Here’s Why Pumpkin and Chocolate Belong Together

It might sound strange, but it tastes sooo good.

I’m a big fan of the idea of opposites attracting, especially when it comes to food. Salty potatoes chips and decadent chocolate ice cream? Yes, please! Fruity strawberries and briny feta cheese? Sign me up! Roasted turkey and tart Granny Smith apple slices? Don’t mind if I do! But perhaps more than any other, savory pumpkin and decadent chocolate is the one nontraditional flavor combination that is my all-time favorite. I’m pretty positive it’ll be yours too if you gave it a chance. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the six recipes that follow. Not only are they perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas, they’re also an amazing way to use up that can of pumpkin puree that’s been sitting in your pantry for a while.

Pumpkin Chocolate Slab Pie (pictured above)

You’re sure to experience love at first bite when you make this spectacular slab pie. With a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate wafer cookie crust and a fluffy dark chocolate and pumpkin puree filling, it’ll easily become your new favorite way to enjoy pumpkin pie. Best part of all — this pie yields 15 slices, so you’ll have more than enough to enjoy throughout the week.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Photo by: Teri Lyn Fisher

Teri Lyn Fisher

On the hunt for a delicious way to up your basic chocolate chip cookie recipe? Look no further than these delicious pumpkin-infused ones from Food Network Kitchen. On top of semisweet chocolate chips, you’ll use a whole can of pumpkin puree and a tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice to give them the perfect balance of sugar and spice in each and every morsel. Don’t forget to flatten your cookie dough before placing them on your baking sheet — doing so will ensure that each of your heavenly rounds get an ultra-cakey texture.

The blue team's Chocolate Biscuit Cups with Pumpkin Blood are displayed, as seen on Worst Cooks in America Halloween Special.

The blue team's Chocolate Biscuit Cups with Pumpkin Blood are displayed, as seen on Worst Cooks in America Halloween Special.

Photo by: Jason DeCrow

Jason DeCrow

Part fluffy muffin, part crispy biscuit, these gooey dessert cups from Carla Hall are the pure definition of a guilty pleasure. Not only are they filled with a mouthwatering nutmeg, cinnamon and pumpkin puree-infused cream cheese, they also feature a decadent cocoa crust that’ll taste absolutely amazing when you dunk it into a hot cup of coffee in the morning or a cold glass of milk at the end of the night.

How To Make Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies: Making Chocolate Cookies and Pumpkin Spice Filling then Combining to Create Whoopie Pies for Holiday Baking Championship Season 2 Eatertainment, as seen on Food Network.

How To Make Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies: Making Chocolate Cookies and Pumpkin Spice Filling then Combining to Create Whoopie Pies for Holiday Baking Championship Season 2 Eatertainment, as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: Marshall Troy ©2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Marshall Troy, 2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

If you’re new to the pumpkin-chocolate combo, these decadent whoopie pies are sure to win you over. We’re big fans of the creamy pumpkin spice filling — it’s so tasty that you’ll want to eat it by the spoon.

12_FudgyBrownieSlice_011.tif

Photo by: Con Poulos

Con Poulos

Just looking at this mesmerizing pie might be enough to convince you to make it. If you needed a bit more persuasion though, we have three words for you: chocolate chip brownies. That’s exactly what you’ll find swirled around this unique dessert — and trust us, the recipe yields more than enough brownie batter, so you’ll get a burst of decadent chocolate in each and every bite you take.

Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

02_CoverCakeA_012.tif

Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

Photo by: Con Poulos

Con Poulos

Whether you bake it so you can show it off on your Thanksgiving table or you make it as a fun weekend project, this towering pumpkin spice cake is sure to grab everyone’s attention. It’s stuffed with a luscious chocolate and chopped pecan icing to give each slice of cake a crunchy texture that’s reminiscent of your favorite candy bar.

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