Servings
Font
Back
0 from 138 votes

Loaded Cream Cheese Halloween Brownies

Ultra fudgy Halloween brownies topped with a layer of orange cream cheese, sandwich cookies, and chocolate chips!! The perfect EASY Halloween treat!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 9 servings
Calories: 618 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Brownies
  • ½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick
  • 6 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate chopped (I use 72%)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 tablespoon brewed coffee leftover or cold coffee is okay, optional but recommended
  • 1 teaspoon instant espresso granules optional but recommended
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
Cream Cheese Topping
  • 8 ounces brick-style cream cheese softened
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 10 drops Yellow McCormick Assorted Food Color or as needed
  • 5 drops Red McCormick Assorted Food Color or as needed
  • 12 Sandwich Cookies such as Oreos, chopped (I chop each cookie in 6 to 9 pieces)
  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Make the Brownies
  2. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil leaving overhang and spray with cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside.
  3. To a large microwave-safe bowl, add the butter, chocolate, and heat on high power to melt, about 2 minutes. Stop to check and stir after 1 minute. Heat in 15-second increments until chocolate has melted and mixture can be stirred smooth. Allow mixture to cool momentarily before adding the eggs so they don’t scramble.
  4. Add the eggs, sugar, vanilla, optional coffee, optional espresso granules (neither make brownies taste like coffee and both enhance and round out the chocolate flavor), and whisk vigorously to combine.
  5. Add the flour, salt, and stir until smooth and combined without overmixing.
  6. Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula as necessary; set aside.
  7. Make the Cream Cheese ToppingTo a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, egg, sugar, and beat with a handheld electric mixer on high speed for about 2 minutes, or until mixture is smooth. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
  8. Add the Yellow Food Color, Red Food Color, and mix to incorporate. As needed, add additional drops of food color to achieve the desired shade of orange. Remember to add slowly because you can’t un-do it once you add it.
  9. Turn mixture out over the brownie layer in heaping tablespoon-sized dollops, leaving a bare 1/2-inch perimeter around the edges (the cream cheese is prone to burning if you add it right up to the edge so leave some space). Take your time and evenly smooth the dollops together to form an solid layer.
  10. Evenly sprinkles the sandwich cookies, chocolate chips, and bake for about 43 to 45 minutes, or until brownies are done. The toothpick test is tricky since you’ll hit melted chocolate chips and soft cream cheese, but test a few patches and when inserting the toothpick into the deepest brownie layer, it should feel ‘thick’ and set and not runny.
  11. Allow brownies to cool uncovered on a wire rack for about 2 hours.
  12. Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 3 to 4 hours (I prefer overnight) before slicing and serving. The cream cheese needs to be chilled and set before slicing.

Notes

  • Brownies will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 1 week. They’re best served chilled.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 618kcal (31%) Carbohydrates 64g (21%) Protein 12g (24%) Fat 35g (54%) Saturated Fat 20g (100%) Polyunsaturated Fat 13g Cholesterol 115mg (38%) Sodium 435mg (18%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 32g (64%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 618

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 618kcal 31%
Carbohydrates 64g 21%
Protein 12g 24%
Fat 35g 54%
Saturated Fat 20g 100%
Polyunsaturated Fat 13g 76%
Cholesterol 115mg 38%
Sodium 435mg 18%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 32g 64%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.