Description

Halloween is one of my family’s favorite holidays, and each year, I try to make something special to celebrate. This time, I whipped up a batch of Halloween Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies, and let me just say, they were a hit! The combination of rich, fudgy chocolate and tangy cream cheese with a festive orange swirl made them disappear almost as quickly as the trick-or-treaters at the door. My kids couldn’t stop eating them, and even the adults went back for seconds (or thirds, but who’s counting?). Whether you’re throwing a Halloween party or just want to surprise your family with something fun and spooky, these brownies are the perfect treat. Trust me, you’ll be making them every year!

Ingredients

Scale

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious Halloween brownies:

For the Brownie Layer:

1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, melted
1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (100g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs
½ tsp salt

For the Cream Cheese Swirl:

8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Orange food coloring (optional, for a festive Halloween swirl)

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
Prepare the brownie batter. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Add the dry ingredients. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, and salt into the wet ingredients. Fold everything together until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Set aside.
Prepare the cream cheese swirl. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until fully combined. If you want to go for that Halloween pop of color, stir in a few drops of orange food coloring.
Layer the brownies. Pour about two-thirds of the brownie batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the brownie layer in dollops. Drop the remaining brownie batter over the top, then use a knife or toothpick to swirl the cream cheese and brownie batters together to create a marbled effect.
Bake. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before removing and slicing into squares.

Notes

Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth swirl. Cold cream cheese may lead to lumps, so let it sit out for a bit before using.

Don’t over-swirl the brownie and cream cheese layers. You want a pretty marble effect, not a completely blended mixture.

Let them cool completely before slicing. It might be tempting to dig in right away, but waiting helps the brownies set and makes for cleaner slices.

Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. A few moist crumbs are fine, but you don’t want wet batter on the toothpick.

Enhance the flavor with espresso powder. Adding a teaspoon of espresso powder to the brownie batter will intensify the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 16
Calories: 250