Step 1: Make the Brownie Batter

1. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal, and lightly grease the parchment paper.

2. Melt the Butter and Chocolate:

In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter and semi-sweet chocolate together, stirring frequently until smooth and fully melted. Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly.

3. Add the Sugars:

Once the chocolate mixture has cooled slightly, whisk in the granulated sugar and brown sugar until smooth and fully combined.

4. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:

Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and shiny.

5. Mix the Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can make the brownies tough.

6. Add Optional Mix-Ins:

If you’re adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips, gently fold them into the brownie batter at this point.

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Swirl

1. Beat the Cream Cheese:

In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.

2. Add the Egg and Vanilla:

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.

3. Add Food Coloring:

Add a few drops of orange food coloring to the cream cheese mixture and stir until the color is evenly distributed. You can adjust the amount of food coloring depending on how vibrant you want the orange swirl to be.

Step 3: Assemble the Brownies

1. Layer the Batter:

Pour about 2/3 of the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.

2. Add the Cream Cheese Swirl:

Dollop the orange cream cheese mixture on top of the brownie batter in spoonfuls. Use the back of a spoon or a knife to swirl the cream cheese mixture into the brownie batter, creating a marbled effect.

3. Add the Remaining Brownie Batter:

Drop the remaining brownie batter on top in small spoonfuls, then gently swirl it into the cream cheese mixture to create a marbled design. Be careful not to over-swirl, as you want the orange and chocolate layers to remain distinct.

Step 4: Bake the Brownies

1. Bake the Brownies:

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs. The brownies should be set around the edges but still slightly gooey in the center.

2. Cool Completely:

Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan and onto a cutting board.

Step 5: Decorate the Brownies

1. Add Spooky Decorations:

For a fun Halloween twist, decorate the brownies with candy eyes, Halloween sprinkles, or black gel icing. You can draw spider webs, ghosts, or other spooky designs on the surface of the brownies using the gel icing.

2. Crush Oreos for Extra Spookiness:

For an extra spooky effect, crush some Oreos or chocolate cookies and sprinkle them on top of the brownies to create a “dirt” effect. Add candy eyes or small chocolate chips to the “dirt” for a haunted graveyard look.

3. Let the Decorations Set:

Allow any gel icing or decorations to set for about 10-15 minutes before slicing the brownies into squares.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Once decorated, slice the brownies into squares and serve. These Halloween Swirl Cream Cheese Brownies are best enjoyed fresh, but they’ll keep for a few days at room temperature or in the fridge. Serve them as part of a Halloween dessert table, pack them up as treats for trick-or-treaters, or simply enjoy them with a glass of milk or a hot cup of cocoa.