Cream Cheese Halloween Brownies are rich and chocolatey brownies that are topped with spookily colored cream cheese swirls. These rich brownies are perfect for Halloween!
Do you host Halloween parties? Every year we have a bonfire for the kids in our yard and it’s always so much fun. All the neighbors come over, and hang out.
Everyone brings a snack to share, and then after an hour or so, we load all the neighborhood kids up onto a trailer and they go door to door trick or treat.
I always make sure to make some Halloween treats, candy corn for the kids (made with homemade caramel), and these fun Cream Cheese Halloween Brownies.
I remember making a lot of awesome Halloween treats when I was younger with my mom. My mom never let a holiday go by that she didn’t whip up at least a few festive treats. That tradition has stuck with me. I love making my own Halloween treats.
It’s already time to start thinking about costumes for the kids this year, and you can never be too prepared when it comes to good treats for parties.
These cream cheese Halloween brownies are sure to be a hit with a spooktacular chocolate center that is topped with the colorful cream cheese swirl.
How to cut brownies in even squares
I have some tips to help you cut your Halloween brownies recipe into even squares. First, if you line your baking sheet with parchment paper instead of just using cooking spray, you can gently lift the entire pan of brownies out at one time.
Once you lift the brownies out, you can place them on a cutting board, then cut your brownies into even squares.
How do I check brownies for doneness
To check brownies for doneness, you will gently press the top of the center peak with your finger. If it springs back and feels soft, then they are done. Be careful not to over bake your Halloween brownies or they will become dry and crumbly.
You want them to be moist and fudgy just like this recipe.
Another way to test your brownies for doneness is to use a toothpick. When your brownies are completely cooked the toothpick is inserted into the center of the brownies and it should come out clean.
What size pan do I need to make these brownies
To make this Halloween brownie recipe you will need a 9×13 baking pan. It doesn’t matter if you use metal or glass, as long as your pan is 9×13. If your pan is glass, you may need to add 2 to 4 minutes to your baking time.
How do I store these Halloween brownies
You can store Halloween brownies covered on the counter for up to 2 days. You can also cover these brownies and keep them in your refrigerator for 5 days. To prevent your brownies from drying out, be sure to keep them covered.
Can I double this recipe
You sure can! Just make sure that you use two 9×13 baking pans. You don’t need to adjust the cook time, since you are using two different pans.
Can I freeze this Halloween brownie recipe
You can freeze Halloween brownies. Because these are such a dense brownie, they hold up really well to being frozen. Thawing them is actually my preferred method of eating them (thawed or frozen). Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator and serve at room temperature.
What can I add to these for more Halloween Brownies Ideas
There are so many fun things you can add to these Halloween brownies. You had me at chocolate!
You could use white chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or butterscotch chips in place of the 8 ounces of semisweet chocolate, or you could even be more creative and toss in a mixture of all of the above. This recipe is great for you to take and make the brownies your own.
Can I use a box of brownie mix instead
I would never tell you that you can’t use a box of brownie mix! If you love boxed brownies, then by all means use them. The only thing I will say is that these Halloween brownie recipes are so much better than boxed brownies.
What kind of food coloring should I use
I prefer gel food coloring, because it’s in a tube and is much easier to squeeze out the amount that I want. I also like using different colors in Halloween brownies for fun seasonal patterns or stripes (like pumpkin pie).
Because these brownies are dark, colors like orange and purple will show up best.
Can I leave off the food coloring on this recipe
You sure can! Just omit the food coloring and your Halloween brownies will still be delicious. These brownies will still have the cream cheese swirl on the top and make for some excellent cream cheese brownies.
How do you get that swirl on top of the Halloween brownies
After adding the colored cream cheese mixture to the top of my brownies, then I swirled them gently with a butter knife to make a pretty swirl pattern.
Be sure to spread out your spoonful of cream cheese mixture, when you are topping your brownies so that you have plenty of room to swirl them through the tops of your brownies.
Ingredients for Halloween Brownies
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs plus 2 yolks
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 (8 ounce blocks) softened cream cheese
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- Neon green, orange, purple food coloring
How to make Halloween Brownies
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or foil and spray with cooking spray.
Step 3. Combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, whole eggs and yolks in a large bowl.
Step 4. Melt the butter and chocolate in a double boiler, then whisk together until fully combined.
Step 5. Whisk in the vegetable oil.
Step 6. Pour the chocolate mixture into the sugar mixture and mix until fully combined.
Step 7. Gently fold in the flour and cocoa.
Step 8. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan.
Step 9. In a medium mixing bowl with a hand mixer blend the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add in the 2 eggs and blend again.
Step 10. Separate the cream cheese mixture into 3 bowls and color each one a different color.
Step 11. Place a spoonful of the colored cream cheese mixture all over the top of the brownie batter.
Step 12. Run a knife through the cream cheese and batter until you get a swirled look.
Step 13. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
Lastly, Cool and serve!
I hope you enjoyed the recipe for Halloween brownies! These brownies are so easy to make and they taste amazing! No matter if you make these brownies for a Halloween party, a school party, or even just for your family you will love this simple and delicious festive brownie recipe.
This Halloween brownie recipe has been a staple dessert in the fall at our house, and I know that your family will love them as well. If you make these festive brownies I hope that you will leave me a comment and let me know what you think about them!
More Delicious Halloween Recipes
- Monster Cupcakes
- Mummy Cherry Hand Pies
- Witch Hat Cookies
- Chocolate Pumpkin Mousse Cake
- Ghost Cupcakes
Cream Cheese Halloween Brownies
Equipment
- 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 inch cake pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs plus 2 yolks
- ½ cup butter, melted or 1 stick
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 brick (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- Neon green orange, purple food coloring
Instructions
- Get out and measure all of your ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or foil and spray with cooking spray.
- Combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, whole eggs and yolks in a large bowl.
- Melt the butter and chocolate in a double boiler, then whisk together until fully combined.
- Whisk in the vegetable oil.
- Pour the chocolate mixture into the sugar mixture and mix until fully combined.
- Gently fold in the flour and cocoa.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan.
- In a medium mixing bowl with a hand mixer blend the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add in the 2 eggs and blend again.
- Separate the cream cheese mixture into 3 bowls and color each one a different color.
- Place spoonful's of the colored cream cheese mixture all over the top of the brownie batter.
- Run a knife through the cream cheese and batter until you get a swirled look.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
- Cool and serve! Enjoy every bite!
Nutrition
Leave a Reply