Name: The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick); 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 teaspoon sea salt; 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips; Halloween M&Ms; Halloween-themed sprinkles; Candy eyeballs

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 41 reviews

I’m so excited to share with you The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe that I’ve perfected over the years. These brownies don’t just taste incredible — they have that perfect rich, fudgy texture that melts in your mouth, plus a fun festive twist with Halloween M&Ms and candy eyeballs for decoration. If you’re looking to wow everyone at your next spooky celebration or just crave a cozy treat, this recipe is an absolute winner. Stick around — I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to nail these every single time!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Balance of Fudgy & Soft: This recipe hits the sweet spot, giving you moist, rich brownies without being too cakey or dry.
Simple Ingredients: No complicated steps or rare ingredients — you likely already have everything in your pantry.
Festive Halloween Fun: The addition of Halloween M&Ms and candy eyeballs makes these brownies as eye-catching as they are delicious.
Easy to Customize: Whether you want to add nuts, swap chips, or adjust sweetness, this base recipe is incredibly forgiving.

The Best Halloween Brownies, Halloween Brownies with M&Ms and Candy Eyeballs, Festive Halloween Brownies, Fudgy Halloween Brownies, Easy Halloween Dessert - 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 that combine to create that classic chocolate lover’s dream. Each component plays a specific role in texture and flavor — and I’ll share my little tips to make each one shine.

Unsalted butter: Gives richness and moisture; melting the butter ensures smooth batter and fudgy texture.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that crackly top classic to brownies.
Vegetable oil: Keeps brownies soft and moist, balancing the butter’s flavor.
Large eggs: Bind everything together and add structure, resulting in that perfect chewy bite.
Vanilla extract: Enhances chocolate flavor and adds warmth to the batter.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure without making the brownies cakey when measured correctly.
Cocoa powder: High-quality cocoa is key here — I always sift mine to avoid lumps for a smooth batter.
Cornstarch: The secret ingredient that gives the brownies a wonderfully tender crumb.
Dark chocolate chips: Little pockets of melty chocolate throughout — I find dark chips balance the sweetness perfectly.
Sea salt: Just a pinch enhances the chocolate depth and balances the sweetness beautifully.
Halloween M&Ms and candy eyeballs: For topping and that festive fun factor — be generous, the kids (and adults) love this part!

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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 flexible The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe is, so I encourage you to play around with it and make it your own. Whether you like it extra fudgy, a little more cakey, or want to add something crunchy, the tweaks are easy and delicious.

Nuts: I sometimes add chopped walnuts or pecans for a lovely crunch that complements the chocolate bite.
Chocolate Variations: Swap dark chips for milk chocolate or white chocolate if you prefer a sweeter or creamier touch.
Spiced Twist: A pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin spice can amp up the Halloween vibes.
Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a friendly alternative — just make sure to check the mix ratio.

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

Step 1: Get your pan ready and preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). Then line an 8×8-inch pan with foil or parchment — this helps lift the brownies out easily later. Don’t forget to spray with non-stick spray so nothing sticks. I like to prep my pan while the oven warms so I’m ready to go once the batter’s done.

Step 2: Melt butter and mix with sugar and oil

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt your butter with the granulated sugar. Usually, one minute in the microwave does the trick. Stir in vegetable oil immediately after. This combo creates a smooth, glossy base for your brownies — don’t skip stirring well here to make sure everything blends perfectly.

Step 3: Whisk in eggs and vanilla

Next, whisk in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract. A smooth batter here sets you up for success — no lumps or streaks. I like to whisk for a good minute to get everything fully incorporated without overdoing it.

Step 4: Add dry ingredients carefully

Sift your flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and sea salt together to avoid any lumps, then gently fold them into the wet mixture. Resist the urge to overmix! Stir until just combined. Overworking leads to tough brownies, and nobody wants that.

Step 5: Fold in chocolate chips and spread the batter

Now, gently fold in those luscious dark chocolate chips. They add those dreamy pockets of melty goodness. Then spread your batter evenly in the pan — I use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, making sure it’s smooth on top for even baking.

Step 6: Add Halloween toppings and bake

Sprinkle your Halloween M&Ms, candy eyeballs, and festive sprinkles on top. This is where the fun really starts! Pop into the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Keep an eye on them — when a tester comes out with moist crumbs but not wet batter, you’re golden.

Step 7: Cool completely before cutting

This step is crucial! Let the brownies cool completely in the pan. I know it’s tempting to cut in right away, but cooling helps them set and makes clean slices easy. Patience pays off big time here.

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Pro Tips for Making The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe

Sifting is Key: I always sift cocoa and flour together to avoid lumps and get a smooth batter every time.
Watch Your Bake Time: Oven temps vary, so start checking brownies a few minutes early to avoid drying them out.
Let Them Cool Completely: Trust me, this makes cutting easier and keeps the texture perfect.
Use Room-Temperature Eggs: They mix better and prevent the batter from curdling.

How to Serve The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe

Garnishes

I keep it simple but festive — the Halloween M&Ms and candy eyeballs do the heavy lifting for the look. Sometimes I add a dusting of powdered sugar for a ghostly effect, or drizzle white chocolate for extra sweetness and a spiderweb look. It’s all about fun and flair!

Side Dishes

Since these brownies are rich, I love pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A spiced pumpkin latte or warm apple cider makes a perfect fall drink to round out the experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween parties, I’ve cut them into little squares and served them on black platters with fake spider webs and tiny plastic spiders around. Another fun idea is skewering a brownie square with candy eyeballs and a marshmallow on top to look like mini monsters — kids love it!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover brownies in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh and fudgy for 2-3 days. Don’t worry if they seem a bit firm when cold; they soften beautifully when warmed.

Freezing

If I want to stash some for later, I wrap brownies tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before freezing. They freeze well up to 3 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.

Reheating

When reheating, I pop brownies in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or warm a slice in a preheated oven wrapped in foil for 5-7 minutes. This brings back that freshly baked, gooey magic.

FAQs

Can I use a different pan size for The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe?

Yes! An 8×8-inch pan is ideal for thickness, but you can use a 9×9-inch pan if that’s what you have. Just keep an eye on the baking time, as slightly larger pans may require a bit less time to bake through.
How do I make these brownies extra fudgy?

To up the fudginess, try using less flour or add a bit more butter. Also, pull them out of the oven as soon as a toothpick still shows moist crumbs — overbaking is the enemy of fudgy brownies!
Can I make The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe dairy-free?

Definitely. Swap unsalted butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil, and use dairy-free dark chocolate chips. Just note the flavor may shift slightly, but still delicious!
Are Halloween M&Ms necessary?

Not at all! They add fun color and texture, but you can substitute with regular chocolate chips, sprinkles, or other Halloween-themed candies to suit your preferences or what you have on hand.
Why is it important to let the brownies cool completely?

Cooling lets the brownies set so you get neat cuts instead of gooey messes. Plus, the flavors deepen and textures improve, making each bite more enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

This recipe is a personal favorite because it brings together the best of both worlds: a tried-and-true brownie base with just enough Halloween whimsy to make the season extra fun. I love sharing these with my family and friends — watching their faces light up at the festive toppings and rich chocolate flavor never gets old. You’ll enjoy making these for your own celebrations or cozy nights in. Trust me, The Best Halloween Brownies Recipe really lives up to its name. Happy baking, and even happier haunting!