Halloween Brownies

Yield: 36 brownies

Ingredients

• Brownie layer
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup flour
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 2/3 tsp salt
• 1/3 tsp baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 1/4 tsp vanilla
• Cream cheese layer
• 1 1/4 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 egg + 1 yolk
• 2/3 tsp vanilla
• Orange food coloring

Directions

1. For the brownies, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder in a mixing bowl.  Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, oil, and vanilla.  Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk just until combined.
3. Reserve 1/3 cup of the brownie mixture, and pour the rest into a 9" x 9" baking dish.  Set aside.
• You may want to line the baking dish with parchment paper so that it's easier to remove the brownies.
4. In a clean mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese and sugar.  Add the egg and vanilla, and mix until smooth.  Add enough orange food coloring to reach desired color.
5. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter.
6. Drop the reserved 1/3 cup of brownie mixture by tablespoonfuls on top of the cream cheese layer.  Use a knife to swirl together.
7. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Cool on a wire rack.
8. Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Pop them out of the pan, cut into squares, and serve.

Adapted from Persnickety Plates.