Spooky & Sweet: Easy Monster Brownies – Your Ultimate Halloween Treat!
Halloween has always ignited a special kind of creativity in me, transforming my kitchen into a playful laboratory for spooky, delightful treats. As someone who absolutely loves crafting – so much so that I maintain a dedicated craft blog – Halloween is the one holiday that truly brings out my inner crafting craze. Over the years, I’ve developed a deep obsession with all things monstrous, which makes creating monster-themed goodies an absolute joy! So, when the amazing team at General Mills presented a challenge to several food bloggers to create a festively sweet Halloween treat using their cereals, I knew immediately that I had found my next culinary adventure. The idea of combining delicious brownies with crunchy, colorful cereals to bring cute, edible monsters to life was simply too exciting to resist.
And so, with great enthusiasm, I present to you these incredibly fun and utterly delicious Brownie Monster Treats! These aren’t just any brownies; they’re tiny, adorable monsters designed to bring smiles and a touch of spooky cheer to your Halloween celebrations. To make the process as straightforward and enjoyable as possible, especially if you have little helpers in the kitchen, I opted for a convenient boxed brownie mix. This choice significantly cuts down on prep time, allowing you to focus on the most exciting part: the decorating! Of course, if you have a cherished homemade brownie recipe that you swear by, feel free to use it – the monsters will be just as charming. For these particular creations, I chose three vibrant and flavorful General Mills cereals: Trix, Cheerios, and Cocoa Puffs, each adding a unique texture and pop of color. To further simplify the decorating process and ensure it was truly kid-friendly, I also incorporated Betty Crocker decorating cookie icing, which comes in convenient tubes, making precise decorating a breeze.
One of the best discoveries for this project was the accessibility of pre-packaged royal icing. These ready-to-use icing bags are fantastic! They typically come in a wide array of vibrant colors, which is incredibly helpful when you’re trying to achieve specific monster aesthetics without the hassle of mixing dozens of food colorings. Unfortunately, my local grocery store had a somewhat limited selection, only stocking red, green, and white. To achieve the broader spectrum of colors I envisioned for my monster brownies, I had to supplement with some gel food coloring. While effective, I quickly noticed that the icing directly from the pre-packaged bags dried to a much smoother, more professional finish. Therefore, for optimal results and convenience, I wholeheartedly recommend trying to find and purchase the exact colors you need in pre-made royal icing bags rather than attempting to mix them yourself with gel colors. This will save you time and ensure a perfectly polished look for your adorable brownie monsters.
Another fantastic advantage of using royal icing for these treats is its unique drying property. Once it sets, royal icing becomes firm and dry to the touch (unlike some gel icings I’ve encountered that seem to stay sticky forever, *chuckles*). This means you can easily package your finished brownie monsters in cellophane gift bags, making them perfect for school parties, Halloween party favors, or even as delightful gifts for trick-or-treaters. Imagine handing out these homemade, creatively decorated brownies! And while you’re in the spirit of crafting and gifting, don’t forget to check out my bread tag monsters tutorial. These little recycled monsters make adorable and eco-friendly bag closures for your sweet treats, adding an extra personal touch to your Halloween goodie bags.
Now that we’ve covered the inspiration and key elements, it’s time to dive into the exciting part – bringing these monstrously cute brownies to life! This recipe is not just about baking; it’s about unleashing your inner artist and creating edible masterpieces that are sure to be the star of any Halloween gathering. Get ready to transform simple brownies into a parade of quirky, colorful creatures that are almost too cute to eat (but you definitely will!).
Monster Brownie Treats: The Recipe
Creating these delightful Monster Brownie Treats is a wonderful activity for all ages, offering both baking satisfaction and endless creative possibilities for decorating. Follow these steps to make your own batch of spooky, sweet monsters!
Ingredients:
- 1 box (standard size) brownie mix, plus ingredients called for on the box (eggs, oil, water)
- Betty Crocker Cookie Icing in desired Halloween colors (red, green, orange, purple, black, white)
- Assorted General Mills cereals: Cheerios (any variety), Cocoa Puffs, and Trix
- Mini chocolate chips
- Pretzel sticks
- Red and black decorator gel (for fine details)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- Milk (a small amount, for glaze)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Base
Begin by preparing your brownies according to the package directions for your chosen boxed mix. Make sure not to overbake them, as you want them to remain moist and fudgy – perfect for our monster creations! Once baked, it’s crucial to allow the brownies to cool completely. For even cleaner cuts and easier handling during decoration, I highly recommend refrigerating the cooled brownie slab for at least 30 minutes, or even an hour. This firming-up process will prevent crumbling and ensure sharp, distinct shapes for your monsters. Once thoroughly chilled, it’s time to cut them. Start by trimming off the crispy edges – these are your chef’s treats, so enjoy them! Then, cut the remaining brownies into various sized rectangles and squares. Don’t be afraid to get creative with any odd-shaped leftovers; I often cut them into triangles or other unique shapes to create a diverse cast of monster characters. This variety adds to the fun and personality of your monster brownie batch.
Step 2: Crafting the Spooky Eyes (Allow for Drying Time!)
This step is critical and should be done first, as it requires adequate time for the glaze to dry and set. To make these iconic monster eyes, you’ll need Cheerios (any plain variety works perfectly), mini chocolate chips, powdered sugar, and a tiny bit of milk. In a small bowl, place the ¼ cup of powdered sugar. Now, using a spoon, gradually stir in the milk, adding just a little bit at a time. The key here is consistency: you want a glaze that is thick enough to coat the Cheerios without being too watery, but thin enough to easily dip. Start with about a teaspoon of milk and add a couple of drops at a time, mixing thoroughly, until you achieve a smooth, dippable glaze that resembles a thin pancake batter. Patience is key here to get it just right.
Next, carefully drop a few Cheerios into the prepared glaze, ensuring they are fully coated. Using a spoon or a fork, gently lift the glazed Cheerios out, allowing any excess glaze to drip off, and place them onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. This prevents sticking and makes them easy to remove later.
Immediately after placing the glazed Cheerio on the wax paper, take a mini chocolate chip and, turning it upside down (so the flat side is facing up), gently press it into the center of the glazed Cheerio. This creates the pupil of our monster eye. Repeat this process for all the eyes you need. Once all the eyes are assembled, set the cookie sheet aside in a cool, dry place and allow the glaze to dry completely. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the humidity. Fully dried eyes will be much easier to handle and attach to your brownies.
Step 3: Preparing Your Icing Colors
While I do have my own favorite royal icing recipe, and you are welcome to use yours, the beauty of this particular monster brownie recipe lies in its simplicity and kid-friendly nature. This is where prepackaged cookie icings truly shine. They are designed for easy use, often coming in squeeze tubes that are perfect for little hands to manage without much mess. These icings are widely available, and you can usually find them in a fantastic range of colors. As mentioned, if your store has a limited selection, like mine sometimes does, you can mix in a few drops of gel food coloring to achieve your desired hues. However, a small tip from my experience: if you do mix in gel coloring, the icing might not dry as smoothly or as quickly as the pre-colored versions directly from the tube. The convenience and smooth finish of the pre-colored tubes are hard to beat! The best part? This icing comes out perfectly from the tube, making it super easy to apply directly onto your brownies, allowing for quick and vibrant frosting.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to mix your own colors or thin out some of the pre-made icing, you might discover that a clean, new paintbrush is an excellent tool for application. It allows for precise control, especially when trying to spread icing evenly or create specific shapes on your brownies. Just make sure it’s a brush designated solely for food use!
Step 4: Decorating Your Monster Brownies – Unleash Your Creativity!
Now for the truly fun part! Once your brownies are cut and your icing is ready, it’s time to transform them into adorable monsters. Liberally frost each brownie piece with your chosen icing color. While the icing is still wet (this is important for adherence), gently press Trix and Cocoa Puffs cereals into the frosted surface. These cereals make fantastic, colorful polka dots, scales, or even textured fur for your monster creations. Next, carefully lift the dried Cheerio eyes from the waxed paper using a toothpick or a small spatula. Gently press them onto the frosted brownie in various positions – one eye, two eyes, or even three for a truly unique monster! This is where their personalities begin to emerge. You can then use pretzel sticks to create quirky arms, legs, or even horns for your monsters. Finally, grab your red and black decorator gels to add intricate details: draw expressive eyebrows, silly mouths, sharp fangs, or wild, spiky hair. The possibilities are endless, so let your imagination run wild with each brownie, creating a whole family of unique and charming Halloween monsters!
And then, the best part of all – you eat them! Nom nom nom. These monster brownies are not just a treat for the eyes but a delightful explosion of chocolatey goodness and crunchy cereal in every bite. They are guaranteed to be a hit with kids and adults alike, making your Halloween festivities even sweeter.
To give you even more inspiration and help spark your monstrous imagination, here are some close-up shots of various monster designs from my batch. See how different placements of eyes, varied cereal patterns, and simple gel lines can create distinct personalities for each brownie monster. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different expressions and features!
More Halloween Recipes to Spook & Delight!
If you’re looking to continue the Halloween fun beyond these delightful monster brownies, I have a fantastic collection of other spooky and delicious recipes that are perfect for the season. From savory dishes to even more sweet treats, these ideas will help you create a memorable Halloween feast. Make sure to explore these other favorites!
- Ghost Brownies
- Mummy Meatloaf
- Witch Finger Cookies
- Halloween Candy Apples
- Marshmallow Frankensteins
- Jalapeno Popper Mummies
- Spider Web Taco Dip
Monster Brownies
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- Boxed brownie mix
- Betty Crocker Cookie Icing in desired colors
- Cheerios Cocoa Puffs, and Trix cereals
- Mini chocolate chips
- Pretzel sticks
- Red and black decorator gel
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- milk
Instructions
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First, prepare your brownies according to the package instructions and ensure they are thoroughly cooled. For optimal cutting and easier handling during the decorating process, I suggest refrigerating the baked brownies for at least 30-60 minutes until firm. Once cooled and firm, carefully cut off the edges of the brownie slab – these are your delicious samples to enjoy! Then, proceed to cut the remaining brownies into a variety of rectangles and squares of different sizes. Don’t discard any odd-shaped leftovers; you can even cut these into fun triangles to add more unique monster shapes to your collection.
Eyes
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This step should be completed first to allow sufficient time for the glaze to dry and harden, making the eyes easier to handle. To create the monster eyes, gather your Cheerios, mini chocolate chips, powdered sugar, and a small amount of milk. In a small bowl, measure out the powdered sugar. Using a spoon, gradually stir in milk, adding just a few drops at a time, until you achieve a smooth, dippable glaze with a good coating consistency. It should be thick enough to cling to the Cheerios but not too stiff. Begin with about one teaspoon of milk and adjust as needed.
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Carefully drop a few Cheerios into the glaze, ensuring they are fully coated. Use your spoon to lift each glazed Cheerio out, allowing any excess glaze to drip back into the bowl, and place them onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. This prevents them from sticking as they dry.
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Immediately place a mini chocolate chip, inverted (flat side up), into the center of each glazed Cheerio. Gently press the chocolate chip to secure it in place. Set the cookie sheet aside in a cool, dry area and allow the eyes to dry completely. This process can take approximately 30-60 minutes, depending on the humidity.
Icing Colors
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While a homemade royal icing recipe can certainly be used, I highly recommend prepackaged cookie icings for this kid-friendly recipe due to their convenience and ease of use. These icings are often available in a wide spectrum of colors. If your local store has a limited selection, you can incorporate a few drops of gel food coloring to achieve your desired shades. Please note that mixed colors might not dry as smoothly as directly purchased colored icings. The prepackaged icing tubes are fantastic for easy squeezing and direct application onto the brownies, making decorating quick and enjoyable!
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If you do need to mix your icing colors, or if the icing is a bit thick, you might find that a new, clean paintbrush (reserved solely for food use) offers the easiest and most precise way to apply the mixed icing to your brownies, allowing for smoother coverage and more intricate details.
Decorating
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Once your brownies are frosted, gently press Trix and Cocoa Puffs cereals into the wet icing to create colorful polka dots, textured fur, or scales for your monsters. Using a toothpick, carefully lift the dried Cheerio eyes from the waxed paper and gently press them onto the frosted brownies. For arms and legs, insert pretzel sticks. Finally, use red and black decorator gel to add expressive details like eyebrows, mouths (think silly smiles, spooky grins, or surprised gasps!), and wild, spiky hair, giving each monster a unique personality. Let your creativity guide you to make a diverse and fun array of brownie monsters!
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
Even More Monster Fun from My Craft Blog!
If these edible monsters have sparked your desire for more spooky-cute creations, you’re in luck! My craft blog is brimming with monster-themed projects that are perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit. Check out these fun ideas:
- Monster Treat Bags
- Bread Tag Monsters
- Juice Box Monsters
- Halloween Luminaries