Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (2024)

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see our disclosure policy.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Bake someone happy with these delicious, cake-like Butternut Squash Brownies. They freeze beautifully and are perfect with a glass of milk.

These are super delicious with Chocolate Frosting Without Powdered Sugar or top squares with Sweet Cream Cheese and Homemade Chocolate Syrup.

this …

Want to save this post?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I’ll send you budget recipes and money-saving tips every week!

What happens when you have too much squash? Well, one becomessquash pureeto be frozen for later. Another gets baked into pies. A third proves himself an overachiever and becomes cake, muffins, soup, and cinnamon rolls. And the last? Well, she becomes brownies.

Butternut Squash Brownies.What better way to combine the vitamins of orange squash with the deliciousness of chocolate?!

I’ve made these brownies manytimes so far, and they are always a hit. Since there’s no oil—the squash stands in for the oil—the texture is more cake-like than a regular brownie recipe, but the flavor is rich and the cake incredibly moist. You’ll want to make butternut squash brownies a regular event in your fall calendar!

Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (2)

Can I use something besides butternut squash?

You can use pumpkin puree or even applesauce instead of the butternut squash puree in this recipe. Mashed banana would also work.

How do I make the puree for these brownies?

To prepare the butternut puree, follow the tutorial here for making homemade butternut squash puree.

Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (3)

Ingredients for butternut squash brownies

  • Butternut squash puree
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Granulated sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Cinnamon
  • Chocolate chips

How to make these brownies

Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (4)
Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (5)
Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (6)
Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (7)
Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (8)
Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (9)
Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (10)
Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (11)
Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (12)

Can I make these gluten free?

You definitely can. I haven’t tested them with anything other than AP flour, but feel free to swap out your regular flour for your go-to gluten free flour.

How long will these butternut squash brownies last?

Promptly store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days—if folks don’t eat them up before then!

Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (13)

Can I make these brownies ahead of time?

I love making my own baking mixes. This allows me to have my cake and eat it whenever I want!

To make this brownie recipe as a mix:

  • Label the bag with the name of the recipe, the baking instructions, and what wet ingredients need to be added later (just like a commercial brownie mix!)
  • Add the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and chocolate chips to the bag.
  • Press out any air in the bag and seal it carefully. Store the mix in a cool, dry place until ready to use.

How do I freeze these brownies?

To freeze, you can do one of two things:

  1. Wrap the brownies in plastic wrap and store them in a ziptop freezer bag.
  2. Layer the brownies between sheets of deli wrap or parchment paper in an airtight container.

The brownies will be good in the freezer for at least 2 months.

Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (14)
Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (15)

How to make this good and cheap:

Here are some of the strategies you canuse to make this recipe more economical:

  • Stock up on ingredients when they are on sale.When I find regular kitchen staples on sale, I buy a lot. I’m currentlyusing a price book to track pricesand that’s saving me money. For this recipe, keeping an eye on the price of flour and cocoacan help keep the price down.
  • Freezing produce for later. When it rains squash, it pours. Take advantage of a seasonal glut and puree squash to freeze for later.

How Imake this recipe easy:

This recipe really couldn’t be easier than it is, but having the right kitchen tools can really make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable. Over time, I’ve honed my collection so that they are perfect for my needs.

Here are the tools that I use for this recipe:

Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (16)

Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (17)If you prepare this recipe, be sure to share a picture on social media and hashtag it #GOODCHEAPEATS. I can't wait to see what you cook up!

Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (18)

Butternut Squash Brownies

Bake someone happy with these delicious, cake-like Butternut Squash Brownies. They freeze beautifully and are perfect with a glass of milk.

4.50 from 16 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 189kcal

Author: Jessica Fisher

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butternut squash puree see recipe note, can also use pumpkin puree
  • 2 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease an 8-inch square or 7×11-inch pan with nonstick spray or line it with parchment paper.

  • In a large mixing bowl combine the puree, eggs, and vanilla.

  • In a second bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and chocolate chips.

  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry and fold gently just until combined. Do not overmix.

  • Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until baked through. Brownies baked in the 7×11-inch pan will be done in a shorter cooking time than the 8-inch square.

  • Cool on a rack before cutting into squares and serving.

Notes

To prepare butternut puree:follow these instructions.

This recipe can be made as a mix: Combine the dry ingredients in a ziptop freezer bag and label with baking instructions and what wet ingredients to add later.

To freeze:Either wrap the brownies in plastic wrap and place them in a ziptop freezer bag OR layer them between sheets of deli wrap or parchment paper in an airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Promptly store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutritional values are approximate and based on 1/12 the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 1662IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Tell us what you think! Your reviews help us develop better recipes and give newcomers the confidence to try your favorites. Scroll down to leave a starred comment.

This post was originally published on February 8, 2012. It has been updated for content and clarity.

Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (19)
Butternut Squash Brownies Recipe - Good Cheap Eats Budget Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you use milk instead of water in brownie mix? ›

One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.

How do you upgrade box brownies? ›

Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder. Throw in a handful of nuts—pecans, walnuts, macadamia, whatever you have on hand. Scoop in a palmful of dried or frozen fruit. Add an extra splash of the top-shelf vanilla extract, or a dab of vanilla paste, or a dash of vanilla powder, to the batter.

What can I add to brownie mix to make it better? ›

Adding one large egg plus an extra egg yolk gives brownies an ultra fudgy texture. Chocolate Chips – Even if your brownie mix contains chocolate, plan to add chocolate chips. The additional sugar from the chocolate chips creates a shiny, crackly top as the brownies bake.

Can I use butter instead of oil in brownies? ›

You can absolutely substitute butter for the vegetable oil. Use the same quantity specified in the directions (for example, if it calls for 1/3 cup of oil, use 5 1/3 tablespoons of butter). Melt it down, then let it cool a bit. You might not ever go back to oil!

What does adding an extra egg to brownie mix do? ›

The extra egg will make your brownies less fudgy and more cake-like. This is a personal preference, so if you like your brownies to have a cake-y texture, go ahead and add the extra egg, but be sure to follow the package instructions for other substitutions or changes to cook time.

Do brownies taste better with milk or water? ›

Brownie recipes traditionally call for water as it serves as a neutral liquid that hydrates the dry ingredients. However, using milk instead of water can impart a creamier texture and richer flavor to your brownies. The milk's fat content adds a smoothness that water cannot provide, resulting in a more indulgent treat.

How to pimp Betty Crocker brownie mix? ›

Add a Swirl

Dollops of decadent fillings can add major visual impact and rich flavor to a regular ol' pan of brownies. Cheesecake marbling is a natural fit, but peanut butter, cookie butter, caramel and marshmallow swirls are equally delicious.

Does boxed brownie mix need eggs? ›

Is it okay to make brownies without eggs? Without eggs, baked goods will become a little thinner and not rise as much in the oven. As long as you replace the moisture from the egg with milk, banana or applesauce, you can make brownies without eggs. And yes, this recipe makes thinner brownies than normal.

What can I substitute for oil in brownies? ›

If you love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, peanut butter might just be the best vegetable oil substitute for you. For a lighter brownie, just about half as much peanut butter. For a chewy fudgy brownie, use just as much peanut butter as the recipe calls for vegetable oil.

How to jazz up brownies? ›

Add chopped chunks of chocolate to the batter. The chocolate chips that come with the box are too small, and they usually just melt and dissolve in the brownie. Large chunks will be melted at first, but once the brownie cools down they have a wonderful bite to them.

Should you chill brownie mix before baking? ›

Recently, as I was reading through the comments on all our brownie recipes, one suggestion in particular stood out: Refrigerate the batter overnight for a richer, chewier brownie.

Can you mix brownie mix too much? ›

Over mixing brownie leads to too much air incorporation and can leave your brownie looking and tasting like a chocolate cake. Under mixing will lead to insufficient combination of your core ingredients and so the brownie texture will not form to perfection.

What does olive oil do to brownies? ›

It makes them richer, adds a fudge-like texture, and enhances the flavor of the chocolate. In addition, it's an incredible preservative, so the brownies stay moist for longer! Olive oil has been gaining popularity in recent years as a substitute for butter and other vegetable oils in baked goods.

What happens if I use butter instead of vegetable oil in brownies? ›

Oil Brownies: These were chewier with crunchier edges and a crunchier topping. They were more matte on top with a far less crinkly shiny brownie 'skin. ' They tasted more like box mix brownies. Butter Brownies: These were much fudgier, softer, and had a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

How do you make boxed brownies taste better? ›

Try swirling in half of a cup of strawberry jam or caramel sauce into the batter. To do this, once you have your batter into your pan, add two to three spoonfuls of jam or sauce in separate corners. Then, swirl your spoon all around to mix that delicious flavor into each bite.

What happens if you substitute milk for water in a cake mix? ›

Baking tip #2: adding milk to your box cake mix in place of water adds a dense texture to your dessert leaving it moist and flavorful like a homemade cake. Or, if you prefer, you can add buttermilk, giving your cake a tangy flavor to balance out the sweetness.

What happens if I use milk instead of water in a cake? ›

Most box cake recipes will tell you to add water to the mix. Instead, try adding milk using the same proportions. This will make the cake richer and creamier because it ups the fat content. You can even use buttermilk here for a pleasant tang.

What happens if I substitute milk for water in a cake recipe? ›

Yes, you can substitute milk for water when preparing SuperMoist cake mixes, however, the cake may be slightly drier than if prepared with water. Also keep in mind that milk will add calories and change the nutrition slightly.

Can milk replace eggs in brownies? ›

You can use 4 tablespoons of milk, ¼ cup of mashed banana or ¼ cup of unsweetened apple sauce in place of each egg required in a box brownie mix.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 6145

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.