Ghost Brownies: Delightful Halloween Treats

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Ghost Brownies have become my absolute favorite part of spooky season. I remember the first time I made these with my niece a few years ago; her little face lit up with pure joy as we decorated the fudgy chocolate squares with marshmallow ghosts. The aroma of rich chocolate baking, followed by the sweet, melted white chocolate creating those adorable ghost shapes, fills my kitchen with such a festive spirit. These are perfect for any Halloween gathering, and especially a hit as Halloween Brownies that even the littlest goblins will adore. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Ghost Brownie Recipe

Incredibly fudgy and rich chocolate flavor that’s utterly irresistible.
Super quick prep time, perfect for busy parents or last-minute party plans.
A fun and festive way to get into the Halloween spirit without a lot of fuss.
This Ghost Brownie Recipe is budget-friendly, using common pantry staples.
Kid-friendly activity – they’ll love helping with the decorating!
The adorable marshmallow ghosts add a delightful chewy texture and sweetness.
A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages at any Halloween party.
This easy Ghost Brownie Recipe makes baking fun and simple.

Ingredients for Ghost Brownies

Gather these goodies for your spooktacular baking adventure. We’ll start with the base for these delicious Halloween Brownies, then move on to the adorable ghost decorations.

1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients listed on the box) OR for homemade:
1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients listed on the box) OR for homemade:
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
⅓ cup (40g) cocoa powder, unsweetened
½ cup (65g) all-purpose flour
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp baking powder
For the Ghost Decorations:
12 large marshmallows
1 cup (225g) white chocolate chips or candy melts – crucial for creating those classic White Chocolate Ghost Brownies.
Candy eyeballs
Black decorating gel or melted dark chocolate

How to Make Ghost Brownies

Step 1: Let’s get started on these fun Halloween Brownies by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your baking pan by lining an 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper. This makes cleanup a breeze!
Step 2: Prepare your brownie batter. You can use a boxed mix according to the package directions, or whip up a quick homemade batch using the ingredients listed above. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Step 3: Bake the brownies for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. The aroma filling your kitchen will be pure chocolate bliss!
Step 4: Once baked, let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is super important; if they’re still warm, your marshmallow ghosts will melt right off! Patience is key for perfect Ghost Shaped Brownies.
Step 5: Once the brownies are totally cool, carefully slice them into 12 equal squares. Gently place one large marshmallow on top of each brownie square.
Step 6: Now for the melting magic! Place the white chocolate chips or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chocolate is completely smooth and pourable. This is how we achieve those lovely White Chocolate Ghost Brownies.
Step 7: Spoon a generous amount of the melted white chocolate over each marshmallow, allowing it to drip down the sides to create a draped ghost shape. Work quickly so the chocolate doesn’t start to set.
Step 8: While the white chocolate is still warm and slightly gooey, gently press two candy eyeballs onto each marshmallow ghost. This is where they start to really come alive!
Step 9: For the final touch of How to Make Ghost Brownies, use black decorating gel or a bit of melted dark chocolate to draw little ghost faces on each one. Get creative with smiles, surprised looks, or even a tiny frown!
Step 10: Let the decorated brownies rest at room temperature until the white chocolate has fully set. This ensures your spooky creations stay put. Enjoy your delicious Ghost Brownies!

Ghost Brownie Decorating Ideas

Now for the really fun part – bringing these spooky treats to life! Here are a few tips to make your creations extra special and ensure they turn out perfectly.

Cool completely: I can’t stress this enough – your brownies must be thoroughly cooled before you even think about adding marshmallows. This prevents a melty mess.
Work in batches: Melt your white chocolate in small amounts. This way, it stays smooth and pliable for decorating, especially when adding those candy eyes.
Quality white chocolate matters: Using good quality white chocolate chips or candy melts will give you a smoother finish and make it easier to create those perfect ghost drapes.
Embrace imperfection: The charm of these Ghost Brownies is their handmade, slightly imperfect look. Don’t stress if a ghost isn’t perfectly symmetrical!
Get creative with faces: Use black decorating gel, melted dark chocolate, or even small pieces of black licorice to give your ghosts personality.

How to Decorate Brownies like Ghosts

For a professional look on your Ghost Shaped Brownies, use a piping bag with a small round tip filled with melted white chocolate. This gives you more control to create defined ghost shapes and add those cute eyes with precision. It’s a little extra effort that makes a big difference! For more baking inspiration, check out our recipes section.

What are the best decorations for Spooky Brownies?

Beyond candy eyes and white chocolate, consider using black decorating gel for finer details, or even small edible googly eyes. For meal prep, you can bake and cool the brownies a day in advance, storing them in an airtight container. Decorate them just a few hours before serving to keep everything fresh. You can learn more about food safety and storage from the FDA.

Creative Ghost Brownies: Tips for unique designs

A common pitfall is using chocolate that’s too hot, which can melt the marshmallows too much. Ensure your white chocolate is just warm enough to be pourable, not scalding. Another tip is to gently press the candy eyes into the still-warm chocolate; this helps them adhere securely and prevents them from falling off. For more baking tips, you might find our about me page helpful.

Best Ways to Serve Ghost Brownies

These adorable Ghost Brownies are fantastic on their own, but I love serving them in a few different ways to make any Halloween gathering extra special. They’re perfect for a Halloween party dessert table, or even just as a fun afternoon treat. For a truly decadent pairing, consider serving them alongside a glass of cold milk or even hot cocoa, which beautifully complements the rich chocolate flavor. You can also arrange them on a platter with other Halloween treats for a festive spread. For those who love an extra chocolatey experience, try pairing your Ghostly Chocolate Brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream – the contrast in temperature and texture is divine! If you’re looking for more festive recipes, explore our recipes.

Nutrition Facts for Ghost Brownies

Here’s a look at the estimated nutritional breakdown per serving for these delightful Halloween Brownies:

Calories: 240
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 150mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used in your Ghost Brownie Recipe. For more information on nutrition, you can visit Nutritionix.

How to Store and Reheat Ghost Brownies

Properly storing your spooky creations ensures they stay fresh and delicious. First, make sure your Ghost Brownies are completely cool before storing. This is crucial to prevent condensation, which can make them soggy. For short-term storage, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to keep them longer, the refrigerator is your best bet; they’ll stay good for about 3-4 days, though the texture might firm up slightly. For tips on proper food storage, you can check out our contact page for more resources.

Planning even further ahead? You can freeze your Ghost Brownies! It’s best to freeze them before adding the decorations, or wrap the decorated ones very carefully to protect the candy eyes and faces. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they’ll keep well for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply bring them back to room temperature. If they seem a bit stiff from the cold, a few seconds in the microwave on low power can often revive their fudgy texture, making them taste almost as good as freshly baked.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ghost Brownies

What are Ghost Brownies?

Ghost Brownies are a fun and festive Halloween treat made from fudgy chocolate brownies topped with adorable ghost decorations. Typically, these involve placing a marshmallow on a cooled brownie and coating it with melted white chocolate to form a ghost shape, complete with candy eyes. They’re a creative way to bring spooky fun to your dessert table. For more about our baking philosophy, see our about page.

Can I make Ghost Brownies ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! You can bake and cool the brownies a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container. I usually decorate them the day before the party. Just make sure to let the white chocolate fully set before stacking or covering them. They hold up beautifully, making them perfect for party prep!

What if I don’t have white chocolate for the ghost topping?

No worries if you’re out of white chocolate! You can use melted candy melts, which are specifically designed for decorating and set up firm. Another option for a similar effect on your Spooky Brownies is to use a simple powdered sugar glaze made with powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and a tiny bit of vanilla extract. You might need to adjust the consistency to get that perfect ghostly drape.

Are these Ghost Brownies suitable for kids to help make?

Yes, these are fantastic for involving kids! They’ll love helping to place the marshmallows, spooning the white chocolate (with supervision, of course!), and especially adding the candy eyes and drawing the little ghost faces. It’s a wonderful way to create lasting Halloween memories together, making them a perfect choice for Ghost Brownies for Kids. You can find more kid-friendly recipes on our recipes page.

Variations of Ghost Brownies You Can Try

While the classic fudgy brownie with a marshmallow ghost is amazing, there are so many fun ways to switch up these Halloween Brownies. I love experimenting with different flavors and methods to keep things exciting!

Dietary Modifications: For gluten-free friends, simply use your favorite gluten-free brownie mix or recipe. You can also adapt these for dairy-free diets by using a dairy-free brownie mix and dairy-free white chocolate or candy melts for the ghost topping.
No-Bake Option: Craving something quick? Try making No-Bake Ghost Brownies! Use crushed graham crackers or cookies mixed with melted butter and a bit of sweetened condensed milk as your base, press it into a pan, chill, and then add your marshmallow ghosts. It’s a fantastic shortcut for a speedy treat.
Flavor Boosts: Amp up the chocolate flavor by adding a teaspoon of espresso powder to your brownie batter. You could also swirl in some peanut butter or caramel into the raw batter before baking for an extra layer of deliciousness.
Creative Toppings: Instead of just white chocolate, try using a cream cheese frosting piped into ghost shapes, or even a simple powdered sugar glaze. For a more vibrant look, you can tint the white chocolate with a tiny bit of food coloring for different colored ghosts!