Description
Rich chocolate brownies meet haunting cream cheese swirls in this Halloween-inspired dessert. Spooky marbled patterns and deep chocolate flavor make these brownies a wickedly delicious treat you’ll crave all autumn long.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
Flour and Dry Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup all purpose white flour
- 1/2 cup Hersheys Special Dark cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Flavoring:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350 degrees and line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper, lightly spraying with non-stick cooking spray.
- Combine dry brownie ingredients in a medium mixing bowl: white sugar, flour, dark cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
- Whisk eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract in a separate small bowl until thoroughly integrated.
- Merge wet and dry brownie ingredients, gently folding with a spatula until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Separate and reserve 1/4 cup of brownie batter for later swirling, then transfer the remaining batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Create cream cheese mixture by blending cream cheese, white sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and uniform.
- Incorporate orange food coloring into the cream cheese mixture, stirring until evenly distributed.
- Carefully spread the vibrant orange cream cheese layer atop the brownie base.
- Strategically drop reserved brownie batter in small dollops across the cream cheese surface.
- Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the batters, creating a marbled Halloween-inspired design.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until the brownies are set and a toothpick comes out with minimal crumbs.
- Allow brownies to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into festive squares.
Notes
- Choose room temperature cream cheese for a smoother, lump-free mixture that blends effortlessly with other ingredients.
- Avoid overmixing brownie batter to prevent tough, dense brownies – stir just until ingredients are combined for a tender texture.
- Swap regular cocoa powder with Dutch-processed cocoa for a deeper, richer chocolate flavor that enhances the overall brownie experience.
- Customize the Halloween theme by using black food coloring instead of orange, or sprinkle Halloween-themed sprinkles on top for festive decoration.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg