I love simple desserts like these Halloween Brownies. The orange color swirled with the dark color of the brownie represents the holiday wonderfully, without having to put in a lot of work with decorations. I do enjoy making fun, spooky treats, but there’s something about these cream cheese brownies that keeps me coming back.
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This recipe uses a boxed brownie mix as a shortcut, but you may use any kind you want to make the result your own. I make a quick homemade cheesecake mixture to swirl with the brownie to make that unforgettable bite. Ensure you add plenty of orange to make yours pop, too.
If you like easy brownie recipes, you will love these M&M Brownies and my easy Chocolate Fudge Brownies.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It’s easy to prepare: This is a very easy recipe to make. The cream cheese mixture has only 4 simple ingredients, and the brownie batter uses a boxed mix. It doesn’t take long to combine the ingredients and set them up for the oven.
- It’s festive: The bright orange color undeniably screams Halloween! It’s basic but still fun and festive.
- It’s budget-friendly: It doesn’t cost a lot to make these easy Halloween brownies. The components are super cost-effective!
Ingredients
Below is everything you’ll need to make this Halloween brownie recipe. I use a boxed brownie mix, so you’ll need the ingredients for that, but they can vary depending on the flavor and brand!
- Brownie mix and ingredients: Use any brand and variety of boxed brownie mix that you like. Include the ingredients listed on the box (this usually includes some amount of oil, water, and eggs).
- Cream cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is softened before you use it to keep the mixture creamy and smooth. Cold cream cheese doesn’t mix as well and leaves clumps behind.
- Sugar: I use white granulated sugar to sweeten the cream cheese mixture in the brownies. They will be baked, so you don’t need to worry about the texture.
- Egg: I add an egg for structure, flavor, and texture. It makes a fluffier cheesecake swirl.
- Vanilla extract: Use real vanilla for this recipe for authentic flavor. Skip the imitation for this one!
- Food coloring: Obviously, you’ll need orange for this one to get real Halloween vibes! I prefer gel food coloring for this recipe.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free brownie mix to make a gluten-free batch of brownies for Halloween.
- Patriotic: Switch the theme and prepare a batch of 4th of July brownies. Swirl the red and blue-colored cream cheese mixture with the brownie batter.
- Mint: Try mint extract instead of vanilla extract to create a mint cheesecake swirl in the brownies.
How to Make Halloween-Themed Brownies
Here are the steps needed to prepare these Halloween-decorated brownies. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8x8 metal pan with enough parchment to slightly hang over the sides.
Step 1: Make the brownie batter. Combine the brownie mix and any ingredients listed on the box in a mixing bowl. Whisk until it’s mixed and smooth.
Step 2: Add it to the pan. Next, pour it into the prepared 8x8 pan. Reserve a little batter to the side.
Step 3: Make the cheesecake layer. Beat the cream cheese and sugar in a separate bowl until they are smooth and creamy. Then, add the egg, vanilla, and food coloring to the cream cheese mixture. Beat it until all the ingredients are well combined.
Step 4: Transfer on top of the brownie. Pour the mixture onto the brownie batter.
Step 5: Add dollops of brownie batter. Dollop the remaining brownie batter over the top. Use a toothpick to gently swirl it with the orange cream cheese layer.
Step 6: Bake it. Stick it in the oven and bake it for about 35 minutes. Then, turn off the oven and crack the oven door. Leave the pan in the oven for an additional 30 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t take it out of the oven right away: To make a proper cheesecake, the instructions always involve leaving it in the oven with the door cracked. You’ll need to do that for this recipe as well to ensure it comes out perfectly.
- A little jiggle is okay: It’s not going to be completely firm after it bakes. It’s normal if it jiggles in the middle slightly. It will be just the right texture after it cools.
- Add enough food coloring: You can be generous with the food coloring here, depending on how bright you want the orange to be. Add an extra drop or two for a super vibrant color.
- Storing: Store leftover brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
If you love recipes like these cream cheese brownies, you may also enjoy these chewy brownies with cream cheese.
Serving Suggestions
- If you need more appetizer or snack ideas, try this churro snack mix or these honey hot wings. For a Halloween gathering, these mummy hot dogs make a great savory Halloween appetizer.
- Serve a four horsemen shot for the adults at your Halloween party.
- These peanut butter dipped oreos would make a fun garnish on top of the Halloween brownies.
Recipe FAQs
Of course! Use your favorite homemade brownie batter in place of store-bought. If you want homemade brownies, but don’t have a recipe, try these chocolate chip brownies.
Sure! Green or purple are great alternatives to orange, but they still give off the same vibe for Halloween.
Yup! Double it and make it in a 9x13 pan to feed a larger crowd!
More Delicious Halloween Desserts
Do you like Halloween desserts? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Halloween Brownies
Equipment
- 8x8 metal pan
Ingredients
Brownie Layer:
- 14 ounce brownie mix 400 grams
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 egg large, room temperature
Cheesecake Layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese full fat and softened
- 65 grams granulated sugar about ⅓ cup
- 1 egg large, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼-½ teaspoon orange gel food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line an 8x8 metal pan with parchment paper leaving the edges high for easy removal. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add brownie ingredients. Mix well with a spatula.
- Add your brownie mixture to your prepared baking pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth (about 3 minutes).
- Add egg, pure vanilla extract and orange food coloring to the mixture and beat again for about 1 minute, until smooth and incorporated.
- Slowly pour or spoon cream cheese on top of the brownie batter and level out carefully. Add small dollops of leftover brownie batter, then swirl it around with a knife or toothpick (note: be careful to not go too deep and disturb the brownie layer unless you want to).
- Bake for 35 minutes or until the cheesecake is almost fully set (there can be a slight jiggle to the center area), then shut off the oven, open the door slightly and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
- Transfer the pan to a wire rack and when cool, chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours then cut into squares before serving!
Notes
- Store these Halloween brownies in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- Double the recipe for a large crowd and use a 9x13 baking dish.
- Allow the brownies enough time to sit in the oven before you remove them to ensure the cheesecake is fully baked and doesn’t crack.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in August 2021. It's been updated with new content and images.
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