Pumpkin Creamcheese Swirl Brownies

Yesterday was Heritage Day in South Africa, a.k.a National Braai Day. And while we had succulent lamb chops, chicken, buttery 'mielies' (corn on the cob) and 'braaibroodjies' (grilled tomato, cheese & onion sandwiches) on the fire like any respectable South African should, we also indulged in a dessert from a completely different culture than ours. 'Cause you know we're all global-minded like that.

These pumpkin brownies are American through and through and more specifically oozing Southern charm. I think brownies are a bit of a misnomer, as these have a more cakey texture, but believe me, that doesn't detract from their yumminess. TheHusband and the in-laws (and myself!) gobbled them up with gusto and we now have only about 6 left. Which I'm sure won't last long either.

Pumpkin Creamcheese Swirl Brownies   

(Adapted from 90/10)       

Makes 24 squares

6 tbsp butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin

1 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

a pinch of salt

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground allspice

1/4 tsp ground ginger

For creamcheese swirl:

120g (4 oz) low-fat creamcheese

1/4 cup icing (confectioner's) sugar 

1 egg

1. Preheat oven to 180C and grease a 27 x17cm ovenproof dish with butter.

2. Beat butter, sugar and eggs together until light and creamy. Add pumpkin puree and vanilla essence and stir to incorporate.

3. Add flour, baking powder, bicarb and spices to the pumpkin mixture and mix well. Pour into the prepared dish.

4. For the creamcheese swirl: Beat creamcheese, icing sugar and egg until well-combined. Spoon dollops onto the pumpkin mixture and swirl into the pumpkin mixture using the tail end of a spoon or any other long thin object.

5. Bake for 35 minutes and allow to cool down before cutting into squares and serving.

Nutritional info (per serving): Calories 112.7, Total fat 6.1 g, Saturated fat 3.6 g, Polyunsaturated fat 0.3 g, Monounsaturated fat 1.7 g, Cholesterol 42.2 mg, Sodium 136.8 mg, Potassium 73.9 mg, Total carbohydrate 12.4 g, Dietary fiber 0.3 g, Sugars 1.4 g, Protein 2.3 g