Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These brownies bring together two classic favorites rich brownies and creamy cheesecake elevated with a Halloween twist. The fudgy base pairs perfectly with the soft cheesecake ghosts, and chocolate chips add playful detail. Despite their impressive look, they’re surprisingly easy to make with a boxed brownie mix.

Ingredients

1 box fudge brownie mix
3 eggs
1/4 cup water
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Cheesecake Batter:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar

Brownie Assembly:

Mini chocolate chips
Chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, prepare the brownie mix according to package instructions, replacing the oil with melted butter. Stir in eggs and water until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
In another bowl, beat together cream cheese, egg, vanilla extract, flour, and sugar until smooth and creamy.
Transfer the cheesecake batter to a piping bag or a plastic bag with a small corner snipped off. Pipe ghost shapes onto the brownie batter.
Use mini chocolate chips or regular chocolate chips to create eyes and mouths on the cheesecake ghosts.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until brownies are set and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are fine).
Allow to cool completely before slicing into squares and serving.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 12–16 brownies
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Cooling time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Variations

Use a dark chocolate brownie mix for a richer flavor.
Add orange food coloring to the cheesecake batter for a festive pumpkin effect.
Swap mini chocolate chips for candy eyes for a fun ghost look.
Drizzle melted white chocolate over cooled brownies for extra decoration.

Storage/Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Serve at room temperature for the best flavor. These brownies can also be frozen for up to 2 months wrap tightly in plastic and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

FAQs

Can I use homemade brownies instead of a boxed mix?
Yes, your favorite homemade brownie recipe works perfectly.

Do I have to use clear vanilla extract?
Clear vanilla keeps the cheesecake bright white, but regular vanilla works too.

How do I pipe the cheesecake ghosts neatly?
Use a piping bag with a medium round tip or a plastic bag with a small corner snipped off.

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare them a day ahead and refrigerate until serving.

What size pan is best?
A 9×13-inch pan works best, but a smaller pan will give thicker brownies—adjust baking time as needed.

Conclusion

Ghost Cheesecake Brownies are a fun, festive way to celebrate Halloween. With their fudgy base, creamy ghost topping, and chocolate chip faces, they’re a hit for kids and adults alike. Easy to make and highly customizable, these brownies will bring spooky delight to your dessert table.

Ghost Cheesecake Brownies