These dark chocolate chip brownies swirled together with an orange cheesecake top layer are the perfect spooky treat at any Halloween gathering!

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 40-45 mins (approx.)
Total Time: 55-60 mins (approx.)
Servings: 16

Ingredients:

Ghirardelli dark chocolate brownie mix
vegetable oil
water
eggs
cream cheese-Philadelphia brand used
granulated white sugar
vanilla extract
orange food coloring
dark chocolate chips (optional)
non-stick spray

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

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350º F. Coat an 9 x 9 cake pan with non-stick spray. Set aside. *See Tips below for additional baking temperatures and baking pan sizes.

Step 2: Follow the instructions on the brownie box to make the brownie batter. Fold in optional dark chocolate chips. Reserve ¼ cup of the brownie batter for swirl topping, pour remaining batter into the baking dish. Set aside.

Adding dark chocolate chips to brownie batter in a mixing bowl

Dark chocolate brownie batter in a 9x9 baking pan with ¼ cup reserved on the side on the counter.

Step 3: To make the orange cream cheese layer, add room temperature cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla to a mixing bowl. Using an electric hand mixer blend ingredients until smooth. Add the orange food coloring and combine with cream cheese mixture.

Cream cheese at room temperature, egg, sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl.

Mixing the cream cheese ingredients with an electric hand mixer.

Orange cream cheese layer in a bowl beside brownie batter in a 9x9 baking pan on the counter

Step 4: Carefully, spread the cream cheese layer on top of the brownie batter layer. Then drop several teaspoons of the remaining chocolate brownie batter on top and using a skewer or knife gently swirl.

Orange cream cheese layer on top of brownie bottom layer in a 9x9 baking pan

Dollops of reserved brownie batter on top of the orange cream cheese top layer.

Swirls of brownie batter in the orange cream cheese top layer in a 9x9 baking pan

Step 5: Bake as directed in Tips chart below or until set. Let brownies cool completely before slicing. *Use a plastic knife for cutting brownies.

Tips:

9 x 9 pan bake at 350 ºF for 40-45 minutes (approx.)
9 x 13 pan and bake at 325 ºF for 30-35 minutes (approx.)
Store leftovers in a covered container for up to 2 days.
Nutritional values are based on brownies made in an 9×9 pan
All baking times are approximate due to variations in oven temperatures.

Halloween Brownies

These dark chocolate chip brownies swirled together with an orange cheesecake top layer are the perfect spooky treat at 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

dark chocolate brownie mix (Ghirardelli dark chocolate brand used)
½ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup water
2 eggs
8 ounces cream cheese (Philadelphia brand used)
½ cup granulated white sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
orange food coloring
¼ cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
non-stick spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350º F. See Notes below for correct baking temperatures. Coat a 9 x 9 cake pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
Follow the instructions on the brownie box to make the brownie batter. Fold in optional dark chocolate chips. Reserve ¼ cup of the brownie batter for swirl topping, pour remaining batter into the baking dish. Set aside.
To make the orange cream cheese layer, add room temperature cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla to a mixing bowl. Using an electric hand mixer blend ingredients until smooth. Add the orange food coloring and combine with cream cheese mixture.
Carefully, spread the cream cheese layer on top of the brownie batter layer. Then drop teaspoons of the remaining chocolate brownie batter on top and using a skewer or knife gently swirl.
Bake as directed in Notes list below or until set. Let brownies cool completely before slicing. *Use a plastic knife to cut brownies.
*Caution-baking pan will be hot while removing from the hot oven!