It's spooky season, and you know what that means, it's time for some spooky treats - like these delicious Halloween cheesecake brownies! Now, if you had to choose between a cheesecake and brownies, what would you choose? Let me answer that for you…YOU HAVE BOTH! Why? Because these two together, create the most decadent treat you'll ever have. Delicious chocolate with a sweetness and tartness from the cheesecake. It's the perfect combo!
So, for this recipe, I wanted this to be a simple as can be. I know some of my other Halloween treats need a little bit more work (trust me they're worth it). However, I know most of you don't want to put into too much work. Which is why I created this simple recipe. All you need to do is make the brownie base, then the cheesecake, and swirl it together in a pan! It can't get any easier than that.
This brownie recipe is a little bit fudgier than my original brownie recipe, which you can check it out here. But I think it works well in combination with the cheesecake. As for the orange food coloring, I know there are some of you that are not into it, which I can totally understand. As for me, I like using it on special occasions! You can totally skip the food coloring, and it'll still be in the Halloween spirit! Think of it as spiderwebs!
Tips for the best Halloween cheesecake brownies:
- Use the best vegan cream cheese. I used Kite Hill's Plain Cream Cheese.
- Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Why? Dutch-processed cocoa powder gives the brownies a deeper chocolate flavor. And not to mention, it balances out the flavor with the cream cheese.
- Add a hint of instant espresso. Along with the Dutch-processed cocoa powder, adding espresso greatly enhances and intensifies the chocolate flavor. No, it won't make it taste like mocha.
- Cut brownies with a warm knife. Run a sharp knife under hot water between each cut, wiping it clean to prevent any sticking. This is the secret to cutting perfect brownie squares.
If you’d tried this recipe out let me know in the comments! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @flouredframe and don’t forget to tag me when you create my recipes! Happy baking!
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📖 Recipe
Halloween Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients
Brownies:
- 128 grams all-purpose flour
- 30 grams Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 200 grams granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso (optional)
- 200 grams Semi-sweet chocolate, melted (I used Baker’s chocolate)
- 75 grams vegetable oil (or any neutral-tasting oil)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup non-dairy milk, I used soy
Cheesecake:
- 227 grams plain vegan cream cheese (I used Kite Hill)
- 50 grams granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- orange food coloring (optional)
Instructions
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line an 8x8 square baking pan with parchment paper. Have the parchment paper long enough so that it drapes over the sides of the pan. It will serve as a “handle” as you remove the brownies from the pan.
- Prepare the cheesecake layer. In a medium mixing bowl, whip the vegan cream cheese and sugar with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer. Whip until smooth.
- Add in the cornstarch, vanilla extract, and food coloring and mix until well combined. Set aside until ready to use.
- Next, prepare the brownie batter. In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and instant espresso. Then, mix it all together with a whisk.
- Next, in a heat proof bowl combine the oil and chopped chocolate together. Melt it in the microwave, stirring in-between to ensure the chocolate is melted and fully emulsified in the oil.
- Once your chocolate has been melted, add the vanilla extract and non-dairy milk. Combine it with the dry ingredients. Do not over mix, only mix until you do not see any dry flour left. Set aside about ¼ cup of the brownie batter in a small bowl.
- Pour the rest of the batter in the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter.
- Take the ¼ cup of the reserved brownie batter and drop it/drizzle it over the cheesecake layer. Using a knife or a toothpick, swirl around the cheesecake mixture around the brownie batter.
- Bake it for 35-40 minutes or until the center of the brownies no longer jiggles and is set to touch.
- Remove the brownies from the oven. Let it cool in the pan for about 20 minutes. It will continue to bake in the hot pan when it is out of the oven.
- After about 20 minutes, carefully remove them out of the pan and allow them to finish cooling on a wire rack. Let it be completely cool before slicing!
Notes
- A common reason baked goods fail is incorrectly measured flour. I always recommend using a scale for accuracy when baking. This greatly improves your chance for success and lessens room for error. My recipes are 100% tested in grams.
- However, if you’re measuring by cups, avoid scooping the measuring cup directly into the flour. This tends to pack the flour into the cup, resulting in too much flour and a very dense or gummy finished product. Instead, aerate your flour (fluff it with a fork or spoon) and then spoon it into your measuring cups, leveling it with your finger or the back of a butter knife. Keep in mind though, this method is not guaranteed to be accurate.
- Watch this video from King Arthur on how to properly measure your flour if you don’t have a food scale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUSovVHpqsU
- Store in an airtight container and place it in the fridge.
- They will also keep well in the freezer for about a month.
Winnie says
I enjoyed making these! My batter hardened quickly tho so it made it hard to spread bottom and the top layer after the cream cheese. Any tips?
Corinne says
The recipe end result was great and I would definitely make it again! I found I had to bake for about 15 extra minutes though to get my cheesecake top more set, but I used tofutti, there may be some variation in time needed between brands. The extra time did not hurt the brownie section, it may be the best brownie recipe I've used.
Floured Frame says
I'm so glad you enjoyed making this recipe! And that's a good note to point out about the different brands for the cream cheese, thank you!