Halloween is the season of costumes, candy overload, and of course, unforgettable desserts. And right at the top of the list? Halloween Brookies. If you’ve never heard of them before, let me introduce you to your new favorite holiday indulgence. Halloween Brookies are the perfect mash-up of rich, fudgy brownies and chewy cookies, loaded with festive Halloween M&Ms and spooky sugar cookie cutouts. They’re one of those easy Halloween treats that look like you spent hours baking, but really only take a few minutes of prep time.
Whether you’re planning a big Halloween party, baking for your kids’ school event, or just want a sweet snack for your scary movie night, these brookies check every box. Let’s dive into why this Halloween dessert deserves a spot on your table this fall.
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Why Halloween Brookies Are a Must-Bake This Season
So why should Halloween Brookies be on your radar? For starters, they’re ridiculously simple to make. You don’t need to be a pastry chef or spend all day in the kitchen. A box of brownie mix, a package of premade Halloween cookie dough, and a bag of candy-coated chocolates are all you need.
These brookies are also insanely versatile. Hosting a Halloween bake sale? They’ll be the first item to sell out. Need Halloween snacks for kids? They’re colorful, fun, and completely kid-friendly. Planning an adults-only Halloween bash? Trust me, even grown-ups can’t resist a square of chewy, chocolatey brookie goodness.
Compared to other Halloween desserts like spider cookies, pumpkin-shaped cupcakes, or ghost meringues, Halloween Brookies deliver big flavor without all the fuss. They’re one of those Halloween cookie bars that make you feel festive without the stress.
Ingredients for Halloween Brookies
Here’s everything you need to whip up a batch of these spooky brownies:
- 1 box of brownie mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as required on package)
- 1 package of premade Halloween sugar cookie dough (ghosts, pumpkins, bats—whatever fun shapes you can find)
- 1 bag of Halloween M&Ms or any candy-coated chocolates in orange, purple, and green colors
- Optional: festive sprinkles, candy eyeballs, or chocolate chips
Ingredient Notes
- Brownie Mix: Go for a fudgy style brownie mix for best results. If you love rich, dense brownies, you’ll want that gooey base.
- Cookies: Halloween sugar cookie dough adds the “spooky” effect. If you can’t find the themed ones, regular sugar cookie dough with orange and black sprinkles works too.
- Candies: M&Ms are a Halloween classic, but you can toss in leftover trick-or-treat candy for a fun twist. Reese’s Pieces, chopped candy bars, or candy corn can all work.
This simple list makes Halloween Brookies one of the best easy Halloween treats for busy parents, students, or anyone who wants festive baked goods without a long shopping list.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Halloween Brookies
Making Halloween Brookies is straightforward, and trust me—you won’t mess it up. Here’s the step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Step 2: Mix the Brownie Batter
Prepare the brownie mix according to the instructions on the box. Usually, it means stirring together the mix, eggs, oil, and water until smooth.
Step 3: Add Some Candy
Fold in about ¼ cup of Halloween M&Ms into the batter for pops of color inside the brownies.
Step 4: Spread Batter into the Pan
Pour the brownie mixture into your prepared pan and smooth out the top with a spatula.
Step 5: Add Cookie Dough
Take your Halloween sugar cookie dough and place about 15 pieces evenly on top of the brownie batter. These will bake right into the brownies, creating that brookie magic.
Step 6: Decorate with More Candy
Sprinkle extra M&Ms or festive sprinkles across the top. If you have candy eyeballs, this is where you place them for a fun monster look.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 28–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs (not totally clean). This keeps the brownies fudgy and not dry.
Step 8: Cool and Slice
Let your Halloween Brookies cool completely before slicing. Pro tip: use a plastic knife—it cuts through brownies without sticking.
And just like that, you’ve got one of the best Halloween baking ideas ready to impress your family and friends.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips for Halloween Brookies
The beauty of Halloween Brookies is that they can be made in advance. Bake them a day or two before your Halloween event, let them cool, and store them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for up to four days.
If you need to prep further ahead, you can freeze your brookies. Simply slice them, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to serve, thaw at room temperature. This makes them a fantastic choice for Halloween bake sale ideas or party prep when you don’t want to stress at the last minute.
Fun Variations on Halloween Brookies
Want to take your Halloween Brookies to the next level? Try these festive twists:
- Candy-Filled Brookies: Toss in chopped-up candy bars or leftover trick-or-treat candy. Think Snickers, Kit Kats, or Twix inside your brookie layers.
- Pumpkin Spice Twist: Swap the sugar cookie dough for pumpkin spice cookie dough for a fall holiday dessert flavor.
- Monster Eye Brookies: Add candy eyeballs on top before baking for a spooky, kid-friendly Halloween recipe.
- Spiderweb Design: Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top in a web pattern for dramatic effect.
For more fun baking projects, check out our recipes for fudgy chewy brookies, red velvet brownies, and red velvet cheesecake brownies.
Related recipes
If you’re building a Halloween dessert spread, don’t stop at brookies. Here are some other party-worthy recipes from our collection:
- Christmas cookie bars (swap the colors for Halloween sprinkles)
- churro cheesecake bars
- strawberry lemon blondies
- chocolate dipped strawberries
- sugar cookies
- whoopie pies
These recipes all complement Halloween Brookies and give you a full lineup of family-friendly Halloween snacks.
Print
Halloween Brookies
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Description
Halloween Brookies are the ultimate mash-up of fudgy brownies and chewy cookies, loaded with festive Halloween M&Ms and spooky sugar cookie cutouts. They’re the perfect easy Halloween dessert that looks festive and tastes amazing.
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix (+ required package ingredients)
- 1 package Halloween sugar cookie dough
- 1 cup Halloween M&Ms (1/4 cup in batter, 3/4 cup on top)
- Optional: festive sprinkles, candy eyeballs, or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or line a 9×13 pan.
- Prepare brownie batter per package instructions.
- Stir in ¼ cup of M&Ms. Spread into the prepared pan.
- Place 15 cookie dough balls evenly on top of brownie batter.
- Sprinkle remaining M&Ms across the top.
- Bake 28–30 minutes until a toothpick has a few crumbs.
- Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
For best results, use a fudgy brownie mix and themed Halloween cookie dough. You can swap in chopped candy bars, Reese’s Pieces, or candy eyeballs for fun variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Final Thoughts on Halloween Brookies
Halloween Brookies are the kind of dessert that makes everyone smile—kids, parents, and even the busy college student who “doesn’t bake.” They’re festive, simple, and full of chocolatey goodness. Whether you need a quick Halloween party dessert or just a cozy fall holiday treat, this brookie recipe delivers every single time.
So grab your box of brownie mix, your spooky cookies, and that colorful bag of M&Ms. Whip up a batch of Halloween Brookies, and get ready for the compliments to roll in. And when you try them, don’t forget to leave a comment and tell us how yours turned out!
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