These Melted Jack O’ Lantern Brownies are a fun and spooky Halloween treat made with rich, fudgy brownies, topped with gooey marshmallows and decorated to look like melting jack-o’-lanterns. They’re perfect for parties or a festive baking session.
Why I’ll Love This Recipe
I love how these brownies bring creativity and deliciousness together. The soft, chewy brownie base pairs perfectly with the gooey marshmallow top. Decorating each one like a melting jack-o’-lantern adds a fun and spooky twist that’s perfect for Halloween. It’s also a great activity to do with kids or friends.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Boxed brownie mix (plus ingredients called for on the box)
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Large marshmallows
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Orange candy melts
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Black gel icing (for decorating faces)
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Green M&M’s or green icing (optional, for pumpkin stems)
Directions
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I preheat the oven and prepare the brownie batter according to the package instructions.
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I pour the batter into a greased or lined baking pan and bake until set.
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Once the brownies are cooled, I cut them into squares.
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I place a marshmallow on top of each brownie and return them to the oven just until the marshmallows puff up (about 2-3 minutes).
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I melt the orange candy melts and spoon it over the marshmallows to make it look like they’re melting.
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I use black gel icing to draw spooky jack-o’-lantern faces.
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I top each with a green M&M or a dot of green icing to mimic a stem.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 12 brownies. Prep time is around 10 minutes, baking takes 25-30 minutes, and decorating takes another 10 minutes.
Variations
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I sometimes use homemade brownie batter instead of boxed mix for a richer flavor.
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For a twist, I swap orange candy melts with white chocolate tinted orange.
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I make mini versions by baking brownies in a mini muffin tin.
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Instead of green M&M’s, I add green licorice or candy sticks for stems.
Storage/Reheating
I store these brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If I need to keep them longer, I refrigerate them for up to a week. They’re best enjoyed at room temperature, so I let them sit out for a bit before serving.
FAQs
How do I keep the marshmallows from melting too much?
I only heat them for 2-3 minutes, just until they puff. Watching them closely helps avoid a complete melt.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, I like to make them the day before and decorate them closer to serving time for the freshest look.
Do I have to use candy melts?
No, I’ve used white chocolate with food coloring before and it works just as well.
What if I don’t have gel icing?
I use melted chocolate in a piping bag or a toothpick dipped in black icing to draw the faces.
Can I freeze these brownies?
I wouldn’t recommend freezing once decorated, but undecorated brownies freeze well for up to 2 months.
Conclusion
Melted Jack O’ Lantern Brownies are a festive, fun, and tasty way to celebrate Halloween. I love how easy they are to customize and how much fun I have decorating them. Whether for a party or a cozy night in, these brownies always bring spooky sweetness to the table.
Print
Melted Jack O’ Lantern Brownies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: 40–45 minutes
- Yield: 12 brownies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Melted Jack O’ Lantern Brownies are a fun and spooky Halloween treat made with rich, fudgy brownies, topped with gooey marshmallows and decorated to look like melting jack-o’-lanterns. Perfect for parties or festive baking.
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients called for on the box, usually eggs, oil, and water)
- 12 large marshmallows
- 1 cup orange candy melts
- Black gel icing (for decorating faces)
- 12 green M&M’s or green icing (optional, for pumpkin stems)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare brownie batter according to the package instructions.
- Pour the batter into a greased or lined baking pan and bake as directed, usually 25–30 minutes, until set.
- Let brownies cool completely, then cut into 12 squares.
- Place a large marshmallow on top of each brownie square.
- Return to the oven for 2–3 minutes until the marshmallows puff up but don’t melt completely.
- Melt orange candy melts according to package instructions.
- Spoon melted orange candy over each marshmallow to resemble melting pumpkins.
- Use black gel icing to draw jack-o’-lantern faces on the candy-covered marshmallows.
- Add a green M&M or a dot of green icing on top to mimic a pumpkin stem.
- Let decorations set before serving or storing.
Notes
- Only heat marshmallows briefly to avoid full melting.
- Decorate just before serving for best appearance.
- Use homemade brownies for a richer flavor if desired.
- White chocolate tinted with food coloring can replace candy melts.
- Undecorated brownies can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
