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Spider Web Brownies

Spider Web Brownies

The Crispy Chef
These fudgy Halloween brownies are topped with cream cheese or white chocolate and decorated with a simple yet stunning spider web swirl. The visual impact is high — the effort, shockingly low.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 squares
Calories 275 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x9 inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowls
  • Toothpick or skewer For swirling the web pattern
  • Microwave-safe bowl For melting chocolate

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional)
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 egg (for topping)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for topping)
  • ¼ cup melted chocolate (for web)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9 inch pan with parchment paper leaving overhang on two sides.
  • Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder in a bowl.
  • In another bowl, whisk melted butter with both sugars. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and espresso powder. Fold in dry ingredients, then fold in chocolate chips.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Set aside while preparing topping.
  • In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar. Add egg and vanilla, mix until smooth and pourable.
  • Pour topping over brownie batter and spread evenly. Pipe concentric circles of melted chocolate on top.
  • Use a toothpick to drag lines from center to edge to create spider web. Clean toothpick between each drag.
  • Bake for 30–35 minutes until edges are set and center jiggles slightly. Cool completely in pan before cutting.
  • Lift brownies using parchment and cut into squares with clean knife. Serve at room temp or chilled.

Notes

Use cream cheese for tang or white chocolate for sweetness. For best swirls, drag a toothpick from the center outwards while topping is still soft. Let brownies cool completely before cutting for clean lines. Store covered at room temp up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Nutrition

Calories: 275kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 140mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 350IUCalcium: 40mgIron: 2.1mg
Keyword Cream cheese brownies, easy halloween recipe, halloween dessert, spider web brownies
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