Halloween Swirl Cream Cheese Brownies
There’s just something magical about the way rich, fudgy chocolate and silky cream cheese come together… and when you swirl in a splash of Halloween orange, you’ve got a treat that’s as spooky as it is scrumptious. These brownies are a party-perfect bite that will have everyone asking for “just one more.”
Ingredients
For the Brownie Layer:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup dark cocoa powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 8 oz cream cheese room temp
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Orange gel food coloring
Optional Add-Ins & Swaps:
- Candy eyes
- Black or purple sprinkles
- Peppermint extract
- Gluten-free flour blend
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment, leaving overhang for lifting. Spray lightly with non-stick spray.
- Whisk sugar, flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder together. In another bowl, beat eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Stir wet into dry until combined. Reserve ¼ cup batter for swirl; spread the rest in pan.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Add orange gel coloring and mix until vibrant.
- Spread cream cheese mixture over brownie layer. Drop spoonfuls of reserved brownie batter on top. Drag a skewer or knife through in figure-eight motions for swirls. Add sprinkles or candy eyes if desired.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until center is set but still fudgy. Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
For perfect swirls, use a skewer for finer lines and avoid overmixing layers. Chill before slicing for clean edges. Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze individually wrapped slices for up to 3 months.