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Halloween Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies Recipe

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4.7 from 139 reviews

Delight in the festive Halloween Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies, featuring a rich, fudgy dark chocolate brownie base swirled with a smooth, tangy orange cream cheese layer. These brownies combine classic cocoa flavors with a creamy twist, perfect for spooky celebrations or anytime you crave a decadent treat.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Brownie Layer:

  • 1 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1/2 cup all purpose white 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, as desired

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with parchment paper or foil and lightly spray with non-stick spray to ensure easy removal of the brownies.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients for Brownie Layer: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon baking powder. Stir together until evenly mixed.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients for Brownie Layer: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined using a fork.
  4. Combine Brownie Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredient mixture. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the brownies tender.
  5. Reserve Batter for Swirls: Set aside ¼ cup of this brownie batter for the swirls on top. Pour the remaining batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
  6. Prepare Cream Cheese Layer: In a medium bowl, blend 8 oz room temperature cream cheese, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
  7. Add Color: Stir in orange food coloring to the cream cheese mixture until evenly tinted a bright orange hue, perfect for Halloween theme.
  8. Layer Cream Cheese: Gently spread the cream cheese layer evenly over the brownie batter in the pan, taking care not to disturb the base too much.
  9. Create Swirls: Drop tablespoon-sized dollops of the reserved brownie batter over the cream cheese layer. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the two layers together to create a marbled effect.
  10. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the brownies are set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs but no wet batter.
  11. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. This ensures clean cuts and allows flavors to meld.

Notes

  • Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free layer.
  • Use parchment paper or foil for easy removal and clean slicing.
  • Adjust orange food coloring to achieve your preferred shade for Halloween presentation.
  • Check brownies around 30 minutes to avoid overbaking, which can dry them out.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Find it online: https://yummelle.com/halloween-cream-cheese-swirl-brownies-recipe/