Description
These festive Halloween Swirl Cream Cheese Brownies are rich, fudgy, and perfect for spooky celebrations! The dark cocoa brownie base pairs beautifully with the creamy, orange-colored cream cheese swirl, making them a delicious and eye-catching treat for Halloween.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Brownie Layer:
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Orange food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or foil, and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Make the Brownie Layer: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
In a separate small bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula until just combined.
Reserve ¼ cup of the brownie batter for the swirl. Pour the remaining batter into the prepared baking dish. - Make the Cream Cheese Layer: In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Add orange food coloring and stir until evenly combined. - Assemble and Swirl: Gently spread the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter in the baking dish.
Drop tablespoons of the reserved brownie batter on top of the cream cheese layer, then use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the two layers together, creating a marbled effect. - Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the brownies are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Remove from the oven and let the brownies cool completely in the pan before slicing.
Notes
- Storage: Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Wrap individual brownie pieces in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Double the Recipe: To double the recipe, use a 9×13-inch baking pan and increase the baking time as needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
