Oh my gosh – you have to try these Halloween Brimstone Brownies! They’re my absolute favorite spooky season treat, and I’ve been making them every October since my kids were little. Picture this: rich, fudgy brownies with a surprise blood-red cheesecake layer peeking through – it’s like edible Halloween magic.
What I love most? They start with a simple boxed brownie mix (no shame in that game!), but the red cheesecake swirl takes them to a whole new level of festive fun. I’ll never forget the first time I made these for my daughter’s Halloween party – the kids went wild for that “lava” effect when they bit into them!
Trust me, these aren’t your ordinary brownies. That bright red layer makes them perfect for haunted houses, trick-or-treat parties, or just a fun baking project with the kids. And the best part? They’re seriously easy to make. If you can mix boxed brownies and beat cream cheese, you’re already halfway there!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Halloween Brimstone Brownies
Listen, I don’t mess around when it comes to Halloween treats—these brownies are the whole package. Here’s why everyone goes nuts for them:
- Spooky-easy: Boxed brownie mix does most of the work—just add that killer red cheesecake swirl and you’ve got a showstopper with barely any effort. (Pssst… I won’t tell if you don’t!)
- Total crowd-pleaser: Kids scream (in a good way) when they slice into the “lava” center, and adults secretly swipe seconds when no one’s looking. Party win!
- Best of both worlds: Fudgy brownie meets creamy cheesecake? Yeah, it’s as magical as it sounds. The chocolate chips add little crunchy surprises too.
- Halloween vibes for days: That blood-red layer peeking through black-brownie cracks? Instantly festive—no fancy decorating skills needed.
Seriously, these disappear faster than candy corn at a haunted house. You’ve been warned!
Ingredients for Halloween Brimstone Brownies
Okay, let’s talk ingredients—this is where the magic starts! You’ll need:
- 1 box brownie mix (plus whatever it calls for—usually 1 egg, water, and oil. I use the fudgy kind because… duh.)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes—no one wants lumpy cheesecake!)
- 1 egg (room temp blends smoother)
- ½ cup powdered sugar (pack it in there—this sweetens the “lava” layer just right)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (the good stuff—it makes the cheesecake sing)
- ½ cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark for that grown-up edge)
- Red gel food coloring (trust me, gel gives that blood-red oomph—liquid makes it pink)
- Black gel food coloring (for spooky dark brownies—a few drops go a long way)
See? Mostly pantry staples with a Halloween twist. Now let’s make some magic!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry—you probably have everything already! Here’s the short list:
- 8×8 inch baking pan (the perfect size for gooey, thick brownies)
- Electric mixer (for that silky-smooth cheesecake layer—a fork just won’t cut it)
- Foil or parchment paper (lifesaver for clean slices—no stuck-on brownie disasters!)
- Rubber spatula (for swooping every last bit of batter into the pan)
- Small bowls (one for mixing colors, one for chocolate chips—keep it organized!)
That’s it! Now let’s get spooky.
How to Make Halloween Brimstone Brownies
Alright, let’s do this! These steps are foolproof—I’ve made this recipe so many times I could do it in my sleep. Just follow along, and you’ll have spooky-perfect brownies in no time.
Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Batter
First, preheat your oven to 350°F—no shortcuts here, or your layers won’t bake evenly. Mix the brownie batter according to the box directions (egg, oil, water—easy!). Now for the fun part: add black gel food coloring a few drops at a time until you get a deep, eerie black. Mix gently—overmixing makes tough brownies, and nobody wants that!
Step 2: Make the Red Cheesecake Layer
Grab your softened cream cheese and beat it with powdered sugar until smooth (lumps are the enemy!). Add the egg and vanilla, then whip it all together until creamy. Now, drop by drop, add red gel food coloring until it’s that perfect, bloody-red shade. Pro tip: Add a tiny bit, mix, then add more—you can always go darker, but you can’t undo it!
Step 3: Layer and Bake
Line your pan with foil or parchment (trust me, it’s a lifesaver). Spread two-thirds of the black batter in the pan, then sprinkle with chocolate chips—they’ll melt into gooey pockets of joy. Now, carefully spoon the red cheesecake layer over the chips. Use a spatula to spread it gently—don’t swirl or you’ll lose that dramatic “lava” effect! Top with the remaining brownie batter, covering as much red as possible (a few peekaboo spots are fine).
Bake for 33-35 minutes—the edges should be set, but the center might still jiggle slightly. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). Let them cool completely before cutting—this part is torture, but rushing = messy slices. A hot knife wiped clean between cuts gives you those Instagram-worthy edges!
Tips for Perfect Halloween Brimstone Brownies
Okay, let me spill my secrets—these little tricks make all the difference between good brownies and legendary ones!
- Gel food coloring is non-negotiable. That liquid stuff turns the cheesecake layer pink instead of creepy crimson. A tiny tube lasts forever!
- Patience pays off. I know it’s hard, but let them cool completely—warm brownies tear into a gooey mess. Pop them in the fridge if you’re in a hurry.
- Hot knife = clean cuts. Run your knife under hot water, wipe it dry, and slice. Repeat between cuts for those sharp edges that make people go “Ooooh!”
- Store in the fridge. The cheesecake layer stays happy for 3-4 days in an airtight container (if they last that long!).
There you go—now go make some edible Halloween magic!
Serving and Storage Suggestions
These Halloween Brimstone Brownies are showstoppers all on their own, but a dollop of whipped cream on top makes them extra spooky-fun (pipe it into little ghost shapes if you’re feeling fancy!). For storage, just pop them in an airtight container in the fridge—they’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days… if they last that long without getting devoured!
Print
Spooky Halloween Brimstone Brownies in 35 Minutes
Halloween Brimstone Brownies are a spooky twist on classic brownies with a red cheesecake layer for a festive treat.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9 brownies 1x
Ingredients
- 1 box of Brownie Mix – 1 egg, water, and oil
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- red food coloring
- black food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
- Mix up the brownie batter according to instructions.
- Tint the brownie batter with black food coloring.
- Prepare an 8 x 8 pan with foil or parchment paper.
- Spray with cooking oil spray.
- Cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar with an electric mixer.
- Add egg and vanilla to cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth.
- Add drops of red food coloring to achieve a bright red color.
- Layer two thirds of the brownie batter into the pan.
- Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.
- Delicately spoon red cheesecake batter over the top of chocolate chips.
- Use a spatula to carefully spread out cheesecake batter and avoid swirling it into brownie batter.
- Take the last one third of the brownie batter and pour it over the red cheesecake batter. Cover the red layer as much as possible.
- Bake for 33-35 minutes, until the middle is not jiggly and a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting with a hot clean knife.
- Serve as is or topped with whipped cream.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors.
- Let brownies cool completely before cutting for clean slices.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Halloween Brimstone Brownies FAQs
I get asked these questions all the time—here’s everything you need to know about these spooky treats!
Can I use homemade brownie batter instead of boxed mix?
Absolutely! My go-to is a box for convenience, but if you’ve got a favorite from-scratch recipe, use it. Just make sure it’s enough for an 8×8 pan—and don’t forget to tint it black for that eerie look.
How long do these brownies last?
They’ll keep in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container. The cheesecake layer stays creamy, and the flavors actually deepen overnight. (Pro tip: Let them sit at room temp for 10 minutes before serving—cold brownies are sad brownies!)
Can I freeze them?
You bet! Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight—they’ll taste just-baked.
My red layer turned pink—what happened?
Ah, you probably used liquid food coloring instead of gel. Gel gives that vibrant “blood” color, while liquid dilutes the cheesecake. Next time, grab the gel—it’s a game-changer!
Can I make these nut-free?
Of course! Just skip the chocolate chips or check that your brownie mix doesn’t contain nuts. They’re just as delicious without—perfect for school parties.
Nutritional Information
Just a heads up—nutrition can vary based on your specific ingredients and brands. But for a general idea, each spooky brownie square comes out to about 280 calories, with 14g fat (that rich cheesecake layer, baby!) and 35g carbs. Not exactly health food, but hey—it’s Halloween! Everything in moderation, right?
Share Your Spooky Creations
I live for your Halloween kitchen adventures! Did you add a twist to these brownies? Maybe some orange sprinkles or bat-shaped chocolate chips? Snap a pic and tag me—I want to see your spooky masterpieces! Drop a comment below with your favorite Halloween baking memories too. Happy haunting, bakers!
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