Halloween Swirl Cream Cheese Brownies have a layer of rich, dark chocolate brownie topped with a layer of orange cheesecake then swirled together for a spooky treat. These are sure to be a perfect dessert treat for everyone at your Halloween party!
Halloween Brownies
It’s the second week of October so it’s appropriate that I’m sharing a Halloween recipe, right? When I pull up my Pinterest feed or step into any store, I’m already seeing all things Christmas. I feel behind and it’s not even November!
Halloween Swirl Cream Cheese Brownies
Confession Time:
To be honest, I did make these cream cheese brownies a couple months ago, but other things came up so I’m just now getting around to posting them. The problem with that is, I don’t know where I wrote down my notes for the recipe.
If I’m too prepared, I mess myself up.
Anyway, I found the recipe so you’re in luck and will have a chance to enjoy these Halloween themed cream cheese brownies for the spooky day!
Halloween Brownies Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.
- Sugar – Granulated sugar.
- Flour – All purpose flour.
- Cocoa Powder – I use Hershey’s Special Dark because you want it to be really dark/black.
- Salt – Helps enhance flavor.
- Baking Powder – For rise.
- Eggs – Large eggs.
- Vegetable Oil
- Vanilla Extract – A good quality vanilla extract, even though it’s pricey!
- Cream Cheese – A brick (8oz) at room temperature.
- Orange Food Coloring – This kit lets you easily make custom colors.
Tips for making these brownies:
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper to make it easy to remove after baking
- Use a skewer instead of a spatula for more intricate swirls in your cream cheese brownies
- Use this same recipe for multiple holidays, simply change out the food coloring to match the holiday (like these Christmas Brownies)!
I like that the swirls in these cream cheese brownies have a creepy, spidery effect. You could leave out the food coloring and just make these “regular” and they’d still be really pretty.
Tools to help you make Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies
- Food Coloring Kit – this is the food coloring I use. I didn’t tell you exactly how much orange to use because it will depend on which kit you’re using. If you’re using the Wilton Color Right Performance Food Coloring Set I link here, it comes with a color formula chart that shows you exactly how many drops you need of each color to make bright colors, pastels, etc. It’s a really good kit. I have fun with it.
- 8 x 8 baking dish – love that this has a lid for easy storing.
- Brownie spatula – because you have to get them out of the pan!
FAQs
How to store them
Store leftovers covered in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Can I freeze them?
Yes, they should freeze well. I’d wrap them individually, then put them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Can I double the recipe?
If you’d like more than the 8×8 pan, you can double the recipe and use a 9×13 pan.
Can I use a brownie mix?
Yes. If you’re in a pinch & want to use a mix instead of making the brownies from scratch, you can, just make sure you pick up a smaller pouch/box of brownie mix instead of the “family size” since this recipe is for an 8×8 pan.
Need more Halloween baking ideas? Try these:
- THIRTY Halloween Desserts – I compiled a great bunch of recipes in this list!
- Halloween Chocolate Tunnel Cake – the colors on this one are so fun!
- Brownie Bottom Halloween Cupcakes – brownie + cake = a whole lotta delicious.
- Black Cat Pudding Cups – these require no cooking and would be fun to send in as a class treat
- Jack-O-Lantern Brownie Bite – the kids will like to help decorate these.
- Best Halloween Party Food Ideas – not just baked goods, all kinds of ideas for your Halloween party.
This Halloween, have fun making our favorite Cream Cheese Brownies for a fun and spooky treat that everyone loves. This grown up dessert is a perfect treat everyone will love on the Halloween party buffet table this year!
Emma says
Taste is amazing! However 30-35 mins isn’t cutting it for me. I’m not sure what the deal is! I make it exactly as described and after 35 mins the bottom brownie layer is still batter. Ugh!
Toni says
Would I be able to substitute the all purpose flour with almond flour or coconut flour? If so, what would you recommend for the binding agent?
Melissa Williams says
I haven’t tested that.
Chris says
3:1 almond flour to coconut flour is the perfect substitute for regular flour. So for 1 cup of flour, instead use 3/4 cup almond and 1/4 cup coconut flour. I use this cheat for baking all the time and it works well
Melissa Williams says
Thanks for chiming in!
Ash says
I enjoy this recipe, however I want to make it for a group where someone has an egg allergy. I have a plan for substituting in the brownies themselves but do you have suggestions on how to substitute the egg in the cream cheese layer?
Melissa Williams says
I haven’t tested but found this that might be helpful –> egg replacements in cheesecake
Gabrielle says
I actually made these for a Tennessee tailgate. Colors were great and everyone loves a brownie. Followed the recipe and they turned out great! I’ll wish I had doubled the recipe when the teens see them.
Melissa Williams says
ha, happy to hear that! 🙂
Trish says
Easy to make and tasted delicious. Cooked perfectly just as recipe said. Will definitely make again.
Melissa Williams says
I’m so glad you liked them!
Erica O'Connor says
These have been a big hit for several years and I’m always asked to make them for other holidays (I just omit or swap the food coloring accordingly). One issue I run into is that the batter is extremely think, almost paste like, so when it comes time to add drops to the cream cheese, it’s more like thick clumps. I make do but wonder if I’m doing something wrong. They’re delicious regardless, but I’d like to perfect the recipe. I follow the recipe exactly, so maybe you have some pointers. Thanks!