Go Back
+ servings

Halloween Monster Brownies

Take your classic, crinkly top brownies but make them Halloween themed! These brownies are thick, fudgy, decadent, and so much fun to make for spooky season.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 16 small brownies

Ingredients
 

Brownies

  • ¾ cup (94 grams) all purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups (120 grams) cocoa powder unsweetened regular cocoa powder or dutch processed cocoa powder works!
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules + 1 teaspoon water optional
  • 1 ¼ cups (283 grams) unsalted butter
  • 4 ¼ cups (510 grams) powdered sugar
  • 4 eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pretzel Monsters

  • 4-5 large pretzel twists
  • 4-6 small pretzel twists
  • white chocolate melting chips
  • dark chocolate melting chips
  • Oreos
  • black licorice
  • M&Ms yellow or orange colored

Instructions

Brownies

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) and line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • I suggest having all the ingredients out and measured to make this process easier.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside.
  • If using the coffee, combine the instant coffee granules and water in a small bowl until the granules are completely absorbed. This is optional but recommended - the coffee really deepens the chocolate flavor.
  • In a separate, microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter and powdered sugar. Melt the two together in the microwave in 30 second increments, whisking in between each increment. I typically microwave it 4-5 times. Whisk them together until completely smooth and the powdered sugar is dissolved in the butter. It should almost look like melted white chocolate. You can also melt them together on the stove.
  • Meanwhile, whip your eggs. Crack the eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a medium sized bowl if using a handheld mixer), and beat them on medium speed for 4-5 minutes until they are a paler yellow color and foamy.
  • Once the eggs are done whipping, pour the hot butter/sugar mixture into the whipped eggs. Whip them together on medium speed for two minutes. Add the vanilla and coffee mixture (if using) and whip until combined.
  • Add the flour, cocoa powder and salt and fold together (not whisk) until a batter forms. Whisking will knock out all of the air you just added by whipping the eggs.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the edges are set. Let sit at room temperature until completely cool.

Pretzel Monsters

  • These are optional, but so fun and festive!
  • I made the small pretzels with white chocolate and the large owl pretzels with dark chocolate, but feel free to mix and match and do your own thing!
  • For the white chocolate monsters: melt your white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring well in between each increment until completely melted. Coat the small pretzel twists in the melted white chocolate and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Drizzle melted white chocolate across the entirety of the pretzel, then stick on two candy eyes. Repeat with all of the small pretzel twists. Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to set.
  • For the dark chocolate owl monsters: split the Oreos in half and keep the sides with the cream for the owl eyes. Place one candy eye in the center of the cream of each Oreo. Cut up the black licorice strips into 1 inch pieces and stick them in the Oreo cream above the candy eye of each Oreo. Set aside. Melt your dark chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring well in between each increment until completely melted. Coat the large pretzel twists in the melted dark chocolate and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Drizzle melted dark chocolate across the entirety of the pretzel. Stick the two eyes you made onto the pretzel, then stick a yellow or orange M&M in between the eyes to create a nose. Repeat with all of the large pretzel twists. Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to set.

Assembly

  • Once the brownies are cool, remove them from the pan and arrange the pretzel monsters on top of the brownies. Carefully cut around the monsters. Or cut the brownies first, then top with the monsters. Enjoy! Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!