If you’re looking for a fun, festive treat to wow your guests this season, you’re going to absolutely love this Halloween Brookies Recipe. It’s that perfect mashup of chewy brownies and soft sugar cookies dotted with colorful Halloween M&M’s—a combo that makes every bite a little surprise. Trust me, once you try this, your Halloween snack game will be on point!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Fun: Combining brownies and cookies means half the prep work but double the flavor.
- Kid-Friendly: The ghost-shaped sugar cookies and Halloween M&M’s make this treat super festive and exciting for little ones.
- Texture Play: You get gooey brownie underneath and soft cookie bites on top—trust me, it’s addictive.
- Perfect for Parties: Makes a generous batch that’s easy to slice, serve, and share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the things I love about this Halloween Brookies Recipe is how simple the ingredient list is, yet the flavors feel so special together. You’ll want to buy a reliable brownie mix and those iconic Pillsbury ghost sugar cookies that you can find in most stores during the season. The Halloween M&M’s bring a colorful crunch that perfectly complements the soft textures.
- Brownie mix: Choose your favorite boxed mix; it’s the base that makes this super quick to whip up.
- Pillsbury ghost-shaped sugar cookie dough: These fun spooky shapes make your brookies insta-festive and they bake nicely on top so you get that cookie burst in each bite.
- Halloween M&M’s: These add sweet pops of color and texture—plus they’re just plain fun.
Variations
While I adore the classic Halloween Brookies Recipe as written, I’ve played around with some fun tweaks that let you make this your own. Whether you want it dairy-free or extra chocolatey, this recipe is super forgiving.
- Add nuts or candy mix-ins: Toss in some chopped walnuts or pecans with your M&M’s for some crunch. My family goes crazy for this version!
- Use white chocolate or peanut butter chips: I’ve swapped out M&M’s for white chocolate chips when I didn’t have candy on hand, and it tastes just as dreamy.
- Make gluten-free: There are great gluten-free brownie and cookie dough options out there—just swap them in and you’re set.
- Spice it up: A dash of cinnamon or pumpkin spice in the brownie mix adds a cozy, fall vibe that’s subtle but delicious.
How to Make Halloween Brookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it warms up, grease your 9 x 13-inch baking pan well—this helps the brookies release easily without losing their crispy edges, which I absolutely love about this recipe.
Step 2: Mix Your Brownie Batter
Follow the instructions on your brownie mix box to prepare the batter. Once mixed, stir in about ¼ cup of Halloween M&M’s right into the brownie batter — I discovered this trick adds surprise bursts of crunchy sweetness throughout.
Step 3: Assemble with Cookies and More Candy
Pour the brownie batter evenly into your greased pan. Then sprinkle more M&M’s on top to infuse each bite with vibrant color. Next, simply place 15 ghost-shaped pieces of the Pillsbury sugar cookie dough across the batter. Don’t worry about perfect spacing — the dough will spread and bake beautifully on top.
Step 4: Bake to Gooey Perfection
Bake for 28-30 minutes. My best advice? Check at 28 minutes with a toothpick; you want it to come out with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter. The edges should be slightly crispy and pull away from the pan a bit, while the centers remain soft and fudgy. This perfect balance is what makes the Halloween Brookies Recipe such a hit.
Pro Tips for Making Halloween Brookies Recipe
- Don’t Overmix: When stirring M&M’s into the batter, mix gently to avoid breaking the candy shells.
- Cookie Placement: Space your cookie dough evenly but know they will spread during baking, so don’t crowd the pan.
- Watch the Bake Time: Ovens vary! Start checking at 28 minutes to avoid overbaking and losing gooey goodness.
- Cool Slightly Before Cutting: Waiting 15-20 minutes after baking lets the brookies set up, making slicing cleaner and less crumbly.
How to Serve Halloween Brookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra “wow” when serving, I like to sprinkle some powdered sugar or lay a few extra Halloween M&M’s on the plated brookies. Sometimes I add a drizzle of white chocolate or even a dollop of vanilla whipped cream to contrast the rich chocolate base.
Side Dishes
A chilled glass of milk is a no-brainer here, but I also enjoy pairing these brookies with a scoop of pumpkin ice cream or a spiced chai latte to elevate the cozy, autumn vibes at any gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to cut the brookies into fun shapes using cookie cutters—little ghosts, pumpkins, or bats—before serving. Plating them on a tiered dessert stand surrounded by fresh autumn leaves always gets compliments and adds a festive touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Halloween Brookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them covered well to maintain that lovely chewy texture. I’ve found that refrigeration tends to dry them out, so I avoid that if possible.
Freezing
If you want to freeze these, I slice them first, wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They freeze beautifully for up to 2 months and thaw quickly when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To warm frozen or leftover brookies, pop them in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or heat in a low oven (300°F) for 5-7 minutes. This refreshes the gooey texture without drying them out—just keep an eye so they don’t overheat.
FAQs
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Can I make the Halloween Brookies Recipe from scratch instead of using boxed mixes?
Absolutely! You can use your favorite homemade brownie and sugar cookie recipes instead of boxed mixes. Just prepare each batter as you normally would, and assemble the brookies following the same layering method. Keep in mind the baking time might vary slightly.
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Do I need to let the Halloween Brookies cool completely before cutting?
It’s best to let them cool for about 15-20 minutes. This cooling period lets the brookies set, making them easier to cut without crumbling. If you cut them too warm, they may fall apart or be messy.
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Can I use different shaped cookie dough for this recipe?
Yes! While I love the ghost shapes for Halloween, you can use any sugar cookie dough or shape you prefer. Seasonal holiday shapes are a fun way to customize this recipe for other occasions too.
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What’s the best way to avoid cracked cookies on top?
Make sure to place the cookie dough pieces on top of the brownie batter gently without pressing down. Also, avoid overbaking—the cookies bake through while the brownies stay soft, which helps keep that beautiful soft top without cracking.
Final Thoughts
I can’t tell you how many times this Halloween Brookies Recipe has saved me during party season—it’s quick, fun, and guaranteed to impress your guests or family. The combination of gooey brownies, soft sugar cookies, and festive M&M’s is just unbeatable. So definitely grab the ingredients, try it out, and let me know how much you (and your friends!) love it. Happy baking and happy haunting!
Print
Halloween Brookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Halloween Brookies recipe combines the rich, fudgy goodness of brownies with spooky ghost-shaped sugar cookies and festive Halloween M&M’s to create a fun, chewy, and colorful treat perfect for the Halloween season. Easy to prepare and baked in one pan, these brookies are a delightful dessert for parties or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Brownie Mixture
- 1 box store-bought brownie mix
- Ingredients required on brownie mix box (usually eggs, oil, water)
- ¼ cup Halloween M&M’s, mixed into batter
Topping
- Additional Halloween M&M’s, amount as desired for topping
- 1 package Pillsbury ghost-shaped sugar cookie dough (approximately 15 pieces)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 ℉ (175 ℃) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the brookies.
- Prepare Brownie Batter: Follow the instructions on the brownie mix box to prepare the batter, including adding eggs, oil, and water as directed. Once mixed, fold in ¼ cup of Halloween M&M’s to add a festive crunch inside the brownies.
- Spread Brownie Batter: Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan thoroughly. Pour the prepared brownie batter into the pan and spread it evenly to make sure it bakes uniformly.
- Add Toppings: Evenly sprinkle additional Halloween M&M’s on top of the brownie batter. Then, arrange about 15 ghost-shaped sugar cookie dough pieces evenly on top of the M&M’s for an eye-catching, spooky touch.
- Bake: Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 28-30 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter. The edges should be slightly crispy and golden.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove from oven and let cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing into squares. This allows the brookies to set up for easier serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the ghost-shaped cookie dough with any Halloween-themed sugar cookie dough for variety.
- Make sure to grease the baking pan well to prevent sticking.
- Adjust baking time slightly if using a different size pan, checking doneness regularly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Feel free to mix in more or fewer M&M’s to suit your taste preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approximate)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 110 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: 20 mg
