Description
Ghoulishly delightful Halloween Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies blend rich chocolate with tangy cream cheese for a spooky seasonal treat. Dark chocolate base and marbled cream cheese topping create a wickedly delicious dessert perfect for haunting Halloween celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 12 cup all-purpose flour
- 12 cup Hersheys Special Dark cocoa powder
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese (room temperature)
Secondary Ingredients:
- 13 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 14 cup granulated sugar
- 12 teaspoon salt
- 14 teaspoon baking powder
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 large egg (for cream cheese layer)
- 12 teaspoon vanilla extract (for cream cheese layer)
- Orange food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8 inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper and applying non-stick spray for easy removal.
- In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the dry ingredients for the brownie base, ensuring an even distribution of sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
- Whisk the wet ingredients in a separate bowl, blending eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well incorporated. Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, creating a smooth brownie batter. Set aside a small portion of the batter for later decoration.
- Create the cream cheese layer by whisking cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until silky and uniform. Introduce orange food coloring to transform the mixture into a vibrant Halloween-themed swirl.
- Evenly distribute the primary brownie batter across the prepared baking dish, ensuring a consistent layer that reaches all corners.
- Carefully spread the orange-tinted cream cheese mixture over the brownie base, creating an eye-catching contrast.
- Using the reserved brownie batter, drop small dollops strategically across the cream cheese surface. Drag a knife through the layers to generate an intricate marbled pattern.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The brownies are ready when the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out with minimal moist crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and allow the brownies to cool completely at room temperature before cutting into festive Halloween-themed squares.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth blending and easier swirling.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant orange color without altering batter consistency.
- Avoid overmixing the swirl to maintain distinct marbled patterns and prevent muddying colors.
- Cool brownies completely to achieve clean, precise cutting and set cream cheese layer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 194 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 56 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 43 mg