Halloween Brownies
These Halloween Brownies are the perfect spooky treat: rich, fudgy chocolate brownies swirled with a creamy, orange-tinted cheesecake layer. Whether you're making them for a classroom party or serving them up at home with a side of spooky fun, these festive bars are one of our favorite Halloween desserts. With deep cocoa flavor, smooth melted chocolate, and just enough flair to feel special, they're a next level take on classic fudge brownies.
Ideal for a Halloween party, classroom event or just a fun baking day, these layered bars are a colorful, crowd-pleasing addition to your collection of easy Halloween desserts. Dress them up with candy eyeballs, Halloween sprinkles or leave them classic for a more subtle seasonal twist.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love These Halloween Brownies
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make Halloween Brownies
- More Recipes You Will Love
- How to Store Halloween Brownies
- What to Serve with Halloween Brownies
- Top Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions About Halloween Brownies
- More Recipes You Will Love
- Halloween Brownies
We love making festive treats for the spooky season! You might also enjoy or Cookies from Devil's Food Cake Mix or Dirt and Worm Cups.
Why You Will Love These Halloween Brownies
- Striking Halloween Look: The orange swirl gives a festive vibe without extra decorating.
- Fudgy and Creamy Layers: You get rich brownie batter and smooth cheesecake in every bite.
- Simple Ingredients: With mostly pantry staples and one boxed mix shortcut for the ultimate dessert.
- Perfect Make-Ahead Treat: Chill time makes them even better the next day.
- Big Hit for Parties: These are guaranteed to stand out on a Halloween dessert table.
Ingredients
With just a quick trip to the grocery store, you will be all set to make fudgy brownies fit for Halloween parties!
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Brownie Mix: Use your favorite brownie recipe or grab a reliable boxed brownie mix.
- Vegetable Oil: Keeps the brownies moist and tender.
- Water: Helps combine the egg mixture and dry mix.
- Large Egg: Ensures smooth texture and even baking.
- Cream Cheese: Use full-fat and softened cream cheese for the creamiest swirl.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake layer without overpowering it.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and balances the richness.
- Orange Gel Food Coloring: Just a little brings that festive pop.
For this easy recipe, you'll want to have on hand measuring cups and spoons, 9x9 metal pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, hand mixer and spatula.
Substitutions and Variations
This Halloween brownies recipe is easy to customize for your favorite flavors or themes.
- Boxed Brownie Mix: If you have a tried-and-true homemade recipe you can use that as your base!
- Add-Ins: Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped Oreo cookies to the brownie layer for an extra treat.
- Toppings: Once cooled, drizzle with melted white chocolate or top with candy eyes for mummy brownies.
- Color Options: Use purple or green food coloring instead of orange for a different Halloween vibe.
How to Make Halloween Brownies
This recipe comes together quickly- just mix, layer, swirl, and bake. The chilling step is key for clean cuts and the best texture.
Preheat oven to 350F and line an 9x9 metal pan with parchment paper leaving the edges high for easy removal. Set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, add brownie ingredients. Mix well with a spatula. Set aside.
In a large bowl beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth (about 3 minutes).
Add egg, pure vanilla extract and orange food coloring to the mixture and beat again for about 1 minute, until smooth and incorporated.
Slowly pour or spoon cream cheese on top of the brownie batter and level out carefully. Add small dollops of leftover brownie batter, then swirl it around with a knife or toothpick (note: be careful to not go too deep and disturb the brownie layer unless you want to).
Bake for 35 minutes or until the cheesecake is almost fully set (there can be a slight jiggle to the center area), then shut off the oven, open the door slightly and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
Transfer the pan to a wire rack and when cool, chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
Hint: Let your egg and cream cheese warm slightly- room temperature ingredients make for smoother blending.
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How to Store Halloween Brownies
Keep these brownies fresh and party-ready with the right storage.
- Refrigerator: Store cooled brownies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Wrap individually and freeze up to 3 months in a freezer safe container. I usually put them into a freezer bag.
- Serving tip: Thaw in the fridge or on the counter when you are ready to enjoy.
What to Serve with Halloween Brownies
These fun Halloween brownies are great for dessert on their own or you can serve them up with some spooky friends.
- Spooky Season Desserts: Dirt and worm cups, spider cookies, leftover Halloween candy cookies, mummy brownies, mummy Rice Krispie treats, Halloween cookie bars, Halloween cake mix cookies.
- Beverages: Crock Pot hot chocolate, hot chocolate with Baileys, Halloween sangria, alien brain haemorrhage shot, peppermint mocha, caramel mocha coffee, apple cider sangria, spiked apple cider.
Top Tips
Here are some of our tips when making these chocolatey brownies.
- Don't Over-Swirl: A light swirl gives that layered effect without muddying the colors.
- Line the Pan Well: Leave the parchment paper high on the sides for easy lifting once the brownies are baked and cooled.
- Chill Before Slicing: Refrigerating these brownies helps the cheesecake set and helps to achieve cleaner cuts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Halloween Brownies
Do you have questions about making our Halloween brownies?
Yes! These brownies are even better chilled overnight- perfect for prepping the day before your Halloween party.
You can use a hand mixer or mix by hand until completely smooth, just don't skip softening the cream cheese first.
Gel food coloring gives the boldest color without thinning the batter. A little bit goes a long way.
Yes, double the ingredients and bake in a 9x13 baking pan, adjusting the bake time as needed.
Absolutely. Chop up peanut butter cups, milk chocolate chips, or candy bars and sprinkle on top before baking.
More Recipes You Will Love
Check out some more of our recipes you will want to try!
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Halloween Brownies
Equipment
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 9x9 Metal Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Mixing Bowls
- Hand Mixer
- Spatula
Ingredients
BROWNIE LAYER:
- 14- ounce brownie mix 400 grams
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoon water
- 1 large egg room temperature
CHEESECAKE LAYER:
- 8 ounces cream cheese full fat and softened
- 65 grams granulated sugar about ⅓ cup
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼-½ teaspoon orange gel food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line an 9x9 metal pan with parchment paper leaving the edges high for easy removal. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add brownie ingredients. Mix well with a spatula. Set aside.
- In a large bowl beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth (about 3 minutes).
- Add egg, pure vanilla extract and orange food coloring to the mixture and beat again for about 1 minute, until smooth and incorporated.
- Slowly pour or spoon cream cheese on top of the brownie batter and level out carefully. Add small dollops of leftover brownie batter, then swirl it around with a knife or toothpick (note: be careful to not go too deep and disturb the brownie layer unless you want to).
- Bake for 35 minutes or until the cheesecake is almost fully set (there can be a slight jiggle to the center area), then shut off the oven, open the door slightly and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
- Transfer the pan to a wire rack and when cool, chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
Notes
- Let your egg and cream cheese warm slightly - room temperature ingredients make for smoother blending.
- A light swirl gives that layered effect without muddying the colors.
- Leave the parchment paper high on the sides for easy lifting once the brownies are baked and cooled.
- Refrigerating these brownies helps the cheesecake set and helps to achieve cleaner cuts.
Nutrition
We would be so grateful for you to leave us a rating and review on any recipes you try. If you make any alterations, let us know how they turned out.
These fudgy Halloween brownies with the orange cheesecake swirl sound incredible! Does the cheesecake swirl stay creamy after baking?
Oh yes, the cheesecake is so creamy! The parts that have the brownie swirled within it will have the texture of both creamy cheesecake and a lightly baked brownie, plus the fudgy brownie bottom layer. You will love them!
I love the look of these brownies! I am def going to make them this Halloween. Thanks for sharing!
They are so fun. I hope you enjoy them. You can do them any color for any occasion too!
I'm saving this recipe because I cannot wait to make these for the kids once it gets a little cooler outside to get them in the Halloween mood.
It really is a good one for many occasions! I hope the kiddos enjoy them as much as mine does!
These are so fun. We make them every for Halloween party we go to! So tasty and festive.