• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • All Recipes
  • IP Calculator
  • SV Chart
  • Using Grow
  • Subscribe

Smells Like Delish

menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • IP Calculator
  • SV Chart
  • Using Grow
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • IP Calculator
    • SV Chart
    • Using Grow
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Published: Sep 10, 2022 · Modified: Feb 4, 2023 by Kelly Bloom · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Yummly
    • YouTube

    Hocus Pocus Brownies

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Halloween Hocus Pocus Brownies in a pan.

    If you're looking for a quick and easy way to dress up brownies for this coming Halloween, look no further than these Hocus Pocus Brownies. They're simple to make and will really wow your kids or guests.

    You can either make these brownies from scratch, or just simply use a brownie box mix!

    For more sweet Trick or Treats we have Halloween Orange Sherbet Punch, Halloween Sugar Sprinkle Cookies, Halloween Snack Mix, Reese's Peanut Butter Fudge, Monster Cookie Truffles, Brain Jello, and Reeses Peanut Butter Cookies. Your party guest will have a spooky time at your Halloween table!

    Halloween Hocus Pocus Brownies in a pan.

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    Brownies are very easy to make from scratch, but even faster with a box mix. Either way, these Halloween brownies are an absolute snap to make.

    This frosted brownie tutorial is simple enough that your kids can decorate brownies for Halloween. Just mix up the frosting for them and let them have at it. There is really no right or wrong way to decorate these frosted brownies.

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Hocus Pocus Brownies
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage
    • Tips for Success
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Food Safety
    • Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
    • Connect with Smells Like Delish!
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients

    You will bake a batch of brownies in a 9 x 13" pan. If you prefer, just bake a store bought brownie mix! Use a tub of ready made frosting, or make a batch of our Basic Cream Cheese Frosting.

    9 x 13 pan of brownies and three bowls of icing.
    • 9 x 13 Pan Brownies from mix, or homemade. You can double our Hershey Cocoa Brownie recipe also!
    • Tub of Vanilla Frosting or recipe
    • Candy eyes (sold at Walmart, Amazon, and Michael's, etc)
    • Package of baking Reese's Pieces & Mini Cups
    • Reese's Peanut Butter baking Chips
    • Black Gel food colorant
    • Orange Gel food colorant

    If you can't find the baking mix of Reese's Pieces and Mini Peanut Butter cups, just buy one individual size bag of Reese's Pieces and another individual size bag of Reese's Mini Peanut Butter Cups. You won't need more than that.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    How to Make Hocus Pocus Brownies

    Make sure the pan of brownies you are using (either homemade or box mix) are completely cooled. This tutorial will show you how to decorate brownies for Halloween.

    Step 1. Divide the Frosting

    Divide the frosting equally between three small bowls. Two of the bowls will have colorant added and mixed into them. One bowl will remain uncolored. Be sure to buy either the Vanilla or Cream Cheese frosting. If you make our Basic Cream Cheese Frosting, it will be the base creamy white color.

    three bowls of white frosting and three vials of food colors.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Step 2. Color the Frosting

    Color one of the bowls with some black gel colorant. Don't use liquid colorant, as it will thin our the frosting and make it runny. It won't set up properly on the brownies. If you do have to use liquid black colorant, use some extra powdered sugar to thicken the frosting back up.

    Repeat the procedure on a second bowl of frosting with orange gel colorant. You should now have one bowl of white frosting, black frosting, and orange frosting.

    bowls of black, orange, and white frosting.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Step 3. Dollop the Frosting on the Brownies

    There is no right or wrong way to do this. Just place dollops of each bowl of frosting on top of the brownies. I found the easiest way to get a good 'Camouflage' pattern was to do FIVE dollops of each color, one dollop in each quadrant, and a last dollop toward the center area.

    After spooning out the frosting on top of the brownies, blend them together by pressing down with the back of a spoon. Just make sure the edges of each dollop of frosting press into the one next to it, and kind of smear them together to make a layer covering with no brownie showing.

    9 x 13 pan of brownies decorated with frosting.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Step 4. Add the Candy Decorations

    Don't worry about being perfect. This is one reason these frosted brownies are perfect for kids to do!

    Last, just scatter the Reese's Peanut Butter baking chips and the Reese's Pieces & Mini Cups baking pieces on top of the frosting. Place some candy eyeballs here and there to finish up the look for your very own Hocus Pocus Brownies!

    Halloween Hocus Pocus Brownies in a pan.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve these frosted Halloween brownies for your children, or take them to your next Halloween party.

    For more amazing Halloween Party treats see our Sweet and Sour 'Bat' Wings, Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Halloween 7 Layer Dip for a savory Halloween Party menu or buffet spread.

    Love brownies? See our Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies, Mummy Brownies, Crinkle Brownie Cookies, and Hershey Cocoa Brownies.

    Storage

    Cover the pan of brownies with plastic wrap or aluminum foil until ready to serve. Then, slice and set on a platter. Alternatively, you can turn out the pan of brownies onto a platter, and then frost them.

    Do not refrigerate with the candy eyeballs on them. When you bring the decorated brownies back to room temperature, the candy eyeballs will condensate with moisture and the black centers can bleed.

    Tips for Success

    • If making these brownies up ahead of time and freezing or refrigerating, add the candy eyeballs AFTER defrosting or bringing back to room temp. This will prevent the candy eyes from bleeding or weeping the black centers.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I freeze the leftovers?

    You can! But, if you have candy eyes on the brownies you freeze, they will discolor when you remove them from the freezer and they defrost.

    Can I do this with a 8 x 8 pan of brownies?

    Yes, you will just have left over frosting.

    Food Safety

    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love

    • pumpkin butter in a jar.
      Pumpkin Butter
    • bowl of whipped dessert with mandarin orange slice on top.
      Orange Fluff Salad
    • Orange punch in bowl with eyeballs.
      Halloween Orange Sherbet Punch
    • lime green brain mold jello with gummy eyeballs.
      Brain Jello

    Connect with Smells Like Delish!

    Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts.

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Yummly
    • YouTube

    📖 Recipe

    Halloween Hocus Pocus Brownies in a pan.
    Print Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 2 votes

    Hocus Pocus Brownies

    If you're looking for a quick and easy way to dress up brownies for this coming Halloween, look no further than these Hocus Pocus Brownies. They're simple to make and will really wow your kids or guests. You can make the brownies from scratch or just simply use a brownie box mix!
    Prep Time30 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Desserts
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 12 large brownies
    Calories: 376kcal
    Author: Kelly Bloom

    Equipment

    • Candy Eyeballs
    • Orange Gel Colorant
    • Black Gel Colorant

    Ingredients

    • 1 box brownie mix
    • 1 tub Vanilla frosting
    • 4 oz Reese's Peanut Butter baking chips
    • 4 oz Reese's Pieces candies
    • 4 oz Reese's Mini Peanut Butter cups
    • candy eye balls
    • orange gel colorant
    • black gel colorant
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Bake the brownie mix according to the package instructions. Let it cool completely before frosting and decorating.
      1 box brownie mix
    • Divide the tub of frosting equally into three small bowls.
      1 tub Vanilla frosting
    • Color one bowl with the black gel food color and blend in well.
      black gel colorant
    • Color the second bowl with the orange gel food color and blend in well. Leave the third bowl uncolored.
      orange gel colorant
    • Create a camouflage pattern with the three frosting colors by making 5 scattered dollops or spoonfuls of each color of frosting on the top of the brownies.
    • Using the back of a spoon, smear and blend in the spoonfuls of frosting so that none of the brownie top shows.
    • Scatter Reese's Pieces candies on top of the frosting. Scatter Reese's Peanut Butter baking chips on the top of the frosting. Scatter Mini Reese's Peanut Butter cups on the top of the frosting also.
      4 oz Reese's Peanut Butter baking chips, 4 oz Reese's Pieces candies, 4 oz Reese's Mini Peanut Butter cups
    • Last, place the candy eyes on various spots on the top of the brownies, to make your own Hocus Pocus Brownies!
      candy eye balls

    Nutrition

    Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 191mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword : cream cheese frosted brownies, frosted brownies, Halloween Brownies, hocus pocus brownies, recipe for halloween brownies

    Like this recipe? Be sure to share it, pin it, or add it to your collection!

    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Twitter

    Join our newsletter for the latest recipes!

    More Cookie Recipes

    • brownies with cream cheese frosting.
      Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Danish wedding cookies rolled in powdered sugar.
      Danish Wedding Cookies
    • three hershey cocoa brownies stacked on white marble with crumbs nearby
      Hershey Cocoa Brownies
    • Lemon zest garnished Lemon thumbprint cookies.
      Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Author photo for Kelly Bloom

    Hi, I'm Kelly! and I have a love affair with herbs & spices! Here at Smells Like Delish, I'm all about creating food that has three aspects: flavor, aroma, and texture - to create satisfying fare!

    More about me →

    Newest Recipes

    • Serving dish of air fryer orange chicken and white rice with potstickers in the background.
      Air Fryer Orange Chicken
    • platter full of pot stickers with soy sauce dip in the middle and chop sticks nearby.
      Air Fryer Frozen Potstickers
    • fluffy rice on a wooden spoon over a rice cooker full of cooked rice.
      Aroma Rice Cooker Instructions
    • serving bowl of panda express string bean chicken with blue teapot nearby.
      Panda Express String Bean Chicken
    recipe newsletter

    Diet Friendly Recipes

    • guacamole with tortilla chips on a platter.
      4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
    • Salmon filet in a serving dish with rice pilaf and brussels sprouts.
      Longhorns Salmon Recipe
    • serving dish with blackened mahi mahi and lemon wedges with tartar sauce in a bowl.
      Blackened Mahi Mahi
    • platter of roasted asparagus garnished with cheese and lemon.
      Air Fryer Frozen Asparagus

    Asian Inspirations

    • blue and white porcelain bowl full of steamed white rice.
      Fluffy Steamed White Rice
    • slicked chicken Katsu in a bento box.
      Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
    • beef & broccoli stir fry in a skillet.
      Panda Express Beef and Broccoli
    • powdered sugar dusted croffles on a serving platter.
      Croffles (Croissant Waffles)

    Recommended

    • del frisco's butter cake with ice cream, caramel sauce, and whip cream.
      Del Frisco's Butter Cake
    • serving bowl of mashed potatoes garnished with butter & parsley.
      Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes
    • A corn muffin with the wrapper removed.
      Cracker Barrel Cornbread Recipe
    • small plate with cut pork lumpia and a small bowl of dipping sauce nearby
      Traditional Pork Lumpia
    • close up of serving bowl with black beans, tostones, cilantro.
      Instant Pot Cuban Black Beans
    • close up of white serving platter with three grilled pork chops and a green napkin on a white background
      Pan Grilled Steakhouse Pork Chops

    International Favorites

    • air fried samosa appetizers with dip.
      Air Fryer Frozen Samosa
    • Fried Sweet Plantains in a serving dish.
      Fried Sweet Plantains (Platanos Maduros)
    • Bowl of Chimichurri rice.
      Chimichurri Rice
    • ghana meat pies on a platter.
      Ghanaian Meat Pie

    Footer

    ↑ back to top
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Contact
    • About
    • Amazon Store
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Youtube
    • LinkedIn

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Smells Like Delish