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Decadent Black Sesame Cream Cheese Spider Web Brownies

black sesame cream cheese spider web brownies - featured image
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These rich, fudgy brownies feature a unique black sesame flavor paired with a creamy cream cheese swirl in a festive spider web pattern, perfect for Halloween.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1/3 cup (35g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons black sesame seeds, toasted and finely ground
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) milk (optional, to loosen cream cheese mixture)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. Toast black sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly darker. Remove immediately and let cool. Grind finely using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
  3. In a bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, salt, and ground black sesame seeds. Set aside.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter and granulated sugar until just combined. Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients with a spatula until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
  6. Beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk (if needed) until smooth and creamy.
  7. Pour brownie batter into prepared pan and smooth the surface. Dollop cream cheese mixture in about 8 large spoonfuls evenly spaced on top.
  8. Using a toothpick or skewer, drag horizontally and vertically through cream cheese spots to connect them, then drag diagonally between intersections to create a spider web pattern.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
  10. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting out with parchment and cutting.

Notes

Toast and grind black sesame seeds freshly for best flavor. Use softened cream cheese for smooth swirl and chill if swirl spreads too much. Avoid overbaking to keep cream cheese creamy. For gluten-free, substitute almond flour for all-purpose flour. Vegan adaptations include coconut oil, flax eggs, and dairy-free cream cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: black sesame brownies, cream cheese swirl, Halloween dessert, spider web brownies, fudgy brownies, easy brownies, festive dessert

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/decadent-black-sesame-cream-cheese-spider-web-brownies-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-halloween/