Black Cocoa Halloween Brownies
Fudgy black cocoa brownies marbled with a bright orange vanilla cheesecake swirl.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Total Time: 177 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup black cocoa powder
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- Orange gel food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare: Heat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment.
- Brownie batter: Melt butter and chocolate. Whisk in brown sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Fold in flour, cocoa, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Cheesecake: Beat cream cheese, granulated sugar, yolk, remaining vanilla, remaining salt, and orange gel coloring until smooth.
- Swirl: Spread most brownie batter in pan. Spoon over cheesecake and remaining batter; swirl with a skewer using a few broad loops.
- Bake: Bake 28 to 34 minutes until edges set and a tester has moist crumbs. Cool completely, chill briefly, and cut into 16 squares.
Notes
Use gel coloring, not liquid. Refrigerate because of the cheesecake swirl. Images are AI-generated illustrations; recipe not kitchen-tested.