• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • My Story
  • Income Reports
  • Contact Me

Stephanie's Sweet Treats

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • My Story
  • Income Reports
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • My Story
    • Income Reports
    • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Brownies and Bars

    Oct 7, 2022 by Stephanie Rutherford · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

    Halloween Brownies

    80 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest pin for Halloween brownies.

    These Halloween brownies are perfect for spooky season! They are fudgy brownie layers and topped with orange colored cheesecake. It is also swirled with extra brownie on top. These are a perfect orange and black fun halloween treats!

    Stack of Halloween brownies.

    These Halloween brownies are pretty easy to make and makes such a fun festive treat! My favorite part about these brownies is they are actually marbled cheesecake brownies, but dyed orange! This would be the perfect brownies to make for a Halloween party or for kids.

    For more Halloween recipes, try Halloween Pumpkin Ghost Cupcakes, Halloween Candy Chocolate Cake, and Mummy Cookies.

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Expert Baking Tips
    • FAQ
    • Storing and Freezing
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why This Recipe Works

    • Fudgy brownies- The homemade brownie recipe is based on my Better Than Boxed Brownies, but with no chocolate chips. They are super fudgy and incredible.
    • Cheesecake layer- The cheesecake layer is creamy and pretty simple with the ingredients. They are just dyed orange!
    • Swirled brownies- The top of the brownies has a swirl of brownies. This created using a ¼ cup of brownie batter and very hot water mixed together.
    • Kid approved- When I made these for my 4 year old, he absolutely loved it!
    Halloween brownie on it's side.

    Ingredient Notes

    Here are some notes on the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

    • Eggs- Pull the large eggs out 2 hours before using so it is room temperature.
    • Unsalted butter- The butter is melted and cooled before adding to the brownie batter.
    • Oil- Use canola oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil.
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder- For best results, use dutch-processed cocoa powder. This is the one I used.
    • Cornstarch- This helps to make the brownies more fudgy. If you don't have it, then you can skip it.
    • Cream cheese- Use full fat cream cheese. Pull this out 2 hours before baking.
    • Orange food coloring- Use a gel food dye. I love Americolor.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Here is how to make and bake these Halloween swirl cream cheese brownies. You will need a stand mixer with both a whisk attachment and a paddle attachment or use a hand mixer. You will need a 8X8-inch square baking pan.

    STEP 1: Mix the sugar and the eggs. First, beat the sugar and eggs on high speed in a large bowl for 5 minutes.

    Next, mix in the melted butter, oil, and vanilla extract and mix in low speed.

    STEP 2: Add the dry ingredients. Add in the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. Make sure to mix on low speed until just combined.

    Save ¼ cup of brownie batter into a bowl.

    Whipped eggs in glass bowl.
    Brownie batter in a glass bowl.

    STEP 3: Beat the cream cheese and sugar. Next, in a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar on high speed for 1 minute.

    Then, add in the orange food dye and vanilla and mix on medium speed. Add enough food dye to get to the desired orange color.

    STEP 4: Add the egg. Add the eggs and mix on low speed. Make sure to add as little air as possible to prevent cracks while baking.

    Whipped cream cheese in a glass bowl.
    Orange cream cheese in a glass bowl.

    STEP 5: Spread the batter. Spread the brownie batter over the prepared pan. Top with the cheesecake batter.

    Heat the water on the stovetop until steaming, then pour on top of the ¼ cup of brownie batter. Use a whisk to stir until smooth. It will be like liquid.

    Brownie batter in the pan.
    Orange cheesecake on top of the brownie batter.

    STEP 6: Swirl the batter. Pour the brownie batter on top of the cheesecake filling. Use a butter knife to very gently swirl it together.

    Drizzled brownie batter on top of cheesecake layer.
    Swirled brownie batter in a pan.

    STEP 7: Bake. Bake for 40-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out with soft crumbs. If it is gooey, bake for another 5 minutes.

    STEP 8: Chill. First, cool completely on a cooling rack. Then, cover in plastic wrap and chill overnight or for at least 2 hours before cutting and enjoying.

    Expert Baking Tips

    • Flour- Make sure the flour is spooned and leveled. If you stick a measuring cup into the flour, this will compact the flour. Which will dry out the brownies and turn them cakey.
    • The sugar and eggs with the brownie batter, needs to be beaten on high for 5 minutes.
    • When the flour mixture is almost all the way mixed into the brownie batter, use a rubber spatula to fold the rest of the way. Over mixing the batter will cause the air bubbles to pop and it loose the crackle top and the rise.
    • When preparing the pan, make sure to place parchment paper on the bottom and 2 sides of the pan. This will let you be able to remove them easily from the pan after they chill.
    Stack of brownies with one bite missing.

    FAQ

    Can I make this into mini cheesecakes?

    Yes you can. Use a cupcake tin with cupcake liners. Bake for 20 minutes.

    What other pans can I use?

    For thinner bars, use a 9X9-inch square pan.

    Do I need a water bath?

    You don't need a water bath for this recipe!

    Storing and Freezing

    Store these Halloween brownies in the fridge in an airtight container. Chill up to 5 days.

    Freezing

    The bars can be frozen, store in an airtight container and freeze up to 30 days.

    Thaw for 1-2 hours before eating. They thaw easily if you freeze them in slices.

    Two brownies on its side.

    Other Brownie Recipes To Try

    • Oreo cheesecake brownies stacked on top of each other.
      Oreo Cheesecake Brownies
    • One bite missing from marshmallow brownies.
      Marshmallow Brownies
    • Close up of Snickers brownie side piece.
      Snickers Brownies
    • Close up of small batch fudgy brownies with one on it's side.
      Small Batch Brownies

    Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.

    📖 Recipe

    Stack of Halloween brownies.

    Halloween Brownies

    These Halloween brownies are actually marbled cheesecake brownies. The brownie layer is super fudgy and it is topped with cheesecake batter that is dyed orange. Then, extra brownie is swirled on top. They are great orange and black Halloween treats.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 50 mins
    Chilling Time 6 hrs
    Total Time 7 hrs 20 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 brownies
    Calories 250 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Brownie Layer

    • 1 cup White granulated sugar
    • 2 Large eggs
    • 4 tablespoon Unsalted butter melted
    • ¼ cup Oil canola or vegetable oil
    • 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • ⅔ cup All-purpose flour
    • ⅔ cup Unsweetened cocoa power dutch-process is best
    • ½ tablespoon Cornstarch
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • 1 ½ tablespoon Hot water

    Cheesecake Layer

    • 8 oz Cream Cheese room temperature
    • ¼ cup White granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • 1 Large egg room temperature
    • Orange food dye

    Instructions
     

    Brownie Layer

    • Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spray an 8X8-inch baking pan with baking nonstick spray. Line the bottom and 2 sides of the pan with parchment paper. Spray again.
    • In a medium bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.
      ⅔ cup All-purpose flour, ⅔ cup Unsweetened cocoa power, ½ tablespoon Cornstarch, ½ teaspoon Salt
    • Using a mixer with a whisk attachment. Beat the sugar and eggs on high speed for 5 minutes. It will become light and pale in color. While it is mixing, melt the butter.
      1 cup White granulated sugar, 2 Large eggs
    • Add the melted butter, oil, and vanilla and mix on low until combined. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low until combined.
      4 tablespoon Unsalted butter, ¼ cup Oil, 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
    • Take off the mix and mix using a rubber spatula. Save ¼ cup of brownie batter to the side. Spread the brownie batter in the pan.

    Cheesecake Layer

    • In a medium bowl using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract on high speed for 1 minute. Add the orange food dye and mix until desired color. Then, add in the egg and mix on low speed.
      8 oz Cream Cheese, ¼ cup White granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract, Orange food dye, 1 Large egg
    • Spread the cheesecake batter on top of the brownie batter. Heat the water on the stove until steaming. Pour the water into the leftover brownie batter and whisk until combined.
      1 ½ tablespoon Hot water
    • Pour the brownie batter on top of the cheesecake batter and use a butter knife to swirl the brownie into the cheesecake. Be very gentle when swirling.
    • Bake for 40-50 minutes. Stick a toothpick in the center, if a lot of batter comes out, bake for another 5 minutes.
    • Cool on a cooling rack completely. Wrap in foil and chill overnight or at least 2-3 hours. Then, cut the brownies into squares.

    Notes

    Flour- Make sure flour is spooned and leveled or use a kitchen scale. Compacted flour can dry out the brownies
    High altitude baking- Add an extra 1 tablespoon of flour.
    Pull out dairy ingredients 2 hours before baking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 2gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 157mgPotassium: 35mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 370IUCalcium: 21mgIron: 0.4mg
    Keyword cheesecake brownies, fudgy brownies, halloween brownies, orange cheesecake, swirled brownies
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Brownies and Bar Recipes

    • Three lemon brownies on its side.
      Lemon Brownies
    • Two birthday cake brownies on its side.
      Birthday Cake Brownies
    • Red velvet brownies with one on its side.
      Red Velvet Brownies
    • Close up of brownie cake split open.
      Brownie Cake

    About Stephanie Rutherford

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Picture of me.

    Hi New Friends!

    HI! I am Stephanie!

    I am the founder, recipe developer, and food photographer for Stephanie's Sweet Treats. Here you will find all the decadent dessert recipes that anyone can make!

    Learn more about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Moist Triple chocolate cake covered in chocolate drip.
      Moist Triple Chocolate Cake
    • Chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake on a cake stand.
      Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake
    • Brown butter snickerdoodle cookies on parchment paper.
      Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Cookies
    • Oreo chocolate chip cookie with a bite missing.
      Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies

    New Recipes

    • Cheese scones on parchment paper.
      Ham and Cheese Scones
    • Close up of the chocolate rolls.
      Chocolate Rolls
    • Carrot cake cinnamon rolls in a pan.
      Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls
    • Top view of the Lindt truffle stuffed cookies.
      Lindt Stuffed Cookies

    As Featured In

    Logos for being featured in.
    Web Stories

    Privacy Policy

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Stephanie's Sweet Treats

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Tumblr