Name: Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 27 min
Total time: 42 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup golden brown sugar, packed; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 eggs; Yellow food coloring (about 6 teaspoons, adjust by brand); Red food coloring (about 1/8 teaspoon, adjust by brand); 1 cup all purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon cocoa powder; 1 cup dark chocolate chips; 12 Pillsbury ready to bake sugar cookies

Jump to Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a brilliantly festive treat that captures the spirit of the season with every bite, these Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies are the answer. Combining the rich, fudgy texture of classic brownies with the sweet, buttery crunch of sugar cookies, this dessert is magically adorned in spooky autumn colors thanks to vibrant food coloring. Whether you’re hosting a party, surprising the kids, or just craving something fun and delicious, these brownies bring the perfect playful twist to Halloween snacking that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat.

Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies lies in their simplicity—the ingredients are straightforward, yet each one plays a crucial role to create that irresistible balance of flavors, textures, and that iconic Halloween vibe. From the gooey depth of brown sugar and butter to the colorful magic of food coloring, these ingredients promise a baking adventure you won’t forget.

1 cup golden brown sugar, packed: Adds deep, caramelized sweetness that keeps the brownies moist and tender.
1/2 cup butter, melted: Provides rich, creamy fat that melts perfectly into the batter for fudgy goodness.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a warm, comforting aroma.
1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and draws out the chocolate’s robust notes.
2 eggs: Acts as the binding agent, giving structure and softness to the brownies.
Yellow food coloring (about 6 teaspoons): Brings that eye-catching, sunny Halloween hue to the mix—adjust depending on your brand.
Red food coloring (about 1/8 teaspoon): Adds just a hint of warm orange-red to create a perfect autumn-inspired color blend.
1 cup all-purpose flour: Creates the foundation to hold everything together with just the right density.
1/2 teaspoon cocoa powder: Adds a subtle chocolate undertone that deepens the overall flavor.
1 cup dark chocolate chips: Melts throughout, giving bursts of rich, gooey chocolate in every bite.
12 Pillsbury ready-to-bake sugar cookies: The fun topping that crisps up on the outside while staying soft inside, adding that playful sugar cookie texture.

How to Make Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Batter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), the perfect temperature to bake these beauties evenly. Then, pour your golden brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, salt, and eggs into a large mixing bowl. Stir everything together thoroughly—this simple blend is the delicious foundation of your Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies.

Step 2: Add the Magical Colors

Now for the fun part: add the yellow food coloring to your batter and stir it well so that the color spreads evenly. Next, introduce the red food coloring to create a unique, slightly orange tint reminiscent of autumn flames. Feel free to tweak the amounts slightly here to get the perfect Halloween hue you’re dreaming of.

Step 3: Bring in the Dry Ingredients

Mix in the all-purpose flour and cocoa powder carefully, making sure they fully combine with the colorful batter. This step is key to building the perfect fudgy texture with just a hint of chocolate depth peeking through the bright colors.

Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Scoop Batter

Gently fold the dark chocolate chips into your batter, distributing them evenly for those delightful melty pockets of chocolate. Then, scoop the batter into a 12-cup muffin tin, filling each cup about halfway—this sets the stage for the sugar cookie topping.

Step 5: Start Baking

Place your muffin tin in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the brownies start to set but aren’t fully baked yet. This partial bake creates a sticky surface perfect for the sugar cookies to bond to.

Step 6: Add Sugar Cookies and Finish Baking

Carefully press one unbaked sugar cookie on top of each brownie, gently pushing it down so it sticks well. Pop the tin back into the oven for another 12 minutes or until the brownies are cooked through and the cookies are golden and baked to perfection.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Remove the pan from the oven and let your Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies cool in the tin for at least 10 minutes. Once cooled slightly, pop each brownie out of the tin and prepare to delight everyone with your festive treat.

How to Serve Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies

Garnishes

To make your Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies even more festive, consider topping them with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of orange or black frosting. Edible glitter or festive sprinkles add an extra pop of charm that’s sure to wow guests and kids alike.

Side Dishes

Pair these brownies with a cold glass of milk or a cup of warm spiced cider for the perfect fall pairing. For a party, serve alongside fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance the richness with refreshing notes.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging your Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies on a platter decorated with autumn leaves, mini pumpkins, or spooky Halloween figurines to bring the spirit right to your dessert table. Or place them in individual Halloween-themed cupcake liners for a bold, festive touch that’s mess-free and fun.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to maintain their freshness and fudgy texture. They stay soft and chewy, perfect for snacking whenever the mood strikes.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy your brownies later, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to two months—just thaw overnight at room temperature for a tasty treat anytime.

Reheating

Warm your brownies for just 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave to revive that gooey chocolate chip melt and bring out the comforting warmth of freshly baked goodies. Avoid overheating to keep the sugar cookie topping from becoming too hard.

FAQs

Can I use homemade sugar cookies instead of Pillsbury ones?

Absolutely! Homemade sugar cookies work beautifully, just make sure they are slightly soft and not crispy before baking on top of the brownies to get that perfect meld of textures.

What if I don’t have yellow or red food coloring?

You can experiment with orange food coloring if available, or mix food colorings to achieve a similar effect. Without coloring, the brownies will still taste delicious but lose some of their signature Halloween flair.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, by substituting the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend, you can keep the texture and taste intact while making it accessible for those with gluten sensitivities.

How long do these brownies keep their best texture?

They’re at their best within the first 2 to 3 days after baking, as the sugar cookie topping maintains its soft but slightly crisp texture during this time.

Is there a way to make these less sweet?

You might reduce the amount of sugar slightly or opt for dark chocolate chips with higher cocoa content to balance the sweetness, but keep in mind it may affect the moistness and color vibrancy.

Final Thoughts

Making Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies is like capturing a little bit of magic and fun in every bite; they’re a perfect blend of festive colors, comforting textures, and rich flavors. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking to add some excitement to your Halloween celebrations, these brownies promise smiles and satisfied cravings. So grab your ingredients, get baking, and bring these wonderfully whimsical treats to your table—you won’t regret it!

Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 9 reviews

Author: Isabella
Total Time: 42 minutes
Yield: 12 brownies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Halloween Sugar Cookie Brownies combine rich, chocolatey brownies with a fun and festive sugar cookie topping. These treats are colorful with yellow and red food coloring, making them perfect for Halloween celebrations. The batter is enhanced with dark chocolate chips for extra indulgence, baked halfway before topping with ready-to-bake sugar cookies and finished in the oven for a delightful texture and flavor contrast.

Instructions

Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the brownies and cookies.
Mix wet ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine golden brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, salt, and eggs. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients until smooth and creamy.
Add food coloring: Stir in yellow food coloring and mix well, then add the red food coloring and mix again. Adjust the amount of each color as needed to achieve your desired shade.
Incorporate dry ingredients: Add the all purpose flour to the bowl and stir until fully incorporated into the batter. Then add the cocoa powder and mix well to evenly distribute.
Adjust color: At this stage, add more yellow or red food coloring if needed to perfect the color of your batter.
Add chocolate chips: Stir in the dark chocolate chips until they are evenly dispersed throughout the batter.
Scoop batter: Spoon the batter into a 12-cup muffin tin, filling each cup about halfway full.
Initial bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until the brownies are just beginning to set but not fully baked.
Add cookie topping: Remove the muffin tin from the oven. Place one unbaked Pillsbury sugar cookie on top of each brownie. Press the cookie gently to make sure it adheres well to the batter below.
Final bake: Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for an additional 12 minutes, or until the brownies are fully set and the sugar cookies are baked through and golden.
Cool: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the brownies cool in the tin for at least 10 minutes to set nicely.
Serve: After cooling, carefully pop the brownies out of the tin. Serve and enjoy your festive Halloween sugar cookie brownies!

Notes

Food coloring quantities may vary based on brand and desired intensity; add gradually to avoid over-coloring.
Using ready-to-bake sugar cookies speeds up preparation but any sugar cookie dough can be used as a substitute.
Ensure not to overbake the first stage of brownies to allow the cookies to bake properly without burning.
Let the brownies cool before removing from the tin to avoid breakage.
These brownies are perfect for Halloween parties, and the color customization makes them visually festive.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 27 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American