s a must make! Let’s start with the oh so decadent truffle brownies. The key was to tweak them slightly so they wouldn’t be too sweet when paired with the pumpkin kiss ganache. A bit of instant espresso powder and a zip of cinnamon did the trick.
Once the brownies were out of the oven, I whipped up a little pumpkin kiss ganache. Pumpkin kisses plus heavy cream, there really are no words… The best part is when you take those brownies out of the oven they sink a little in the middle creating a little cavity that is just waiting to be filled with ganache. So you pour the ganache on the brownies, and pop them in the fridge to set up.
Last up is the dark chocolate glaze which really ties it all together. It has a shine to it so it looks pretty, and the dark chocolate balance out the sweetness of the kisses. Once you pour the glaze over the chilled ganache and it all sets up, it’s finally time to cut them. I love how the three layers look, and I really love how they taste! I want to quickly mention that I made these twice, once with kisses in the brownie batter, and once without. I prefer them without, I like them just in the ganache, but it’s up to you! The truffle brownies are rich, yet not heavy. They have a warmth to them that sets the stage perfectly for the pumpkin kiss ganache which is as smooth and silky as butter. All tucked under a layer of dark chocolate glaze, it will be very hard to have just one! Hope you all have a great day!
Ingredients
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate
- 6 ounces unsalted butter
- 3 eggs
- 1 & 1/2 cups light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup AP flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 16 pumpkin kisses - optional!
- 10 ounces (1 bag) Hershey's pumpkin kisses
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 & 1/4 ounces unsalted butter
- 4 ounces dark chocolate
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8″ x 8″ pan with parchment paper & spray with non stick spray.
- Melt chocolate & butter together.
- Mix eggs & sugar with whip attachment a few minutes until eggs thicken and get lighter in color.
- Mix in vanilla.
- Pour melted chocolate/butter mixture into mixer. Make sure it warm, not hot.
- Add flour, baking soda, espresso powder, cinnamon, salt, and mix just to combine.
- Pour batter into pan.
- If you want to put kisses in the brownies, this is when you will do so. Unwrap and drop them on top of the batter. If not, skip this step and just pop em in the oven.
- Bake at 325 degree for 40-45 minutes rotating once halfway through.
- Bring cream up to a scald and pour over kisses.
- Stir together till smooth and set aside.
- When brownies are completely cool, pour ganache on top.
- Refrigerate till set.
- Melt butter and chocolate together.
- Stir in light corn syrup.
- Quickly pour over brownies. I recommend using the glaze a little warmer than room temp.
- Refrigerate till set.
- Cut brownies with a clean, hot knife to get a clean cut.
Notes
As I mentioned in the post, I tried them twice, once with kisses in the brownies and once without. I prefer no candy in the brownies, but it is totally up to you!
When using the glaze, you want it to be warm, but not super hot.
Letting the brownies chill completely before cutting them will ensure that they cut clean. Most importantly, use a hot, clean knife when you cut them!
You can either get 9 or 12 out of this batch. When I cut 12 I thought they were kind of small, but they are very rich so it wound up being the perfect size.
These will stay for about a week in the fridge, but they have a tendency to disappear very quickly.
Remember these are truffle brownies, meaning they will sink a little in the middle when you take them out of the oven. That's good and leaves a nice space to fill with ganache.
I’m Meghan, a pastry chef, recipe developer and culinary personality, who loves to flirt with dessert. On Buttercream Blondie, I give your favorite sweets makeovers. Join me as I glam them up one recipe at a time!
Oh my do these look good! I love how perfect shape they are! Yesterday, I finally found and tried the pumpkin kisses!! There so good!
Thanks Jenn! So happy you finally found them!
What a great idea to make a ganache out of the kisses! These look amazing!
Thanks Jessica!
These might well be the most perfect-looking brownies I’ve ever seen! Can I have one? Pretty pleeeeease? =)
Oh, thank so much Amy! Anytime!
Wow, these look spectacular! They are presented beautifully and they look like they taste amazing
Thank you April!
These look so good, I can eat them with my eyes! LOL and in NAnimo BAr style..OMG your amazing!! thanks again. Your pastry recipes are worthy of awards!
You are incredibly sweet Carol! Thank you so much for your kind words and for reading
Oh wow, these look delectable! I need to find some pumpkin kisses!
Thanks Melanie! When you find the, make sure you stock up!
I wish I could have a bite. But still on diet, so I have to wait…
One bite would be okay, but who could stop at one
OMG!!! These look good enough to EAT!!!! You know, how sometimes you see something pretty, but it just does not taste that great’ well, these are both…..GORGEOUS and (I know) DELICIOUS!!!
Thank you Mary! They’ll be showing up in my kitchen many times this season!
These brownies are insane! I love all the layers. Those kisses sure are yummy!
Thanks Erin! I love the layers almost as much as the way they taste
These are stunning! That pumpkin ganache is brilliant. Love these so much!
Thank you Cassie!
Meghan, my heart skipped a beat when the image of these brownies appeared on the screen. If these don’t say “festive”, then I’ll bet those Pumpkin Ale Brown Butter Blondies will (can you tell where I’m headed next?)I love how conjuring up one recipe leads to another. Nice work!
Thank so much Brooks!
i love perfect the squares came out. the edges are flawless! these look delicious!
Thanks Julie! It’s all about a great knife!
Those are the best looking pumpkin kiss brownies I have seen yet! I love how crisp and clean your sides are! Color me impressed!!!
Thanks so much Jocelyn!
These are gorgeous
Thanks CJ!
These brownies are absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you Meagan!
WOWWWWW
These look heavenly!
Thank you Winnie!
These brownies look so beautiful! You did an amazing job with them!
These are gorgeous! They look so delicious. Can’t wait to get my hands on some of these pumpkin kisses!
Amazzzzing, There’s some serious knife skills right there. Beautiful..
Brilliant I say!!! And seriously, how do you get that top layer so perfect, mine would surely have imperfections:-) You recipe sounds wonderful, and looks soooooo beautiful! Hugs, Terra
This is a showstopper!! You’ve combined fall/Halloween and a chocolate dream in one recipe. It would be totally obscene to lick the screen but I’m tempted.
Wow – these are absolutely stunning! Really beautiful shot too. I’m a stickler for neatly sliced desserts so I really appreciate your attention to detail. Gorgeous!!
Take care,
.
Patricia
PS – this is my first time to your blog, but it certainly won’t be the last
Oh no! Now I can decide which to make, cookies or brownies! Great photos! Cant wait to try! Need more bags of these kisses!!
Oh my god, Meghan….these are gorgeous! Never mind that the brownies looks fudgey and perfect….but that ganache….and that glaze! These are just stunning! I can’t stop looking at them!!! : )
love the look of these. I featured them on my Friday Five over @Feed Your Soul – http://chefpeterskitchen.blogspot.com/2012/10/friday-five_12.html
[...] Brownies – Harried Housewife Blog Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies – Jo Cooks Pumpkin Kiss Brownies – Buttercream Blondie Pumpkin Tres Leches Cake – My Love for Cooking Pumpkin Cake with [...]
These look amazing! And they are cut so perfectly!
oh my cuteness. will definitely share this recipe!
These are absolutely GORGEOUS! I really love the presentation.
These look awesome and your photography is great.
These look amazing! So simple, but just right for Halloween. Thanks!
What lovely looking brownies, I would love to try these too but I know I would make a mess of it!
I made these on Sunday! So yummy! Thanks for the recipe. I was thinking if making the ganache with mint kisses when they come out for the Holidays.
Yay!! So happy you made them Angela! Thanks for the comment!
Meghan! Wow! Congrats on the top 9 and well deserved. These are stunning brownies. I love how your bakers mind works.
Those looks so cute and festive. I need to find some of these pumpkin kisses ASAP!
OMG…these are fantastic! I’m going to have to make them using every flavor of Kiss imaginable!!! Beautifully done!
What exactly is AP flour??
AP flour is all purpose flour
Ganache, brownies, kisses…this is dangerous and sooooo preeeettttyyyy!
Wow. These look seriously perfect. If I can find these kisses, I might just have to add these brownies to our Thanksgiving dessert buffet!
Wow, I agree these do look completely perfect!! I want 3 right now!