Name: Halloween Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 20 oz The Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix; 1 egg; ¼ cup water; ⅓ cup vegetable oil; 8 ounces cream cheese ((Philadelphia brand used)); ½ cup granulated white sugar; 1 egg; ½ tsp vanilla extract; orange food coloring; non-stick spray

Jump to Recipe

These rich, fudgy Halloween Cheesecake Brownies have a festive orange cream cheese swirl that makes them perfect for spooky season. They start with a boxed brownie mix, so they’re easy to make but still look impressive enough for a Halloween party. Because sometimes we want the cute Halloween dessert without turning the kitchen into a crime scene. 🎃

Gooey Halloween brownies with a rich, fudgy texture and a gooey orange cream cheese swirl on top, perfect for dessert lovers seeking decadent homemade treats, homemade brownie recipes, sweet baked goods, and dessert ideas.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Bake Time: 40–45 mins
Total Time: 55–60 mins
Servings: 12

Brownie Ingredients

Brownie Ingredients
20 oz Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix
¼ cup water
⅓ cup vegetable oil
1 egg

Cheesecake Swirl Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese, softened (Philadelphia brand used)
1 egg
½ cup granulated sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
Orange food coloring
Nonstick cooking spray
The eggs are not shown in the ingredient photo.

brownie mix in a black bowl, with white granulated sugar in a blue measuring cup, Orange food, coloring, vanilla extract, and Philadelphia cream cheese all on the white floorboards.

*The egg is not shown in the ingredient photo.

Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9×9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the brownie batter according to the package directions using ¼ cup water, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, and 1 egg. Reserve ¼ cup of the prepared brownie batter for swirling. Pour the remaining batter into the prepared pan.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add a few drops of orange food coloring and mix until you reach your desired shade of orange.

Step 4: Spoon the orange cheesecake mixture over the brownie batter and gently spread it into an even layer. Drop small spoonfuls of the reserved brownie batter over the top. Use a toothpick or knife to gently swirl the brownie batter through the cheesecake layer.

Batter mixed with orange colored batter being swirled into in a baking dish, creating a marbled effect.

Swirled on top of the dark chocolate brownie batter, the orange cream cheese batter is displayed in a 9 x 9 brownie pan on the white floor.

Swirled on dark chocolate brownie batter on top of the orange cream cheese batter in a 9 x 9 brownie pan on the white floor.

Step 5: Bake the 9×9-inch pan at 350°F for 40–45 minutes, or until the brownies are set. Let them cool completely before slicing. For cleaner cuts, try using a plastic knife.

🍋 Simply Made Suggestions

Store leftover brownies in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
I use Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix, but your favorite brownie mix will work too. Not a dark chocolate fan? Try Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Brownie Mix instead.
Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing. It makes the cheesecake layer much smoother.
Don’t overdo the swirling. A few passes with a toothpick or knife will give you that pretty orange-and-chocolate marbled look.
Baking times vary from oven to oven, so start checking the brownies toward the end of the suggested baking time.
Nutritional information is based on brownies baked in a 9×9-inch pan.

🎃Before You Go…

Keeping the Halloween treats going? Our Creepy Crispy Eyeball Treats are another fun, easy option for parties, school celebrations, or a spooky movie night. Or browse our easy Halloween recipes for kids for more treats, snacks, and a kid-friendly Witches Brew Mocktail.

Halloween Brownies

Gooey chocolate caramel brownies with a rich, fudgy texture and a gooey caramel swirl on top, perfect for dessert lovers seeking decadent homemade treats, homemade brownie recipes, sweet baked goods, and dessert ideas.

These chocolate brownies, swirled together with an orange cheesecake topping, are the perfect spooky treat for any Halloween gathering!

Tara

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Servings

Equipment

electric hand mixer
large bowl
9×9 baking pan
plastic knife (for cutting brownies)

Ingredients

20 oz The Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix
1 egg
¼ cup water
⅓ cup vegetable oil
8 ounces cream cheese (Philadelphia brand used)
½ cup granulated white sugar
1 egg
½ tsp vanilla extract
orange food coloring
non-stick spray

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9×9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Prepare the brownie batter according to the package directions using ¼ cup water, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, and 1 egg. Reserve ¼ cup of the prepared brownie batter for swirling. Pour the remaining batter into the prepared pan.
In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add a few drops of orange food coloring and mix until you reach your desired shade of orange.
Spoon the orange cheesecake mixture over the brownie batter and gently spread it into an even layer. Drop small spoonfuls of the reserved brownie batter over the top. Use a toothpick or knife to gently swirl the brownie batter through the cheesecake layer.
Bake the 9×9-inch pan at 350°F for 40–45 minutes, or until the brownies are set. Let them cool completely before slicing. For cleaner cuts, try using a plastic knife.