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Best Black Cocoa Halloween Brownies With Orange Frosting

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Deep, dark black cocoa brownies with a crackly top and fudgy center, topped with a bright, tangy orange cream cheese frosting. The perfect Halloween dessert that tastes as good as it looks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • ¾ cup (75g) black cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar, sifted if clumpy
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest (from about 1 large orange)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • A few drops orange gel food coloring
  • A tiny pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches of overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease the parchment with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the 1 cup of butter in 30-second bursts, stirring in between. Let it cool slightly if too hot.
  3. Whisk the granulated sugar into the melted butter until combined. Let it sit for about 2 minutes.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, black cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder until no lumps remain.
  6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Fold with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined (about 20 strokes). The batter will be thick and very dark.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 22-26 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then lift out and cool completely (about 1 hour).
  8. For the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, orange zest, orange juice, a tiny pinch of salt, and a few drops of orange gel food coloring. Beat on low until combined, then on medium for 1 minute until fluffy.
  9. Once brownies are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top using an offset spatula. Add Halloween sprinkles, candy eyeballs, or a dusting of black cocoa powder if desired.
  10. Slice into 24 squares using a sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts. Serve at room temperature.

Notes

Don’t overbake; use toothpick test. Room temperature ingredients matter. Black cocoa is less acidic and gives an Oreo-like flavor. Always zest orange before juicing. Let brownies cool completely before frosting. Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without thinning frosting.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween brownies, black cocoa brownies, orange frosting, spooky dessert, fudgy brownies, cream cheese frosting

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