Where pumpkin, peanut, and chocolate combine! Pumpkin Peanut Butter Layer Brownies will make you rethink your definition of brownie. These gluten-free and vegan brownies are the healthiest of holiday indulgences, you won’t have to stop at one!
Or shall I say “breakfast brownies” 😉 That’s right, another dessert that can double as breakfast too (it did for me!) When I tell you they can be breakfast, that’s your signal that these are “healthy”. You know on Strength and Sunshine that I do not post sugar, fat, calories filled foods. That’s not me. But that doesn’t mean I can’t produce a killer treat either!But enough of that. I’m too excited about these brownies to ramble!
MY LATEST VIDEOSI actually had the hardest time thinking of a name for these. I wasn’t really sure (still not sure) what exactly this treat is. I was told they look like brownies, yet I felt they were more of a breakfast cake, at least taste and nutrition-wise. I kept agonizing over it for a few weeks and finally came to the consensus that yes, these should be brownies. But then came deciding on an actual title for these brownies. What would be the most enticing combination of words?
You can see that the most important aspect of these brownies is that pumpkin peanut butter “layer”. More of a frosting texture, if you will. Soft nutty goodness with a taste of Fall. (Not to forget studded with chocolate chips too!) So layer? Frosting? Cream? Just pure greatness? Ah! It was really making me go crazy. However, the flavors were much more important to hit on in the title. Pumpkin and peanut butter…well and chocolate, but I let that at brownie.
Secret to the top layer? There isn’t any actual peanut butter. Yes, you guessed it! Peanut flour! That’s how I kept these from being to heavy. To still have that creamy texture of peanut butter though, the pumpkin saved the day. Pumpkin puree, peanut flour, it’s the new arranged marriage! Pumpkin may have a bit too many marriages now though. At least cinnamon is still in this recipe so…pumpkin isn’t having a total affair 😉
 Let me change subject for a second to talk about the proper way to eat a brownie. Some people eat them with their bare hands, others use a fork, but me? I use a spoon! A spoon is a must to get that perfect soft scoop of moist chocolate soft cake, held perfectly in the indentation of the curved spoon. A brownie throne if you will. Another important brownie-eating condition to take into consideration is temperature.
No room temperature brownies here! They either need to be warmed in the microwave or cold/semi-frozen from the freezer! For breakfast one morning, I may have heated a square up in the microwave (in a bowl) and drizzled on some cocoa stevia syrup…then devoured with a spoon. It was rather heavenly might I add! (Don’t judge!) It was pretty much a moment of bliss, maybe even as blissful as these pancakes!
But if you’re not comfortable with eating something like this for breakfast, I won’t get mad. As long as you promise you’ll eat them for dessert 😉 Just some point during the day, grab a bowl, spoon, and a big moist pumpkin-peanut-chocolate square. Eat it slowly with your eyes closed and go on a floating pumpkin journey to heaven. Stay there awhile. It’s a nice place 🙂
Aren’t you glad I didn’t stop yet with the pumpkin goodies? You were warned that I wasn’t stopping with cookies or doughnuts. I’ve never made this many pumpkin things during the season before. For some reason, it was just too much fun to stop! Pumpkin isn’t my favorite thing about the season either. I enjoy pumpkin, but it isn’t the end-all-be-all for me. That may have changed though. At least this year going forward. And with this recipe. It will convert any indifferent pumpkin eater into an all out pumpkin lover!
Pumpkin Peanut Butter Layer Brownies
- Brownie Base:
- 1 Cup Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour
- ½ Cup Pumpkin Flour
- ½ Cup Quinoa Flakes
- ½ Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 Cup Pure Pumpkin Puree
- 1 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1 Tsp Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
- ½ Tsp Pure Bourbon Madagascar Vanilla Extract
- 1 Flax Egg (1 TB Milled Flax Seed + 3 TB Water)
- 2 TB Stevia Syrup
- 1 Cup Unsweetened Cashew Milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)
- Pumpkin Peanut Butter Layer:
- ½ Cup Peanut Flour
- ½ Cup Pure Pumpkin Puree
- ½ Tsp Cinnamon
- 1 TB Stevia Syrup
- 1 TB Unsweetened Cashew Milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)
- 2 TB Bittersweet Chocolate Chips (optional...but not really)
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a small bowl, prepare the flax egg and set aside for 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the brownie base ingredients, as well as the prepared flax egg, and stir to combine for a smooth batter.
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine all the pumpkin peanut butter layer ingredients and stir to combine for a thick frosting texture.
- Now grease an 8x8 baking pan with some coconut oil and pour in the brownie base. Distribute it evenly in the pan and smooth the top.
- Now layer on the pumpkin peanut butter mixture as evenly and smoothly as you can over the top of the brownie base. Sprinkle on the chocolate chips if desired.
- Bake the brownies in the oven for 30 minutes. Remove and allow to cool completely before slicing.
They can be stored in a covered container for a few days or sliced and frozen.
 
The last few months have really made me LOVE baking. Well, love may be a strong word, but I worked hard on my baking skills this summer. I have cooking down, but baking was always a bit trickier. I have so many fabulous baked goods to share soon enough too. And they best part about baking, besides the end result (usually), is the smell of that baking process! O my! The smell of these brownies. Remember how I HATE the smell of classic brownies in the oven? Well these don’t smell like that. These smell like pumpkin+peanut+love. Can’t describe it, so that just means you MUST make them…NOW!
So tell me:
+ How do you eat your brownies?
+ Just by the recipe, are these more brownie or cake?
*Recipe linking up for the week! Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeOfTheWeek,#StrangeButGood, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Healthy Vegan Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Lena’s Tasty Tuesdays, Meatless Mondays, Waste Not Want Not!*
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Wow these sounds so awesome!! Definitely saving this recipe for future GF baking!
Woohoo! They will NOT disappoint!
These look delicious! I know a couple of girls who are going to be soooo excited when I make this for them!
Hahahaha 😉
Rebecca, just wanted to pop in and let you know that I’m featuring your brownies on Savoring Saturdays this weekend. It seems like I’m featuring you every week, haha! Keep the recipes coming, and thank you for always linking up!
Thanks Dear!
This looks so good! But I’m not sure I could reprodruce it here. I’ve never seen pumpkin flour around and neither the puree, although the latter one I could just do myself.
You could just use more of one of the other “flours” 😉
I eat my brownies by the fist full and it doesn’t matter what you call them they look delicious!
Hahahaha, that’s my girl 😉
What a great idea to use peanut flour instead of peanut butter! I bet it lightened up the flavor a bit. 🙂
Just the calories 😉
Hi Rebecca,
Just in time for our holiday parties and dinners! Who can resist these delectable ingredients.
Thanks!
Eating it with a spoon, huh? I’ll give it a shot.
“But if you’re not comfortable with eating something like this for breakfast, I won’t get mad.”
Ha! I’ll admit that it’s not my normal breakfast fare, but I have no qualms about trying them They sound delicious!
I’m sharing & pinning!
I promise it will change your breakfast-game!
Sounds like a great combination!
Thank you!
Brownies for breakfast?!! Heck yeah! I’ve been eating peanut butter chocolate chip cookies for pre-workout morning snacks and I think it’s one of the best things ever 😉 Thanks for sharing your brownies on WNWNW, I’m featuring them this week.
I totally agree there! I think those are morning fuel/ pre-workout essentials!
Interesting! I had never even heard of pumpkin flour or peanut flour before. These look and sound delicious though!
Guess it’s time to start doing some food-study 😉
Oh wow that sounds absolutely delicious – and so festive!
I love pumpkin, I love peanut butter, and I love brownies but I’ve never had them all together before. No idea why, but that is about to change!!
All together is the best new way to enjoy them 😉
Pumpkin AND brownie at once?! I’m pretty sure this needs to happen.
They do 😉
Yea, that’s how I feel!….About both those things 😉
YUM! I am all over these, they look amazing!
Thank you so much Mandi!
Now that’s my kind of breakfast! They look amazing, I could have one right now 🙂
One or….5 😉
Shhh … 😉
These look great! Definitely my kind of brownie – pinned!
For sure 😉 Thanks!
Very cool, Rebecca! I’ve never used peanut flour or quinoa flakes and I like that you were able to incorporate both here. Pumpkin and chocolate go so well together, don’t you think? It’s one of my absolute favourite combinations.
It’s one of my new favorites combos for sure!
What a great flavor combination for your awesome bars!
Thank you!
Pumpkin AND peanut butter?! My two favorite things!
For sure 😉
Yummmmm! These look amazing! I love adding different topping, mix ins or swirls to brownies – it takes an already delicious treat and makes it even more amazing!
I had originally thought about doing more of a swirl with the pumpkin PB, but the mixture was thick and so much more “frosting” like, so I went with the layer 😉
I haven’t had brownies in many moons–these look amazing! <3
These are needed then!
Wow these look great!
Thanks!
This looks absolutely delish!
Thanks!
I made something like this before last year but yours layered wayyy better than mine! haha. so excited that these can also be eaten for breakfast. mm!!
Anything I can make double as a breakfast, I’ll do it!
Hi Rebecca,
Wow this pumpkin cake sounds wonderful and filled with such healthy ingredients. I love snacks or anything that has pumpkin in it.
Thank you so much!
Loving the look of these and plan to try making them this weekend, with coconut milk (for this grain AND tree nut free girl!) Such pretty photos too.
And they will be fantastic 😉 Thanks Alyssa!
These brownies look amazing! I love the idea of pumpkin flour!
Thank you!
Yum! The perfect brownies for fall! 🙂
Yes they are 😉
I know what you mean about naming recipes! It is becoming increasingly difficult for me as I have so many!! These look fabulous!
I know!!! I just want everyone to eat it themselves and then they decide 😛
I am so buying pumpkin flour!
I bet.
These sound yummy Rebecca, and I’m always down with dessert for breakfast 😉 I absolutely love chocolate & pumpkin, and pumpkin & pb, but never merged the three. What a great idea!
Just makes it triple the awesome!
Looks Amazing!!!!
Thank you!
These look and sound amazing! I bet they taste amazing, too! 🙂
You “bet”? 😛
Looks yummy! Wish I could eat peanuts.
Try some fine almond flour!
Cold as could be – so yes, I agree straight from the fridge is ideal – is the perfect way to eat brownies. And spoonable is the best texture though not handy in every setting ;).
Just invite me over for one of these because I can’t get my hands on more than half of the ingredients :D.
Well, no, these are like “messy” soup-spooning, I just mean…a spoon give you the perfect bite! Hahaha!
I think I should throw a big Halloween party and include all these pumpkeny treats I’ve been whipping up! A Pumpkin party potluck!
I’m not invited to any Halloween parties yet – because they’re not happening over here – so a big YES to that idea!
We can be Halloween rejects 😉 I have nothing planned yet either, hahahaha!
I’m of the opinion that a little peanut butter makes everything taste better!!
I agree 😉
These look amazing, and any dessert that can also be breakfast is a winner!
I’d say so! Thanks!
These look lovely. Breakfast cakes are the best!
Ah, so you vote cake!
Oh wow – these look amazing! Love anything with pumpkin and these look lush – and healthy too! x
Yes! Thank you!
Such a fan of the pumpkin and peanut butter combo. Now I just have to get my hands on some pumpkin flour to try. Such a great treat all around:)
You can just use more of one of the other flours and you’ll be good to go 😉
Oh man, you had me at chocolate, wait no, peanut butter, wait no, pumpkin! These brownies have my taste buds dancing 🙂 And for breakfast? Hell yes!
Hahaha, those were my exact thoughts about this all as well 😉
Great minds think alike 😉
These look heavenly! Thank you for posting! Pinned and saved 🙂
Thanks!
Yes, please!!! I want it all!
Perfect recipe, Rebecca, pumpkin and peanut in a brownie….yumm! You are a genius!
Haha, I was pretty proud of this crazy creation 😉 Thanks Evi!
Sounds delicious. I like the idea of layering the pumpkin and peanut butter – yum.
That’s the point!
These look so good! I have to admit that it’s pretty rare that gluten free baked goods do it for me, but these totally do. Pinned!
These will have you head-over-heals! Promise 😉
Oh wow -gorgeous!
Thanks!
Oh my god yes! I WANT!
Haha 😉
YUM! I’ve never thought about the combination of pumpkin and peanut butter, but I don’t know why not. It sounds like a match made in heaven!
Anything with PB is a perfect match 😉
Pumpkin+peanut butter+chocolate is such a winning combo! Awesome use of peanut flour!
I thought so too 😉 Getting crafty!
I love the idea of pumpkin flour! Leave it to you to be so creative, Rebecca!
Thanks!
These look insane!!! Will definitely have to try them out, fab recipe!
Thank you so much Ciara!
This looks amazing. I love this time of year as I love everything pumpkin!
Haha, pumpkin does make it a good season!
Mmm! I’ve never tried pumpkin and peanut butter together, but, as a lover of all things nut butter, I’m sure that it’s downright amazing! Plus, chocolate never hurt a recipe ;D
I agree with both those statements 😉
That is a perfect combination! I love the idea of layering pumpkin & peanut butter.
It’s one magic layer 😉
I’m given the job of making a dessert for Thanksgiving and always try to find something with a fall flair – these look so great and I like how it’s a different spin on pumpkin with the PB aspect. And brownies are my absolute FAVE!
If you make these…you will blow everyone away! They will have A LOT to be thankful for 😉 Haha!
You completely outdid yourself with this recipe, Rebecca. I can’t wait to make these! And the fact that I can eat them for breakfast just makes them that much better 😀
Right!? Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snack! Maybe be over kill, but…. 😉
Thanks dear!
I haven’t tried pumpkin with peanut butter before but it has to be good!
Anything with the PB!
Hi! These sound really good, and I’m not even a vegan. LOL I have a crazy long name idea for ya, if you’re still wondering. 🙂 Chocolate Chip Punk-Nutter Breakfast Brownie Bars! Whew! Say that 10 times fast! LOL Have a great day!
I would so name them that….if only I didn’t care about that damn SEO! Hahahaha!
I have always been a fan of pumpkin and chocolate but have never tried pumpkin and peanut butter. Loving the sound of it!
You will be a fan of this too…trust me 😉
These look amazing! Make sure to tag them on IG with #pumpkinweek2015 because DAMN
O damn….I just posted! I’ll edit and add that tag 😉
Wow! These look amazing! Brownies are my favorite so I love finding fun variations!!
Brownie love!!! You will love these then for sure!
Sounds delicious! I will have to bookmark this one to make the next time I have my family over.
You should just make ti today…since it’s Monday 😉 Hahaha!
These look so good I cant wait to try this out!
Thank you!!
I don’t care what they are called, I just want them in my belly now 😀 These look super amazing and I imagine the pumpkin and peanut butter to be an awesome combo 🙂
Yes!! Thank you! It kinda is a magic combo!
Ummm yes send me your brownies! I love that you use a spoon, I often just pick them up and eat them with my hands (I know bu omg so yummy I can’t help it). Semi frozen with some coconut whipped cream sounds amazing though! Sign me up for 2!!
Gotta keep it classy with a spoon 😉 No hands! Thanks Sam!!!!
Pumpkin and peanut butter I’m there… the chocolate chips are just the icing on the “cake”!!
Hahaha 😉 So it IS cake!
YUM! These look fantastic and I love that pb and pumpkin are having a love affair. Do you think I could make these with PB2 instead of peanut flour?
Pb2 has added sugar, but that’s up to you.
Wow! These look yummy! keep the desserts coming!
Haha, thanks!
Everything about these looks amazing! x
Thank you!
These brownies look fabulously scrumptious!
Thank you!
Wow these look amazing! Never would have thought to combine pumpkin and PB!
The 2 Ps make a team 😉
OMG, this looks amazing. Difficult to find some of the ingredients here in France though…. the US has a lot more choice.
Ah, well thank you!
Wow Rebecca, you outdid yourself with this dessert! I think you should be known as the gluten-free flour queen 🙂
**bows** Thank you, thank you 😉
AMAZING!!!! MUST TRY STAT!
Haha, thank you!
You had me at pumpkin PB. Loving the use of peanut flour in these! And I agree, spoons are the best 😉
Yay! A spoon eater! We should eat everything with a spoon!
Well don’t these look scrumpdiddlyumptious (no idea how to actually spell that! ):P
Close enough 😉 Haha!
ooh this looks fabulous! I dont’ know about breakfast but looks super yummy for a snack or dessert.
Breakfast for me! Nothing I wouldn’t normally eat anyway!
I knew it!!!! I guessed nut butter, and even though it’s technically nut flour it’s close enough!!!!! And a lovely secret ingredient it is, these look divine <3 I'm all about the chilly brownies too, although I like mine at fridge temp, but it makes them so solid and fudgey and possibly better than a warm one. And I'm very intrigued by the spoon method… I'm usually a bite-in kinda person (no utensils), but I'm open to new brownie ways 😉
And the first sentence of the last little paragraph makes me VERY happy to hear!!! <3
Try it was a spoon!!!! It’s like…a solidified chia pudding 😛 Well no, it’s wayyyy better than that!
These sound really good! I am a sucker for peanut butter and chocolate. Pumpkin adds a yummy new flavor!
3-dimensional goodness 😉 Thanks Marye!
My kids use plastic spoons for brownies! These look awesome and a brownie that can double as breakfast is pretty special 🙂
I know what treat you should make for them then 😉
pumpkin and pb are such a great combo! I don’t know why more people don’t use it! Pinned! 🙂
Right!? A hidden treasure perhaps 😉
OH————MY——————-GAH. Those look so amazing! I know for a fact that mine would never be so pretty, but that will not stop me from making and enjoying them.
Well I had to make sure they were super pretty for their glamour shot 😉 Next time I don’t think I’ll be taking my time…I’ll just want to eat them!
Oh yes, this is my kinda recipe! I have been LOVING on dark chocolate recently….and justifying it with saying that its good for you 😉 This sounds like the perfect combination of sweet and dark chocolatey from the bittersweet chocolate!
O it is! It’s just all the best flavors with deep chocolate…heaven in every bite! Thanks Tina!