Halloween is creeping closer, and the air is filled with the delicious scent of pumpkin spice and sugary treats. This year, surprise your little monsters (and the big ones too!) with a batch of these adorable and delicious Halloween Monster Chocolate Cake Brownies. They’re the perfect combination of fudgy brownie and moist cake, topped with a vibrant green frosting and candy eyes, guaranteed to bring smiles to every face.
This recipe is so simple to make, even beginner bakers can conjure up these delightful treats in no time. They’re perfect for classroom parties, neighborhood gatherings, or simply a cozy night in with family. Let’s dive into the recipe and bring these adorable monsters to life in your kitchen!
Why You’ll Love It
These aren’t your average brownies; they’re a delightful mashup of fudgy brownie and moist chocolate cake. Imagine sinking your teeth into a rich, chocolatey treat that melts in your mouth. The texture is unbelievably perfect, both chewy and soft, hitting that sweet spot that leaves you craving more. Plus, let’s be honest, who can resist those adorable candy eyes peering up at you? They add a touch of whimsy that’s perfect for Halloween and beyond.
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Halloween Monster Chocolate Cake Brownies
- Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
- Yield: 36 brownies
Description
Indulge in the spooktacular Halloween Monster Chocolate Cake Brownies! These delightful treats combine the fudgy texture of brownies with the moistness of chocolate cake. Topped with vibrant green frosting and candy eyes, they’re perfect for Halloween parties or a cozy night in.
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups (565g) salted butter, softened
- 5 cups (1kg) granulated sugar
- 8 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups (150g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1.5 teaspoons (7g) salt
- 4 teaspoons (20ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (90g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 8 ounces (225g) whipped vanilla frosting
- Gel food coloring (green)
- 72 candy eyes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 11×8 inch baking pans; line with parchment paper.
- Combine softened butter and sugar in a bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, whisking until smooth.
- Cool slightly. Whisk in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Whisk cocoa powder, salt, and flour together. Gradually add to wet ingredients; mix until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into pans, bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool completely. Cut each pan into 18 squares. Frost top half of each brownie; add candy eyes.
Notes
For best results, use room temperature eggs and don’t overmix the batter. Let the brownies cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. Get creative with frosting colors and add other Halloween-themed decorations!
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
What You’ll Need
Here’s a friendly peek at the goodies we’ll be mixing together to create these spooky treats. Don’t worry, nothing too scary in this lineup!
- 2.5 cups (565g) salted butter: Softened, makes for extra fudgy brownies.
- 5 cups (1kg) granulated sugar: Adds the perfect sweetness.
- 8 large eggs: Room temperature, they bind the batter.
- 1 1/4 cups (150g) unsweetened cocoa powder: The key to that rich chocolate flavor.
- 1.5 teaspoons (7g) salt: Enhances the chocolatey goodness.
- 4 teaspoons (20ml) pure vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic touch. Don’t skimp!
- 1.5 cups (190g) all-purpose flour: Just enough to give some structure.
- 1/2 cup (90g) semi-sweet chocolate chips: Because you can never have too much chocolate.
- 8 ounces (225g) whipped vanilla frosting: For the spooky monster topping.
- Gel food coloring: Green (or any color you like!), to make it monstrously fun.
- 72 candy eyes: To bring the monsters to life!
This is the basic recipe but feel free to adjust measurements and additions to make it just the way you like it!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 11×8 inch baking pans and line them with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal later. This is key for clean slices!
Step 2: Melt the Butter and Sugar
In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the softened butter and sugar. Microwave in 30-second intervals, whisking between each, until the butter is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
Let the butter-sugar mixture cool slightly. Whisk in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, salt, and flour. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Fold in those delicious chocolate chips.
Step 5: Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pans and spread evenly. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Let cool completely in the pan before frosting. Once they’re perfectly cool, cut each pan into 18 squares. You should now have 36 spooky brownies waiting for their monstrous makeover!
Step 6: Decorate the Monsters
Divide the frosting into three small bowls. Add a few drops of green food coloring to each bowl and mix until you achieve a vibrant, monstrous green. Frost the top half of each brownie square and add two candy eyes to create those adorable monster faces. Let the frosting set before serving. Now your spooky treats are ready to be enjoyed!
Better-Than-Grandma Tips
Here are a few tricks to ensure your Halloween Monster Brownies are frightfully good:
- Room Temperature Eggs: Room temperature eggs blend more evenly into the batter, creating a smoother, more cohesive texture.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on your brownies and start checking for doneness around the 40-minute mark. Insert a toothpick into the center – it should come out with a few moist crumbs attached, not completely clean. Check our Breakfast for a different meal.
- Cooling is Key: Allow the brownies to cool completely before frosting and decorating. This prevents the frosting from melting and the candy eyes from sliding off.
- Get Creative with Frosting: Green is traditional for monsters, but feel free to experiment with other colors and create a rainbow of spooky creatures!
Flavor Twists
Want to put your own spin on these monstrous treats? Here are some fun ideas:
- Nutty Monsters: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for a delightful crunch.
- Swirl It Up: Before baking, swirl a few tablespoons of peanut butter or Nutella into the batter for an extra layer of flavor. Try our Dinner recipes for more sweet treats.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon or cayenne pepper can add a warm, comforting touch to your brownies.
- Monster Mash-Up: Use different colored frosting and sprinkles to create a variety of spooky creatures. Get creative and have fun with it!
No matter how you customize them, these Halloween Monster Chocolate Cake Brownies are sure to be a hit!
Does baking powder or soda go in brownies?
Baking powder creates a light and airy texture, while baking soda helps with browning and a chewier texture. Brownies typically use baking powder for a fudgy, cakey result.
How to make Betty Crocker brownies more cake-like?
For cake-like brownies, add an extra egg yolk, increase the baking powder slightly, and reduce the amount of butter. A touch of milk can also add moisture and create a softer crumb.
Is brownie a cake?
While brownies share some similarities with cake, they have a distinctly fudgy, dense texture that sets them apart. The lower ratio of flour to fat contributes to this unique quality.
How did brownies get their name?
The exact origin is uncertain, but one popular story suggests brownies were created by a chef who accidentally added melted chocolate to biscuits. Another theory traces them back to a requested portable dessert for picnickers.
How to Serve
These monstrously delicious brownies are perfect for all your Halloween festivities. Serve them on a festive platter, arranged alongside other spooky treats like our other recipes in Lunch. For a fun presentation, stack the brownies on a tiered stand or arrange them in a spooky graveyard scene using crushed Oreos as “dirt.” They’re also great packed in individual bags for trick-or-treaters or as a sweet surprise in lunchboxes.
No matter how you serve them, these Halloween Monster Chocolate Cake Brownies are sure to be a hit!
That’s a Wrap
These Halloween Monster Chocolate Cake Brownies are a real crowd-pleaser, perfect for parties or a spooky movie night. They’re rich, fudgy, and monstrously delicious! Share the fun with your friends and family – after all, isn’t that what Halloween is all about? Check out our Desserts category for other Halloween recipes. Share your creations on Facebook and Pinterest.
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