Description
Celebrate Halloween with these festive Halloween Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies, featuring rich chocolate brownie base swirled with a vibrant orange cream cheese mixture and topped with fun spooky decorations. Perfectly moist and fudgy, these brownies make an eye-catching dessert for any Halloween party or treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Base
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 6 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Orange gel or food coloring (a few drops)
Optional Decorations
- Halloween sprinkles
- Candy eyes
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Make the Brownie Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract. Stir in the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder just until combined, being careful not to overmix. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, then mix until fully combined. Add a few drops of orange gel or food coloring and stir until the mixture achieves a bright Halloween orange hue.
- Create the Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of the orange cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter. Using a butter knife or skewer, gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the brownie batter to create a marbled effect, taking care not to overmix.
- Add Decorations: Sprinkle Halloween-themed sprinkles or place candy eyes on top if desired, to add a festive touch.
- Bake the Brownies: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to keep the brownies fudgy.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 16 squares. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant orange swirl.
- You can double the recipe to bake in a 9×13-inch pan for a larger batch.
- Store leftover brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
