Easy Halloween Brownies with Candy (Monster Mash Brownies)
These easy Halloween brownies start with a box mix and are stuffed with Oreos, peanut butter cups, and caramel. A fun Halloween treat!
Equipment
- 8×8-inch square baking pan
- Parchment Paper:
- large mixing bowl
- Whisk or rubber spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
Brownie Base:
- 1 box (about 15 ounces) fudge brownie mix, designed for an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch pan
- Eggs, oil, and water called for on the brownie mix package
Surprise Candy Filling:
- 6 Oreo cookies, roughly chopped
- 8 miniature peanut butter cups, unwrapped and halved
- 2 tablespoon thick caramel sauce
- ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt, optional
Halloween Monster Topping:
- Halloween candy decor (pumpkins, ghosts, bats, etc...
- ⅓ cup Halloween-colored mini M&M's
- ¼ cup crushed salted pretzels
- 2 tablespoon Halloween sprinkles
- candy eyeballs
- candy corn
Instructions
- 1. Prepare the oven and pan. Preheat the oven according to your brownie mix package, generally 325–350°F. Line an 8×8-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- 2. Make the brownie batter. Prepare the boxed brownie mix using the eggs, oil, and water listed on the package. Stir just until combined.
- 3. Build the bottom layer. Spread approximately half the brownie batter into the prepared pan.
- 4. Add the surprise filling. Scatter the chopped Oreos and miniature peanut butter cups evenly over the batter, keeping the filling about ½ inch away from the edges. Drizzle with thick caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt, if using.
- 5. Add the top layer. Spoon the remaining brownie batter over the candy filling. Gently spread it to cover as much of the filling as possible.
- 6. Decorate! Immediately scatter the mini M&M's, crushed pretzels, sprinkles, and candy eyeballs over the top.
- 7. Bake. Follow the package's baking temperature and begin checking at the recommended time. Because these brownies are stuffed, they may need an additional 5–10 minutes. Expect approximately 35–45 minutes for many mixes. The edges should be set, and a toothpick inserted into a brownie-only section should come out with moist crumbs rather than wet batter.
- 8. Add the halloween candy decor(if using) while the brownies are still warm before cooling. Cool completely. Let the brownies cool in the pan, then refrigerate for 20–30 minutes if you'd like cleaner slices.
- 9. Slice and enjoy! Once the coating has set, cut into squares.
Notes
Fun Tip:
Make a Halloween Brownie Decorating Station! Bake and cool the brownies ahead of time, cut them into squares, and set out little bowls of candy eyes, sprinkles, pretzels, and colorful melted candy wafers. Let everyone decorate their own monster brownie!