Introduction

When it comes to Halloween desserts, nothing beats a recipe that’s both adorable and delicious. These Halloween Bat Brownies check all the boxes—they’re fudgy, chocolatey, and incredibly festive with their bat-inspired design. Made with just a box of brownie mix, some chocolate sandwich cookies, and a pair of candy eyes, they’re simple enough for beginner bakers while still being impressive enough to wow your Halloween party guests. Whether you’re hosting a school event, a family gathering, or a spooky movie night, these bat brownies will steal the show. Plus, they’re perfect for little hands to help decorate, making them a family-friendly baking project everyone will love.

My recipe story

Every Halloween, I try to come up with a creative dessert that makes people smile as soon as they see it. A few years ago, while baking brownies for a school bake sale, I realized how easy it would be to transform them into bats with just a couple of extra ingredients. I had Oreos in the pantry and some candy eyes left over from decorating cupcakes, so I gave it a try. The result was a batch of the cutest (and tastiest) Halloween treats I had ever made. Since then, these Halloween Bat Brownies have become a tradition in my home. They’re the recipe I return to every October because they combine spooky fun with rich chocolatey goodness. And the best part? They require almost no extra work compared to making plain brownies!

💡 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Minimal ingredients and effort—perfect for busy Halloween schedules.

Great for kids to decorate and enjoy making together as a family.
Customizable—you can use homemade brownies or a boxed mix.
Adorable bat design makes them a standout at parties or bake sales.

Rich, fudgy brownies that taste as good as they look.

Ingredient breakdown

This recipe keeps things wonderfully simple, which is perfect for a busy holiday like Halloween. The foundation is a box of brownie mix, but you can absolutely substitute your favorite homemade recipe if you’d prefer. Most boxed mixes only require eggs, oil, and water, and they bake up dense and fudgy—ideal for cutting into bat shapes.

Chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos) play double duty as both decoration and texture. By splitting them in half and carefully cutting them, you can create bat wings that perch perfectly on your brownies. Plus, the cookies add a satisfying crunch that complements the soft, gooey brownies.

The finishing touch is candy eyes. These instantly bring your bats to life, giving each brownie a fun, whimsical personality. You can find candy eyes at most baking supply stores, craft shops, or even in the seasonal aisle of your grocery store during October. If you can’t find them, small dots of white frosting with a chocolate chip center make an easy DIY substitute.

Equipment you’ll need

9×13-inch baking pan
Parchment paper (for easy brownie removal)

Mixing bowls
Spatula or wooden spoon
Sharp knife for cutting brownies

Small knife for separating cookies
Toothpicks or melted chocolate for attaching wings and eyes

Step-by-step directions

Step 1: Prepare your brownie batter. Preheat your oven as directed on your brownie mix box. Line your baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal later. In a mixing bowl, combine the brownie mix with eggs, oil, and water, following package instructions. Stir until smooth and fully combined, being careful not to overmix.

Step 2: Bake the brownies. Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it into the corners so it bakes evenly. Place the pan in the oven and bake for the recommended time. You’ll know they’re ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.

Step 3: Cool and cut. Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting—this helps prevent crumbling. Once cooled, carefully lift them out using the parchment paper. Cut into 12 equal rectangles or squares, depending on your desired bat shape. Each brownie will serve as the bat’s body.

Step 4: Prepare the bat wings. Twist apart your sandwich cookies to separate the halves. Gently scrape off the cream filling. Using a sharp knife, cut each cookie half down the middle to form two wing shapes. Repeat with all cookies until you have enough wings for your brownies.

Step 5: Assemble the bats. Place two cookie wings into the sides of each brownie. Secure them by pressing lightly into the brownie, or use a dab of melted chocolate as edible “glue.” Next, attach two candy eyes to the top of each brownie using melted chocolate or frosting. This will instantly transform your brownie into a cute bat.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy. Arrange your bat brownies on a festive Halloween platter. They’re ready to serve immediately but can also be stored for later. Watch as kids and adults alike are delighted by their spooky charm!

Variations & substitutions

You can easily customize these brownies to fit your preferences or dietary needs. Swap the boxed brownie mix for a gluten-free version to make them celiac-friendly. For extra richness, fold in chocolate chips or swirl peanut butter into the batter before baking. If Oreos aren’t your favorite, try chocolate graham crackers or pretzel sticks as bat wings for a crunchy twist. For candy eyes, you can make your own using dots of white icing and mini chocolate chips if store-bought ones aren’t available.

💡 Expert Tips & Troubleshooting

Let brownies cool completely before cutting to avoid crumbling edges.
Use a warm, sharp knife for clean slices—wipe between cuts for best results.

If cookie wings break, don’t worry—just cut more halves and choose sturdy ones.
Melted chocolate works better than frosting for attaching wings and eyes since it hardens as it cools.
To make brownies extra fudgy, underbake them slightly by 1–2 minutes.

Storage, freezing & make-ahead

Store your Halloween Bat Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to make them ahead of time, bake the brownies, cut them, and store them undecorated. Assemble the bats with wings and eyes on the day of serving to keep everything looking fresh. For longer storage, freeze the undecorated brownies for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, then decorate as usual.

Serving ideas & pairings

These bat brownies are perfect on their own, but you can also serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent Halloween dessert. Pair them with a glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or even a festive Halloween punch. For a party display, place them on a black platter surrounded by candy corn, gummy worms, or other spooky candies to complete the look.

FAQ

Can I use homemade brownies instead of a box mix?
Absolutely! Any dense, fudgy brownie recipe will work well for this project.

Where can I find candy eyes?
You can find candy eyes in most craft stores, big-box retailers, or online, especially around Halloween season.

Do I have to use Oreos for the wings?
No, you can use any chocolate cookie, graham crackers, or even pretzel sticks to create wings.

How do I keep the wings from falling off?
Using melted chocolate as glue helps secure the wings firmly in place.

Can these be made in advance?
Yes, you can bake and cut the brownies in advance. For best results, assemble with wings and eyes on the day you plan to serve them.

Final thoughts

Halloween Bat Brownies are a fun, festive, and tasty way to celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year. With minimal ingredients and maximum impact, they’re a perfect choice for both kids and adults. Whether you’re baking them for a school event, a family gathering, or just a cozy night in, these brownies are guaranteed to bring smiles and a little Halloween magic. Try them this season and watch them fly off the plate—literally!

Halloween Bat Brownies

Author: Sarah White
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12 brownies 1x

Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Halloween Bat Brownies are fudgy, chocolatey, and decorated with cookie wings and candy eyes for a spooky-cute treat. Perfect for parties, school events, or family fun.

Ingredients

Scale

1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients listed on package: usually eggs, oil, and water)
12 chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)

24 candy eyes
Melted chocolate or frosting (for attaching decorations)

Instructions

Preheat oven as directed on your brownie mix package. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

Mix the brownie batter according to package instructions and pour it into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
Let the brownies cool completely, then lift them out of the pan and cut into 12 equal pieces.
Twist apart the sandwich cookies, scrape off filling, and cut each half into two wings.

Insert two cookie wings into each brownie, securing with melted chocolate if needed. Attach two candy eyes to the top of each brownie with melted chocolate or frosting.
Arrange on a platter and serve immediately, or store until ready to enjoy.

Notes

For extra fun, serve with ice cream or hot cocoa. Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For make-ahead, bake and cut brownies in advance, then decorate before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking

Cuisine: American