Easy Ghost Brownies
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A box of rich, chocolate brownies topped off with marshmallows ghosts and poured frosting make for a delightfully spooky Halloween treat.
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays of the year. Not only does it start the whole holiday season but I love making themed treats and foods to help celebrate Halloween. Some of my favorite Halloween treats are these Hocus Pocus Cupcakes, this super fun to make Candy Corn Layer Cake, and this crowd pleasing Candy Corn Poke Cake.
When I was younger I would always go to haunted houses and watch scary movies in October. Now that I’m older I’m more of a trunk or treat with my son or go on a hayride type person but I still love getting into the spirit of Halloween.
While I love making homemade treats sometimes I go for the semi-homemade treats with super fun decorations. These ghost brownies are super easy and fun to make using a box of brownie mix. I’ve found that there are some really good brownie mixes out there these days.
What brownie mix should I use?
It’s really up to you! I usually like using a fudge brownie mix because then you get a gooey brownie that’s super rich. For these brownies I used a milk chocolate brownie mix so that the brownies were sturdier and would be able to hold up to the marshmallow and poured frosting on top. My favorite boxed brownie mixes are Ghiradelli, Betty Crocker, and Duncan Hines.
ingredients:
- box of brownie mix (use your favorite kind)
- vegetable oil
- water
- eggs
- chocolate chips (this is optional but I love putting them in my brownie batter)
- marshmallows (just the regular size)
- canned white frosting (use your favorite kind)
- black quins (the round, flat sprinkles)
In order to make these brownies you will need to make the box of brownie mix according to the package directions. I like to add in 3/4 cup of chocolate chips with the batter and mix well. I find it adds a bit of texture and a burst of chocolate flavor.
what type of chocolate chips should I use?
I tend to use milk chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips but you can use your favorite type. Dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even peanut butter chips can be added into the batter. Get creative with your flavors!
Pour the brownie mix into a 9 x 13 pan and bake according to the package directions. Once the brownies come out of the oven place them on a wire baking rack to cool.
Once the brownies have cooled cut them into squares. I made mine about 1 1/2 inch by 1 1/2 inch. Place them on a wire rack with a baking sheet or piece of parchment paper underneath.
Grab the can of frosting and give it a few good stirs. Place a dot of frosting on the bottom of a marshmallow and place a marshmallow on top of each brownie square.
Do i have to use canned frosting?
This is probably the only time you will EVER hear me tell you to use canned frosting. I am not a fan of canned frosting but I tried this with two different frosting recipes and one of the frostings broke when I heated it and the other did not firm up once it cooled.
As I’m not a fan of canned frosting I’ve tried a lot of them in hopes of finding one that was acceptable. The only brand that I actually like is Dolly Parton’s buttercream frosting from Duncan Hines. It has a pretty good flavor, not much of an after taste, and it works well in this recipe.
Once the marshmallows are on the brownies heat the frosting in the microwave in 15 second intervals, stirring after each interval. The frosting should be just thin enough to pour.
Stir the frosting and then carefully pour it over top of each marshmallow using a spoon. Allow the frosting to drip down the sides of the brownie as well.
More Halloween Recipes:
- Easy Frankenstein Cupcakes
- Vampire Donuts
- Halloween Ghost Cake
- Sugar Skull Cupcakes
- Bloody Glass Shard Red Velvet Cake
Quickly put the black quins on each marshmallow. Place two for eyes and one for the mouth. If you don’t have quins you can use a bit of black frosting and pipe on two eyes and a mouth for the ghost.
I also had some green quins and put them on as eyes and a mouth to make it look like an alien. I thought those were pretty fun as well and also worked for Halloween.
The brownies were really yummy. The brownie itself was rich, fudgy, and full of chocolate flavor. The buttercream frosting added a buttery and sweet flavor and the marshmallow added some texture to the dessert.
Kids would have a blast decorating these ghost brownies and adults love to eat them! So bake up a batch tonight!
Easy Ghost Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 box 18.3 oz brownie mix
- 2/3 c. vegetable oil
- 1/4 c. milk or water
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 c. chocolate chips
- 24 marshmallows
- 1 container buttercream or vanilla frosting
- black quins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl combine the brownie mix with the oil, water, and eggs using the directions on the box. You can substitute milk for the water if desired. Mix for 1 minute.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the pan and bake according to the package directions (between 25-30 minutes)
- Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Cut the brownie into 1 or 1 1/2 inch squares.
- Put a small dot of frosting on a marshmallow and stick it on top of each brownie.
- Heat the frosting in the microwave in 20 seconds intervals, stirring after each interval, until pourable but not too thin.
- Spoon the frosting over top of each marshmallow, covering completely. Allow excess frosting to drip down the sides.
- Push 2 quins into the frosting as eyes and 1 for the mouth. If you don't have quins place two dots of black frosting for the eyes and 1 dot of black frosting for the mouth.
- Allow the frosting to cool and harden for 1 hour before storing in an air tight container or serving.
Notes
What a fun and easy recipe for last minute parties. And great to get the kids to help with, too!
I love a semi homemade treat, especially one that starts with brownie mix!