{recipe} cream cheese brownies for halloween

We are 7 days from Halloween and we still haven’t decided on our costumes. Me personally, I own three costumes and will start recycling them this year. We have a high employee turnover at my work that I figured, if I wear a costume I’ve worn 3 years ago, nobody is around to remember it.

I had three years of Halloween where I could dress my little man whatever I wanted, without him having an opinion on it. This year is the first year where he is old enough to choose what he wants.  He wants to wear a Pirate costume again, same as last year. I have a few pirate costumes coming in the mail in the next few days.

This time last year, we’ve already worn our costumes about 2-3 times at different Halloween themed event. This year, we haven’t had to attend a Halloween event yet. We have 2 events coming up, not including Halloween night where we go trick-or-treating in our neighborhood.  This year’s Halloween feels less festive, it could be that Halloween is on a Monday this year?

I made this cream cheese brownies at our Halloween party last year and it was a hit. It wasn’t too sweet and the creamy cheese portion was an added bonus. It was also cool to look at with the brown and orange swirls.

Cream Cheese Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 brownie mix with ingredients required in mix (I like Ghirardelli brand)

Cream cheese layer:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 5 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons flour
• orange food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix your favorite brownie mix by hand. Spread ½ of the wet brownie mixture in 9 x 13 inch pan sprayed with cooking spray.
2. In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese, butter, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, and flour and mix well. Add orange food coloring to desired color.
3. Spread cream cheese mixture on top. Drop remaining brownie batter on top and pull a knife through. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.