Name: The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter; 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar; 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 3 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup cocoa powder (sifted if lumpy); 1 Tablespoon cornstarch; 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips; 3/4 teaspoon sea salt; Halloween M&Ms; Sprinkles; Candy eyeballs

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 25 reviews

There’s something so fun and festive about baking treats for Halloween, and if you’re looking for a showstopper, you’ve got to try The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe. These brownies are fudgy, chocolatey, and adorned with fun Halloween candies that immediately bring out the spooky spirit. I’ve made these a bunch of times, and trust me—they always disappear fast at parties and family gatherings. So, whether you’re baking for kids or adults, these brownies hit the mark every time. Keep reading, and I’ll walk you through every step to help you bake these like a pro!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfectly fudgy texture: The combo of butter, oil, and just the right amount of flour creates brownies that are moist but not cakey.
Deep chocolate flavor: Cocoa powder mixed with melting dark chocolate chips amps up the rich taste.
Fun festive toppings: Halloween M&Ms and candy eyeballs turn a classic brownie into a party centerpiece.
Easy and forgiving method: The microwave butter-sugar step saves time, and simple folding ensures anyone can nail it.

The Best Halloween Brownies, Halloween Brownies, festive Halloween treats, fudgy chocolate brownies, Halloween dessert ideas - A square, thick chocolate brownie sits on a sheet of white parchment paper inside a white baking pan. The brownie has a rich brown color with a slightly cracked top, scattered generously with colorful round purple, green, and orange candy-coated chocolates. There are also small black, orange, green, and purple sprinkles, along with a few small white candy shapes and pairs of candy eyeballs spread unevenly across the surface. The brownie edges are firm and the texture appears dense and fudgy. The baking pan rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients, each playing a key role to yield moist, rich, and festive brownies. Here’s a quick peek at what makes each one shine.

The Best Halloween Brownies, Halloween Brownies, festive Halloween treats, fudgy chocolate brownies, Halloween dessert ideas - Flat lay of glossy dark chocolate chips clustered next to rich cocoa powder in a soft brown mound, smooth golden vegetable oil pooling gently beside a cracked raw egg with vibrant orange yolk visible, a stick of creamy unsalted butter partially melted with soft edges, bright white granulated sugar sparkling lightly, a neat pile of pale all-purpose flour contrasted with fine white cornstarch, colorful Halloween M&M candies in shades of orange, green, black, and purple scattered playfully alongside whimsical white candy eyeballs with black centers, all thoughtfully arranged with natural shadows and highlights, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Unsalted butter: Melting this with sugar creates a luscious base that adds richness without overpowering the chocolate.
Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness that balances the intense cocoa; melting with butter helps it dissolve for smooth batter.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the brownies moist and fudgy even after baking.
Large eggs: Bind the mixture, add structure, and contribute to that tender crumb texture.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the chocolate’s natural flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
All-purpose flour: Just enough to hold everything together without making the brownies cakey or dense.
Cocoa powder: Gives a deep chocolate bite; sifting ensures no lumps ruin that smooth batter.
Cornstarch: Helps improve the brownie’s tenderness by making the texture a bit softer and less chewy.
Dark chocolate chips: These melt slightly during baking, providing gooey pockets of chocolate yum.
Sea salt: A pinch to boost all the flavors and keep the sweetness from becoming one-dimensional.
Halloween M&Ms and candy eyeballs: For the festive finishing touch that makes the brownies a total conversation piece.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how versatile this recipe is—honestly, the base is so good you can get creative without risking a bad batch. I often switch up the toppings or throw in some chopped nuts for added crunch. Feel free to make it your own and use this recipe as your Halloween brownie canvas!

Variation: I once added a swirl of peanut butter on top before baking, and it was heavenly—a nice balance of salty and sweet.
Dietary tweak: Substitute gluten-free flour 1:1 if needed; the texture changes slightly but still delicious.
Seasonal change: Instead of Halloween candy, try peppermint or white chocolate chips for a winter holiday twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe

Step 1: Set up your pan and preheat

First things first—preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line an 8×8 inch pan with foil or parchment, making sure there’s some overhang so you can lift the brownies out easily later. Don’t forget to spray it with nonstick spray, or your brownies might stick and break apart when you remove them. Getting this step right makes your life so much easier when it’s time to slice and serve.

Step 2: Make the buttery sugar base

Combine the butter and sugar in a microwave-safe bowl and zap it for about a minute until the butter is melted. Give it a good stir with the vegetable oil until smooth. This step is a shortcut I adore because it melts the sugar just enough to create a shiny, almost caramel-like gloss in the batter—this is the secret behind those shiny, crackly brownie tops.

Step 3: Whisk in eggs and vanilla

Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until your mix looks glossy and smooth, without lumps of egg white. It will almost look like a chocolatey mousse at this point. Whenever I skip whisking well here, the texture can be uneven so take your time for a smooth batter.

Step 4: Add dry ingredients gently

Sift the flour, cocoa powder, and cornstarch together—lumps in cocoa will definitely show up in your brownies, so this step really helps. Fold them into the wet mixture along with the sea salt, stirring just until everything comes together. Overmixing is a rookie mistake I’ve made; it tightens gluten making the brownies less tender, so go slow!

Step 5: Fold in chocolate chips and spread batter

Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips—it’s so fun seeing those pockets of melty goodness in the final bake. Pour everything evenly into your pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Even thickness means even baking—and no dry edges or gooey centers.

Step 6: Add your Halloween toppings

This is where you bring out the party! Sprinkle Halloween M&Ms and candy eyeballs generously across the top. Not only do they add color and charm, but they also give a surprise crunch in every bite. If you want, press them down slightly so they stick in the batter while baking.

Step 7: Bake and cool completely

Bake the brownies for about 30 minutes, but start checking around 25. You want a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the middle to come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. Underbaking is better than overbaking here because you want fudgy brownies. After baking, cool them fully in the pan—this sets the brownies and helps them slice cleanly. I sometimes chill mine for an hour to get perfect squares.

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Pro Tips for Making The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe

Use parchment with an overhang: It makes lifting the brownies from the pan a breeze and keeps the edges intact.
Don’t skip sifting the cocoa: It really makes a difference for a smooth batter and consistent texture.
Add oil along with melted butter: This combo keeps the brownies moist longer than butter alone.
Avoid overbaking: Check a few minutes early—every extra minute can change the texture drastically.

How to Serve The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe

The Best Halloween Brownies, Halloween Brownies, festive Halloween treats, fudgy chocolate brownies, Halloween dessert ideas - The image shows three stacked chocolate brownies with a soft, crumbly texture. Each brownie is dark brown and decorated on top with colorful candy pieces in green, orange, purple, and white, along with small orange, black, green, and purple sprinkles scattered across. The top layer has a slightly cracked surface revealing the rich, dense inside. The brownies are on a white marbled surface, and in the background, there is a white bowl with a black stripe filled with white candy pieces. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually stick with candy eyeballs and Halloween-themed M&Ms because they bring that instant festive look. Sometimes I add a drizzle of orange or purple tinted white chocolate for a little extra WOW factor, especially if I’m serving at a party.

Side Dishes

These brownies go perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to cool down the rich chocolate. For drinks, a hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk pairs beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween parties, I like arranging the brownies on a platter lined with faux spider webs and plastic spiders for that spook factor. Another cute idea: cut them into mini squares and stick festive toothpicks or tiny spider rings in each bite-sized piece—guaranteed to be a hit with kids and adults alike.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover brownies in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh and moist. They reliably stay good for 2-3 days, although in my house they rarely last that long!

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze these brownies! I wrap them tightly in plastic then foil, and store in a freezer-safe container. When thawed overnight in the fridge, they taste almost as good as fresh. It’s perfect for making ahead before a big Halloween bash.

Reheating

To warm leftover brownies, I pop them in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. If you want to get a bit fancy, serve them with a scoop of ice cream right after reheating for an indulgent treat.

FAQs

Can I make The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe nut-free?

Absolutely! This recipe doesn’t call for nuts, so it’s naturally nut-free. Just double-check your toppings and chocolate chips to ensure no cross-contamination if you have strict allergy concerns.
What if I don’t have candy eyeballs?

No worries! You can substitute with any spooky Halloween candies like gummy worms, candy pumpkins, or colored sprinkles to keep the fun vibe without the eyes.
How do I know when these brownies are perfectly baked?

Use a toothpick or cake tester in the center—pull it out, and if you see moist crumbs (not wet batter), they’re done. If it comes out dry, you might have overbaked them and lost some of that fudgy goodness.
Can I use dark chocolate chunks instead of chips?

Yes, dark chocolate chunks work great if you prefer larger pockets of melted chocolate. Just fold them in gently to avoid breaking the batter’s texture.
Is it okay to use melted chocolate instead of cocoa powder?

You could try, but this recipe depends on the cocoa powder for structure and intensity. Using melted chocolate alone may require adjusting the fat and flour ratio, so I recommend sticking to the original ingredients for best results.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe has become my go-to for spooky season because it’s straightforward, delicious, and always impresses whoever gets a piece. There’s nothing like biting into a fudgy, chocolate-packed brownie dotted with festive candy eyes and colors to get you into the Halloween spirit. Once you try this recipe, I’m confident it’ll become a cherished tradition in your kitchen too—so grab your ingredients, invite your favorite people over, and have fun baking up some seriously tasty Halloween magic!