Halloween Brookies Recipe

If you’re searching for a fun, festive treat that’s as delicious as it is easy to make, you’ve come to the right place. I absolutely love this Halloween Brookies Recipe because it combines two of my favorite desserts—brownies and cookies—into one irresistible bake. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just want to surprise your family with a spooky twist on classics, this recipe will have everyone begging for more. Let me walk you through why it’s my go-to for this season and how you can nail it too!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Two Desserts in One: You get the fudgy richness of brownies paired with festive sugar cookies—all baked together.
  • Simple Ingredients: Just a boxed mix, store-bought cookie dough, and Halloween M&M’s make this super approachable.
  • Perfect Halloween Fun: The ghost-shaped cookies and colorful M&M’s add a whimsy factor that’s perfect for spooky season.
  • Family Favorite: My kids go crazy every time I pull these out, and trust me—you’ll become the star of your next party!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The fun thing about this Halloween Brookies Recipe is that it cleverly uses familiar, easy-to-find ingredients that blend beautifully. The brownie mix gives you a perfect fudgy base, while the ghost-shaped sugar cookie dough brings a fun texture contrast. Toss in some Halloween-themed M&M’s for bursts of color and chocolatey goodness throughout. Here’s what you’ll grab at the store:

  • Brownie Mix: I usually pick my favorite boxed mix; this keeps prep quick and reliable.
  • Ghost Shaped Sugar Cookie Dough: Pillsbury’s seasonal cookie dough is a game changer—no shaping needed and adds Halloween vibes effortlessly.
  • Halloween M&M’s: These add both crunch and festive colors to your brookies, making them look as good as they taste.
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.

Variations

I love how this recipe encourages creativity! I’ve played around with it over the years and found some tasty ways to make it your own. Feel free to tweak it for your crowd, whether you want to add more Halloween flair or adjust for dietary needs.

  • Allergy-Friendly Version: Swap the cookie dough with a gluten-free sugar cookie brand and use allergy-safe chocolate candies—you won’t lose any of the fun or flavor.
  • Extra Chocolatey: Add a handful of chocolate chips inside the brownie mix for a gooey double-chocolate kick.
  • Spooky Toppings: Try sprinkling crushed candy corn or edible Halloween confetti on top before baking for extra color and crunch.
  • Mini Brookies: Instead of a 9×13 pan, use mini muffin tins for individual treats—great for kids’ lunchboxes or party favors.

How to Make Halloween Brookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

First things first—set your oven to 350 ℉ so it’s fully preheated by the time your brookies are ready to bake. I usually grease a 9×13 baking pan with a little butter or non-stick spray to make sure everything comes out effortlessly. This step is super important because nobody wants their treat stuck to the pan!

Step 2: Whip Up the Brownie Batter

Prepare the brownie mix exactly according to the package instructions. This part is where you can’t really cut corners because the texture of the brookies depends on getting that fudgy batter just right. When your batter is smooth and ready, mix in about ¼ cup of the Halloween M&M’s to get little chocolatey surprises inside.

Step 3: Layer and Decorate

Pour the batter into your prepped pan and spread it out evenly—don’t worry if it looks thick, it will bake perfectly. Next, sprinkle more M&M’s all over the top for extra color and crunch. Now, here comes the fun part: place about 15 ghost-shaped sugar cookie dough pieces evenly over the batter. This gives it that special Halloween look that’s sure to impress.

Step 4: Bake and Test for Doneness

Bake your Halloween brookies for 28 to 30 minutes. What I’ve found is starting to peek at around 25 minutes helps avoid overbaking. Use a toothpick inserted near the center—when it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, your brookies are done. The edges should be slightly crispy but the middle stay delectably soft. If the cookies need a little more time, don’t fret; they’ll be just fine with a few extra minutes.

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Pro Tips for Making Halloween Brookies Recipe

  • Even Spacing Matters: When placing the cookie dough on top, spread pieces evenly so each bite gets a taste of cookie and brownie.
  • Don’t Overmix Batter: Mix enough to combine but keep it a bit lumpy for that fudgy texture we all crave.
  • Use a Lightly Greased Pan: This prevents sticking but also helps the edges crisp up nicely without burning.
  • Watch Baking Time Closely: Ovens vary, so start checking at 25 minutes to avoid dry brookies, especially since cookie dough can brown quicker.

How to Serve Halloween Brookies Recipe

The image shows a white rectangular glass baking dish filled with dark brown brownies, each square topped with a light yellow and blue spooky ghost design. Several brownie squares are cut out and placed on a white marbled surface around the dish. Scattered next to the brownies are colorful Halloween candies, including orange, black, and yellow candy corns, small orange pumpkins with green tops, and round M&M's in orange, green, purple, and red colors. The brownies have a cracked top texture, showing a dense and fudgy inside. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love to elevate the presentation with a quick dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate over the top—it makes the ghosts look almost glowing. Adding a few extra Halloween M&M’s scattered around the plate brings cheerful pops of color and crunch. For a spooky touch, sprigs of fresh mint can mimic a little green “grass,” adding a nice contrast.

Side Dishes

This Halloween Brookies Recipe pairs perfectly with a big glass of cold milk or your favorite pumpkin spice latte. For parties, I like serving it alongside whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream—those warm brookies with cold ice cream? Total crowd-pleaser!

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I cut the brookies into ghost-shaped cookie cutters for an extra Halloween wow factor. Another time, I served them in individual mini mason jars layered with whipped cream and crushed cookie toppings for a fun dessert “potion.” Get creative with serving trays decorated with fake cobwebs, plastic spiders, and orange and black napkins to make the experience totally festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover brookies store really well covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature. I usually keep them for up to 3 days and find they stay wonderfully moist. If you live somewhere warm or humid, pop them in the fridge to extend freshness further.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead for a party or treat stash, freezing works great. Wrap the whole pan tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil or cut into individual squares and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before packing into freezer bags. Defrost overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.

Reheating

I like reheating my brookies gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to bring back some of that fresh-out-of-the-oven warmth without drying them out. If you’re reheating multiple pieces, warming them in a 300 ℉ oven for 5-7 minutes wrapped loosely in foil works beautifully to keep moisture locked in.

FAQs

  1. Can I make the Halloween Brookies Recipe from scratch instead of using boxed mixes?

    Absolutely! If you prefer, you can use your favorite homemade brownie and sugar cookie recipes. Just be sure your cookie dough is sturdy enough to hold shape when placed on top of the brownie batter. The boxed mixes keep this recipe really simple, but homemade will add a personalized touch.

  2. What’s the best way to cut the brookies without them crumbling?

    Let the brookies cool completely before cutting. Using a sharp knife warmed under hot water and dried will help you get clean cuts. Cutting while still warm tends to cause some crumbling, so patience pays off!

  3. Can I substitute the Halloween M&M’s with other candies?

    Definitely! You can swap in Reese’s Pieces, mini chocolate chips, or even chopped candy bars. Just be mindful that some candies melt differently, which can affect texture and appearance.

  4. How long do Halloween Brookies stay fresh?

    Stored properly at room temperature, they stay fresh for up to 3 days. Refrigeration can extend their life to about a week—just cover well to prevent drying out.

Final Thoughts

This Halloween Brookies Recipe really holds a special place in my heart because it’s become a seasonal tradition in my home. It’s easy enough for a last-minute bake yet impressive enough to wow guests and kids alike. I love sharing it with friends who might feel intimidated by baking—this recipe breaks it down so simply and makes you look like a dessert superhero. If you’re looking to bring some magic and smiles to your Halloween celebrations, you simply must try this. I can’t wait for you to make it and fall in love just like I did!

Print
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Halloween Brookies Recipe

Halloween Brookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 725 reviews
  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 28 minutes
  • Total Time: 38 minutes
  • Yield: 15 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Halloween Brookies combine the rich, fudgy texture of brownies with the sweet, soft delight of ghost-shaped sugar cookies and festive Halloween M&M’s for a fun, seasonal treat perfect for parties and gatherings.


Ingredients

Brownie Layer

  • 1 box store-bought brownie mix
  • Ingredients needed as per brownie mix package (usually eggs, oil, and water)
  • ¼ cup Halloween M&M’s

Cookie Layer & Topping

  • 1 package Pillsbury ghost-shaped sugar cookie dough
  • Additional Halloween M&M’s for sprinkling on top


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 ℉ (175 ℃) to prepare for baking your Halloween brookies.
  2. Prepare Brownie Mix: Follow the instructions on the store-bought brownie mix package to prepare the batter. Once mixed, gently fold in ¼ cup of Halloween M&M’s to add festive color and texture within the brownies.
  3. Spread Batter: Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking. Pour the prepared brownie batter evenly into the pan and spread it out with a spatula for an even layer.
  4. Add Toppings: Sprinkle a generous amount of Halloween M&M’s evenly over the brownie batter. Then, place 15 pieces of the ghost-shaped sugar cookie dough evenly on top, distributing them to ensure each brookie will have a ghost cookie on it.
  5. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 28-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out with just a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. The edges should be slightly crispy to achieve the perfect texture contrast.
  6. Cool and Serve: Allow the brookies to cool in the pan before cutting into squares. This helps them set and prevents crumbling.

Notes

  • Nutrition facts are an estimate and may vary based on the specific brands and quantities used.
  • Follow the baking instructions on your brownie mix package closely for best results; if necessary, bake a little longer to ensure cookie dough is fully cooked.
  • Greasing the pan well is important to prevent sticking due to the mixed textures of brownies and cookies.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 square (approx. 2×2 inches)
  • Calories: 220 kcal
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg

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