Halloween is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to start baking up some spooky treats! These Jack-o’-Lantern Brownies are the perfect combination of festive and delicious. They’re easy enough for even beginner bakers to tackle, yet impressive enough to wow your guests.
These Jack-o’-Lantern Brownies are rich, fudgy, and packed with Halloween spirit. They’re fun for the whole family to decorate together, from little ones to the most seasoned bakers. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love It
These Jack-o’-Lantern Brownies aren’t just cute; they’re also incredibly delicious! The fudgy brownies, combined with the sweet frosting and fun decorations, make them a perfect treat for any Halloween celebration. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to make, even if you’re not a decorating expert.
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Jack-o’-Lantern Brownies
- Total Time: 1 hr
- Yield: 16 brownies
Description
Better-Than-Grandma Tips
- Line your baking pan with foil for easy removal. This will save you time and effort later on. You can check our guide on lining a square pan with foil.
- Don’t overbake your brownies! Slightly underbaking gives them that rich, fudgy texture.
- Freezing the brownies before frosting helps create clean cuts and prevents crumbs from mixing into the frosting.
- Use a piping bag (or zip-top bag) with the tip cut off to create clean Jack-o’-Lantern faces with black frosting.
- Get creative with the decorations! Candies and sprinkles make each brownie unique and festive.
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix
- Ingredients for brownie mix as listed on the package
- 1 container (16 oz) chocolate frosting
- Orange gel food coloring
- Black gel food coloring
- Green gumdrops
- Assorted candies for decoration (e.g., M&Ms, sprinkles)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9-inch square pan with foil and grease with cooking spray.
- Prepare brownie batter per package instructions. Spread evenly in the pan.
- Bake for 28–31 minutes. Toothpick should come out almost clean when inserted near the edge. Cool completely, then freeze for 30 minutes.
- Remove brownies using foil overhang. Tint half the frosting orange, half black with gel coloring.
- Frost brownies with orange frosting. Chill for 15 minutes to set. Cut into 16 neat squares, cleaning the knife between each cut.
- Attach gumdrop “stems” to the tops. Pipe spooky Jack-o’-Lantern faces with black frosting. Decorate with candies. Enjoy!
Notes
That’s a Wrap
These Jack-o’-Lantern Brownies are festive, fun, and perfect for Halloween or a spooky movie night. They’re easy enough for kids to help decorate and delicious enough for grown-ups to sneak seconds.
Find more delicious inspiration in our Desserts collection.
I’d love to see your creative brownies! Tag me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or X.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredient Lowdown

Here’s what you’ll need to make these adorable and delicious treats:
- One box (16 oz) of your favorite brownie mix (plus the ingredients called for on the box – usually water, oil, and eggs)
- Vanilla frosting (I like to use a 16-oz container)
- Black and orange gel food coloring
- Green gumdrops
- Assorted candies for decorating (like mini M&Ms or other small candies)
These ingredients are super easy to find at any grocery store, which is always a win in my book!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Bake the Brownies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9-inch square pan with foil, letting the foil hang over the sides. This will make it easier to lift the brownies out of the pan later. Grease the foil with shortening or cooking spray.
Prepare the brownie batter according to the package directions. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
Bake for 28 to 31 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted 2 inches from the side comes out almost clean. Let the brownies cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, freeze the brownies in the pan for about 30 minutes to firm them up.
Step 2: Frost and Cut
Remove the brownies from the pan using the foil overhang. Peel away the foil and place the brownies on a cutting board. Divide the frosting into two small bowls. Tint one bowl of frosting orange and the other black using gel food coloring. Frost the top of the brownies with the orange frosting. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to set the frosting.
Cut the brownies into 16 squares using a sharp knife. Clean the knife between each cut for neat edges. Separate the brownies slightly.
Step 3: Decorate!
Cut the green gumdrops in half and press one half onto the top edge of each brownie for the stem.
Place the black frosting in a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off. Pipe different Jack-o’-Lantern faces onto each brownie. Get creative and use assorted candies to make eyes, noses, and mouths.
Better-Than-Grandma Tips

Here are a few tips to help you make the best Jack-o’-Lantern Brownies:
- Line your baking pan with foil for easy removal. This will save you time and effort later on. You can check our guide on lining a square pan with foil for step by step instructions.
- Don’t overbake your brownies! Overbaked brownies can be dry and crumbly. It’s better to slightly underbake them for a fudgy texture.
- Freezing the brownies before frosting helps create clean cuts and prevents crumbs from getting into the frosting.
- Use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off to pipe the black frosting for the faces. This gives you more control and creates neater designs.
- Get creative with the decorations! Use different candies to create unique Jack-o’-Lantern faces.
Try These Variations
- Chocolate Lovers: Use chocolate frosting instead of vanilla and add chocolate chips to the batter.
- Peanut Butter Pumpkins: Swirl peanut butter into the batter and use orange-tinted peanut butter frosting.
- Monster Mash: Use green-tinted frosting and add candy eyeballs for a spooky monster theme.
- Spiced Up: Add a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the brownie batter for a warm, autumnal flavor. Find more fun and interesting recipes on our desserts page.
No matter which variation you choose, these Jack-o’-Lantern Brownies are sure to be a hit!
Can I use a different type of brownie mix?
You can use any type of brownie mix you like for this recipe, but I recommend using a fudgy brownie mix for the best results.
Can I make these brownies ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the brownies ahead of time and frost them the day you plan to serve them. Store the unfrosted brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
How should I store these brownies?
These brownies are best served at room temperature, but you can also store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
What can I use instead of gumdrops for the stems?
If you don’t have gumdrops, you can use pretzel sticks or even small pieces of candy corn for the stems.
How to Serve

These Jack-o’-Lantern Brownies are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a festive touch, serve them on a Halloween-themed platter with some candy corn and other spooky treats. Check out our tips for setting up a delightful Halloween dessert table.
These brownies are also great for packing in lunchboxes or taking to parties. They are the perfect treat for all ages, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
That’s a Wrap
These Jack-o’-Lantern Brownies are sure to be a hit at your next Halloween gathering, or even just a fun weeknight treat. They are easy to make and even easier to enjoy! Be sure to check out my other delicious dessert recipes for more inspiration. Share your spooky creations with me on social media—I can’t wait to see them!
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