Get ready for a spooktacular treat that’s both delicious and fun to make! These Halloween Monster Chocolate Cake Brownies are the perfect dessert for your Halloween festivities, combining the rich fudginess of brownies with the light and airy texture of cake. They’re so easy to make, the whole family can join in on the monster-making fun.
These brownies are the perfect combination of rich chocolate, moist cake, and playful Halloween decorations. Imagine sinking your teeth into a soft, chewy brownie with a hint of cake-like texture, topped with vibrant green frosting and googly candy eyes. Get ready to wow your friends and family with these adorable and delectable treats. Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love These Monster Brownies
These Halloween Monster Chocolate Cake Brownies are more than just a tasty dessert; they’re an experience. Here’s why you’re going to love them:
- Fudgy and Cakey: The perfect balance between a rich, fudgy brownie and a light, airy cake. The best of both worlds!
- Easy to Make: The recipe is straightforward, even for beginner bakers. You’ll have a batch of monster brownies ready in no time!
- Fun for Everyone: Decorating these brownies is a fun activity for all ages. Let your creativity run wild with colorful frosting and candy eyes.
- Perfect for Halloween: These spooky treats are a festive addition to any Halloween party or gathering. They’re also great for classroom parties or a fun baking project with the kids.
Halloween Monster Chocolate Cake Brownies
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 mins
- Yield: 24 brownies
Description
These Halloween Monster Chocolate Cake Brownies combine the fudgy decadence of brownies with the light, airy texture of cake. Easy to make and decorate, they’re a fun and festive treat perfect for Halloween parties or family baking projects. The rich chocolate flavor and playful monster decorations make them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups (560g) salted butter
- 5 cups (600g) granulated sugar
- 8 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups (150g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1.5 teaspoons (7.5 ml) salt
- 4 teaspoons (20 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (90g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 8 ounces (225 g) whipped vanilla frosting
- Gel food coloring (green, and optional other colors)
- 72 candy eyes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 11×8 inch baking pans with parchment paper.
- Melt butter and sugar in a microwave-safe bowl. Whisk until smooth.
- Whisk in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Whisk dry ingredients (cocoa powder, salt, flour) in a separate bowl. Gradually add to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 40-45 minutes.
- Cool completely before frosting.
- Divide frosting, tint with food coloring, frost brownies, and add candy eyes.
Notes
For a chewier brownie, slightly underbake them. If using unsalted butter, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the dry ingredients. For variations, consider adding extracts like peppermint or almond. Different types of chocolate chips (white, milk, dark) can also create unique flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40-45 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredient Lowdown
Here’s what you’ll need to create these monstrously delicious brownies:
- 2.5 cups (560g) salted butter: Melted butter provides a rich, fudgy base for the brownies. If using unsalted butter, add ½ teaspoon of salt to the dry ingredients.
- 5 cups (600g) granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a chewy texture.
- 8 large eggs, room temperature: Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly into the batter, creating a more even texture.
- 1 1/4 cups (150g) unsweetened cocoa powder: This gives the brownies their rich, chocolatey flavor.
- 1.5 teaspoons (7.5 ml) salt: Enhances the chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness. If using unsalted butter, add ½ teaspoon extra.
- 4 teaspoons (20 ml) pure vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth of flavor.
- 1.5 cups (180g) all-purpose flour: Provides structure to the brownies. You can also use gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-free version.
- 1/2 cup (90g) semi-sweet chocolate chips: Creates pockets of melty chocolate throughout the brownies.
- 8 ounces (225 g) whipped vanilla frosting: The base for your monster decorations. Choose your favorite brand or make your own!
- Gel food coloring (green, and optional other colors): Gel food coloring provides vibrant colors without altering the consistency of the frosting.
- 72 candy eyes: To give your monster brownies their signature spooky look.
From Start to Finish
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pans
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 to make lifting the brownies out easier later.
Step 2: Melt the Butter and Sugar
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter and sugar. Microwave in 30-second increments, whisking after each interval, until the butter is completely 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, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Add 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.
Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Step 6: Bake
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pans. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. You don’t want it completely clean, as that would indicate overbaked brownies.
Step 7: Cool
Let the brownies cool completely in the pans before frosting. This will prevent the frosting from melting and make it easier to cut neat squares.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Divide the vanilla frosting into small bowls. Tint each bowl of frosting with gel food coloring, creating your desired monster colors (green is traditional, but feel free to get creative). Once the brownies are cool, frost the top of each brownie and add two candy eyes to create your monster faces.
Smart Tips & Tricks
- Room Temperature Eggs: Using room temperature eggs is key for a smooth, evenly textured batter. Take your eggs out of the fridge about 30 minutes before baking.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to tough brownies. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
- Cooling is Crucial: Let the brownies cool completely before frosting. If you’re short on time, you can chill them in the refrigerator to speed up the process. Want more delicious brownie recipes? Try our Double Chocolate Brownies.
- Get Creative with Decorations: Use different colors of frosting and various candies to make unique monster faces. Sprinkles, edible markers, and other decorative toppings can add even more personality to your spooky treats.
Flavor Twists
- Mint Chocolate Monsters: Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the batter and use green frosting with crushed candy canes for a festive twist. You can find other delicious recipes on our Desserts page.
- Peanut Butter Monsters: Swirl a few tablespoons of peanut butter into the batter before baking and use brown or orange frosting with peanut butter candies for eyes.
- M&M Monsters: Fold in a cup of Halloween-colored M&Ms into the batter and decorate with matching frosting and candy eyes.
- White Chocolate Monsters: Use white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet and decorate with pastel-colored frosting and sprinkles for a ghostly effect.
Does baking powder or soda go in brownies?
Baking powder is typically not used in traditional fudgy brownies. It’s more common in cakey brownie recipes to add lift and a lighter texture. For a fudgy brownie, the absence of leavening agents contributes to the dense, chewy consistency.
How to make Betty Crocker brownies more cake-like?
To achieve a cakier texture with Betty Crocker brownie mix, try adding an extra egg and a tablespoon or two of milk or water. This will increase the moisture content and create a lighter consistency.
Is brownie a cake?
While brownies share some similarities with cakes, they are generally considered a distinct category of dessert. Brownies have a denser, fudgier texture and often contain less flour than traditional cakes. Our Monster Brownies blur the line beautifully!
How did brownies get their name?
The exact origin of the name “brownie” is uncertain, but one popular theory suggests it stems from their dark brown color. There are several fun legends about how they were first created, usually involving an absentminded cook or a happy baking accident.
Pairs & Plates
These Halloween Monster Chocolate Cake Brownies are delicious on their own, but you can elevate the experience with a few simple pairings:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream: The cool, creamy ice cream complements the warm, fudgy brownies perfectly.
- A glass of cold milk: A classic combination.
- A warm mug of hot chocolate or coffee: For a cozy autumn treat.
- Fresh berries: A light and refreshing contrast to the richness of the brownies. For other delicious dessert options, explore our Lunch category.
Bake & Share
These Halloween Monster Chocolate Cake Brownies are sure to be a hit at your next Halloween gathering. They’re fun to make, delicious to eat, and guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Don’t forget to share your monstrous creations with us! Tag us on Instagram and Facebook and show off your baking skills. Visit our Dinner page for more delicious recipes.
