Halloween Peanut Butter Brownies with Eyeballs

How to Make Spooky Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

I am sure you have made boxed brownies before—so this should be pretty simple. Start with a preheated oven. Then get your 9×13 baking pan out and line it with parchment paper. Then, when the brownies are cooled, you can pull them out of the pan easily.

Step 1 | Mix the Chewy Brownie Batter

Pour your favorite brownie recipe box mix into a large bowl or stand mixer bowl and follow the instructions.

Add in the ingredients called for, like the oil, milk, and eggs, then mix by hand with a rubber spatula or with a mixer. Just be careful not to overmix the fudgy batter, or it will become dense.

The batter will be a bit clumpy, and that is a good thing, y’all!

If you want thick brownies, you can choose a 9×9 or an 8×8 pan or double the recipe. Just check the baking times on the box for your pan size.

Now, let’s get to baking.

Step 2 | Pour, Spread, and Bake

I just love the taste and smell of fresh brownies in the oven!

Pour the batter from the mixing bowl into the prepared pan and smooth it all the way to the edges.

Now you can place the pan into the oven and set your timer. To test for doneness, use a toothpick inserted about an inch from the edge of the pan full. If it comes out clean, they are just right and ready to cool.

Place the pan on a wire rack and allow it to cool.

Step 3| Ganache Time

When making ganache, the consistency changes from a pourable medium consistency to a firm and smooth texture when cool.

Start with the candy chocolate wafers. Divide the colors into bowls. Here I have 3 bowls, one with orange, one with black, and one with white.

Next, begin heating the heavy cream on the stovetop or in the microwave until it begins to bubble. Then you are ready to pour the warmed cream over the melting chocolates evenly and allow that to sit for a minute.

Now you can stir those waters until each one is fully melted and silky smooth.

If you want a thinner ganache, simply add a splash more cream until it is perfect. Need it thicker? Add a few more melting chocolates and stir.

Step 4 | Create Your Halloween Peanut Butter Treat

Now that the ganache is ready and the brownies are cooled, the fun begins. This is where you can call in the little ones, wash their little hands, and let them help you create a masterpiece on top of the brownies and ganache.

Add an alternating spoonful of the melted chocolate ganache colors to make a cool pattern like the one in image 2 shown here. Then take a butter knife or a toothpick and create the swirl pattern.

Time to decorate- put all those candies and the peanut butter layer on in a creative design and sprinkle on areas of colored sugar too. They will set in the colored chocolate mixture nicely once it is completely cooled.

Got Halloween? EYE do! ?️(I Just had to.)

Slice, display, and enjoy!

Variations and Substitutions:

There are so many ways you can switch up this recipe to meet the taste and holiday décor needs of your household. So, feel free to get creative and make these chewy brownies your favorite spooky dessert!

Storage and Reheating

Storage:

I love to display my confections at room temperature and under a glass cake dome.

If you are not serving them right away, go ahead and cover with foil, plastic wrap, or place them in an airtight container with sheets of parchment between the layers of brownies. Then keep them in the refrigerator for 3 days or so.

If you are taking these beauties to an outdoor celebration, be sure to keep them in a cooler until ready to share. You do not want the chocolates out in the sun, especially if you are in Florida, like me!

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