Description
This spooky Brain Dip is a perfect Halloween treat featuring a creamy red velvet cake base mixed with cream cheese and butter, topped with smooth cream cheese frosting piped to resemble a realistic brain. Served with ladyfinger cookies for dipping, it combines rich flavors and a creepy presentation that’s sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Brain Dip Base
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- Red food coloring (to desired shade)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups dry red velvet cake mix
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red gel food coloring (for vibrant color)
For Serving
- Ladyfinger cookies (for dipping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dip Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup unsalted butter and 3 ounces cream cheese, both softened, until smooth and creamy. Add 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, mixing well to incorporate. Gradually add red food coloring until the mixture reaches a deep red hue resembling blood.
- Make the Red Velvet Cake Mixture: In a separate bowl, blend 8 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup softened salted butter, 1 1/2 cups dry red velvet cake mix, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients form a thick, spreadable batter. Add red gel food coloring as needed for a rich red color.
- Combine and Chill: Fold the red velvet cake mixture into the first cream cheese mixture gently until well combined. Transfer the dip into a shallow serving bowl, smoothing the surface evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the texture to firm slightly.
- Prepare the Brain Frosting: Use additional cream cheese frosting made by mixing cream cheese with powdered sugar and a bit of butter until fluffy and pipeable. Tint with red gel food coloring to a desired pinkish-red tone.
- Pipe the Brain Design: Using a piping bag fitted with a small round tip, pipe the cream cheese frosting over the chilled dip in winding layers following the brain’s natural folds and wrinkles. This will create a realistic brain effect.
- Serve: Present the brain dip with ladyfinger cookies arranged around the serving dish for dipping. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Notes
- This brain dip uses a cream cheese and red velvet cake mix base for a rich and creamy texture.
- Adjust the amount of red food coloring to achieve your preferred brain color.
- Ladyfinger cookies are ideal dippers because of their firm yet light texture that complements the dip.
- Chill the dip well before piping the brain design to help the frosting set properly.
- This recipe is perfect for Halloween parties and adds a fun, spooky visual element.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
