These monster brownies are a fun, festive, and incredibly delicious chocolatey treat perfect for any occasion, especially Halloween! They combine the rich, fudgy texture of brownies with colorful candy and sprinkles for a playful presentation that kids and adults alike will adore.
Get ready to whip up a batch of these incredibly fun monster brownies that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. These fudgy delights are sure to become a favorite for parties, bake sales, or simply as a special weekend treat.
What Are Monster Brownies?
Monster brownies are essentially classic fudgy brownies that have been embellished with colorful candies, sprinkles, and sometimes even edible googly eyes to give them a fun, “monstrous” appearance. They are a fantastic way to elevate a simple brownie recipe into something truly special and visually engaging, making them a hit for parties and celebrations.
The beauty of these treats lies in their versatility; you can customize the decorations to fit any theme or holiday, though they are particularly popular for Halloween monster brownies. They offer a playful twist on a beloved dessert, ensuring smiles all around with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
- Assorted candies (M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, Skittles, candy corn)
- Sprinkles (jimmies, nonpareils, edible glitter)
- Optional: Edible googly eyes
How to Make Monster Brownies
Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing and flouring a 9×13 inch baking pan, or lining it with parchment paper. This preparation ensures your brownies will release easily after baking, preventing frustrating breakage.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, ensuring everything is smoothly incorporated.
Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This step helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents and cocoa, preventing pockets of dry ingredients in your final brownies.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or by hand until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to tough brownies; stop mixing as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour.
Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the thick brownie batter. These chips will melt slightly during baking, adding extra pockets of gooey chocolate goodness to your chocolate chip monster brownies.
Bake the Brownies
Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, indicating they are perfectly done.
Cool and Decorate
Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before decorating. This is crucial for preventing the decorations from melting into the warm brownie and ensures clean cuts.
Add the Monster Flair
Once cooled, get creative with your decorations! You can press assorted candies like M&M’s and Reese’s Pieces into the top, sprinkle them with colorful jimmies or nonpareils, and even add edible googly eyes to give them a spooky, fun monster look. For a different texture, consider adding some chewy coconut macaroons to the side for serving.
Cut and Serve
Once decorated, cut the brownies into squares or fun shapes. Serve your festive easy monster brownies and watch them disappear!
Tips for the Best Monster Brownies
Achieving the Perfect Fudgy Texture
To ensure your brownies are perfectly fudgy and not cakey, use melted butter and avoid overmixing the batter once the flour is added. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tougher, cakier texture.
Choosing Your Candies and Sprinkles
Select candies that offer a variety of colors and textures to make your monsters pop. Consider using a mix of smooth candies like M&M’s, slightly chewy ones like Skittles, and crunchy elements like candy corn for a fun mouthfeel. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of sprinkles for added visual appeal, creating truly unique decorated monster brownies.
Making Ahead and Storage
These homemade monster brownies can be baked a day in advance and stored at room temperature in an airtight container. Decorate them just before serving for the freshest look, especially if using delicate candies that might bleed color.
Variations to Try
For a different flavor profile, consider adding a swirl of cream cheese or peanut butter to the batter before baking to create swirled monster brownies. You could also incorporate different types of chocolate chips, like white chocolate or dark chocolate chunks, for added complexity.
Print
Monster Brownies Recipe
- Total Time: PT45M
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Unleash your inner monster with these decadently rich and fudgy brownies, studded with chocolate chips and baked to chewy perfection. Perfect for Halloween or any time you crave a seriously chocolatey treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark)
- Optional: Halloween-themed sprinkles or candy eyes for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached (not wet batter).
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
- Decorate with sprinkles or candy eyes if desired.
Notes
- For extra fudgy brownies, slightly underbake them.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- These brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT30M
- Category: Brownies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
