Category: Halloween

  • Spooky Graveyard Brownies for Halloween

    Spooky Graveyard Brownies for Halloween

    Make an easy batch of graveyard brownies, perfect for your Halloween party. Use Milano cookies, Oreos, and candy pumpkins to decorate these spooky treats!

    You can make the cutest little tombstone brownies with just a little bit of time and a handful of ingredients. They’re so cute and fun to eat too, especially for kids.

    spooky graveyard brownies with Milano Cookies as gravestones, Oreos as dirt, green icing, and candy pumpkins

    The secret to making these brownies quick? Use a brownie mix.

    Why This Recipe Works

    • They’re so quick and easy to make.
    • Brownie mix brownies taste just as good as homemade, especially when they’re chewy.
    • You can just use pre-made decorating icing; or make homemade icing, whatever’s easiest for you.
    • This is a great opportunity to get your kids in the kitchen and let them help decorate too.
    Graveyard brownies ingredients on wooden countertop, including brownie mix brownies, Milano cookies, green and black icing, Oreo Cookies, and candy pumpkins

    Ingredient Notes

    You’ll need just a few things to make Halloween graveyard brownies…

    • Brownies – Make sure you pick out a brownie mix that’ll make brownies that are easy to slice and pull out of the pan, nothing too messy or gooey. I recommend using cake-like or chewy brownies (preferably chewy) that won’t be so gooey and will easily pop right out of the pan.
    • Decorating Icing – You’ll need black and green. You can usually find it in the baking aisle or the cake decorating aisle at the grocery store. If you choose to go with pre-made, just make sure it has a fine enough tip, or you can attach a tip, to write letters on your “gravestone.” If you don’t want to buy icing, you can make homemade cookie frosting; then just separate the icing into two bowls, and mix it with black and green food coloring. I used Wilton Kelly Green and Black icing colors.
    • Oreo CookiesThese will need to be crushed.
    • Milano Cookies They’ll need to be cut or broken in half to make the cookie graves. I like the curvature of Milano Cookies, but you can use other cookies like Oreo cookies, graham crackers, chocolate covered grahams, vanilla wafers, or shortbread cookies.
    • Candy pumpkins – Brach’s Mellowcreme Pumpkins are my favorite.
    [mv_video jsonLd=”true” key=”a5gm9cupp9e0dtyfheww” ratio=”16:9″ thumbnail=”https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/v1634158313/dcscjpfaa1cbv3rgaqot.jpg” title=”Spooky Graveyard Brownies for Halloween”]

    How to Make Graveyard Brownies

    First you’ll need to mix up the brownie mix according to package directions, bake the brownies, and allow them to cool completely. Then slice the brownies into squares or as close to square shaped brownies as you can.

    brownie mix brownies in blue baking dish

    Then to decorate each brownie graveyard, follow these steps:

    1. Using either pre-made icing or homemade icing with Wilton Round Tip 5 (or the closest off brand cake tip) and a small pastry bag, add pumpkin vines (or squiggles) to the top of the brownie with green icing.
    2. Crumble crushed Oreos on top of the green icing.
    3. Break or cut a Milano Cookie in half. Using either pre-made icing or homemade icing with Wilton Round Tip 5 (or the closest off brand cake tip) and a small pastry bag, pipe the letters R.I.P. with black icing.
    4. Pipe black icing onto the cut end of the Milano Cookie.
    steps for how to make graveyard brownies, including adding icing, crushed Oreos, and RIP Milano cookie graves
    1. Press the “gravestone” into the corner of the brownie; and add a dab of green icing to the bottom of a candy pumpkin, and set it in place on the “grave.”
    hand holding finished Halloween graveyard brownie with candy pumpkin on top

    Just remember that perfection is overrated and have fun with this! While there are a few more steps to this brownie, it’s still really easy to make and a really fun way to spend some quality time with your kids in the kitchen.

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    What if I don’t have cake tips and pastry bags?

    Don’t sweat it! If you want to use homemade icing, you can snip the corner of a sandwich bag, fill the bag with icing, and swirl away. Works like a charm! You can also create a DIY pastry bag using parchment paper or wax paper.

    Can I make these ahead of time?

    You can definitely make the brownies ahead of time. But I’d wait to decorate them ’til right before your party or event. That way everything looks fresh and crisp. Because of the ingredients used and the way they’re decorated, they can be more difficult to properly store.

    tombstone brownies with candy corn on wood countertop

    More Halloween Desserts:

    More easy last minute ideas –>> 20+ Halloween snacks for party – including Halloween brownies, party punch, cookies, no bake desserts, treats on a stick, Halloween cupcakes, and more!

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Spooky Graveyard Brownies

    Easy graveyard brownies, perfect for your Halloween party. Use Milano cookies, Oreos, and candy pumpkins to decorate these spooky treats!

    • 15 brownies (baked and cooled)
    • 1 1/2 cups green decorating icing
    • 2 cups Oreo cookies (crushed)
    • 6 Milano Cookies
    • 1 1/2 cups black decorating icing
    • 12 mellowcreme candy pumpkins
    1. Slice the brownies into squares.

    2. Using green decorating icing with a round tip, add pumpkin vines (or squiggles) with green icing to the top of each brownie.

    3. Crumble crushed Oreos on top of the green icing.
    4. Break or cut a Milano Cookie in half.
    5. Using black decorating icing with a round tip, pipe the letters R.I.P. with black icing onto the front of the cookie.

    6. Pipe black icing onto the cut end of the Milano Cookie.
    7. Press the "gravestone" into the corner of the brownie.
    8. Add a dab of green icing to the bottom of a candy pumpkin and set it in place on the grave.

    9. And that’s it! They’re ready to serve for a fun Halloween treat!

    *I recommend using cake-like or chewy brownies (preferably chewy) that won’t be so gooey and will easily pop right out of the pan.

    *If you don’t want to buy icing, you can make homemade cookie frosting; then just separate the icing into two bowls, and mix it with black and green food coloring. Use a pastry bag and round tip to decorate. If you don’t have pastry bags or tips, you can use a sandwich bag instead. Just snip the corner of a sandwich bag, fill the bag with icing, and swirl away. You can also create a DIY pastry bag using parchment paper or wax paper.

    Desserts, Halloween
    American
    brownie graveyard, graveyard brownies, Halloween brownies, Halloween graveyard brownies, how to make graveyard brownies, spooky brownies, tombstone brownies
  • Polyjuice Potion Recipe (Non Alcoholic with 4 Ingredients)

    Polyjuice Potion Recipe (Non Alcoholic with 4 Ingredients)

    Brew a simple Polyjuice Potion recipe for a transformative experience at your Halloween or Harry Potter party. It’s an easy, fun, non alcoholic, lime sherbet punch your guests will love!

    I love orange sherbet punch at Christmas time, but this spooky green sherbet punch is perfect for Halloween festivities.

    mason jar of Polyjuice Potion recipe with lime sherbet punch with candy eyeball and brown paper straw

    What Is Polyjuice Potion?

    Polyjuice Potion is a drink from the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling; it allows the one who drinks it to temporarily take on the likeness of another person of their choosing.

    In the books, Polyjuice Potion ingredients include fluxweed, knotgrass, leeches, lacewing flies, boomslang skin, and bicorn horn. The catch is they also need something from the person’s body they wish to become, in order to mix into the brewing of said potion; so something like a hair, nail clippings, or even dandruff.

    Harry and his friends used Polyjuice Potion quite a few times in the books (and movies). Two particular instances stick out in my memory…

    • In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Barty Crouch, Jr. uses the potion to turn himself into Mad Eye Moody and thus get close to Harry, with the goal to eventually help bring Voldemort back to power and give Harry up to the Dark Lord.
    • In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in one of my favorite instances because it’s somewhat hilarious at first, the Order of the Phoenix uses it to safely move Harry.
    • Also in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry, Ron, and Hermione need to sneak into the Ministry of Magic but can’t risk being seen and captured. Polyjuice Potion does the trick.

    Fandom has a great wiki all about how Harry and his friends use Polyjuice Potion throughout the series; they even include a detailed list of the ingredients and steps necessary to make the real thing.

    Why You’ll Love This Punch

    Reasons to love this Polyjuice Potion recipe non alcoholic version include:

    • This Harry Potter punch has just 4 basic ingredients, so you can whip it up in no time at all.
    • You can dress it up with whatever you like, including spiders, eyeballs, or other creepy crawly creatures.
    • I love the frothy effect sherbet gives to a Halloween punch. It really does resemble a witch’s brew, or what I’d imagine a witch’s brew looks like anyway.
    • Kids and adults both love it.
    Polyjuice Potion ingredients, including pineapple juice, cranberry apple juice, lemon lime soda, lime sherbet, and candy eyeballs

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes

    Polyjuice Potion ingredients for the non book version are simple…

    • Pineapple juice I just get a 46-ounce can of pineapple juice at the grocery store.
    • Cranberry apple juice I usually just go with generic.
    • Lemon-lime soda – I prefer to use Sierra Mist or 7UP. My grandma always used 7UP for her sherbet punch. You can also use ginger ale if you prefer.
    • Lime sherbet – This can sometimes be harder to find, though most grocery stores should carry it. A couple tips, especially if you live in an area with Braum’s… Their Fresh Market carries all flavors of sherbet. If you don’t have a Braum’s, I have the best luck finding it at non big box grocery stores. You can also use rainbow sherbet if you can’t find lime sherbet.
    • Gummy eyeballs, spiders (non-edible), or any other kind of creepy crawlies – for decoration.

    How to Make Polyjuice Potion

    If you’re making this punch for a party and want it to be cold, I would chill the juices and the soda beforehand. While the sherbet will help to chill it, chilling the juices beforehand will also help the sherbet not to melt quite so fast.

    Before you start to make your punch, be sure to soften the sherbet just a little bit, so it’s not too difficult to scoop.

    To make this magical green punch, you’ll need to follow these steps…

    1. Add the pineapple juice to a large punch bowl.
    2. Stir in the cranberry apple juice.
    3. Mix in the lemon lime soda.
    4. Then just scoop lime sherbet on top, and serve it immediately.
    how to make Polyjuice potion in large punch bowl

    Your final sherbet punch will have a greenish brownish appearance. It makes the perfect green drinks for kids.

    large punch bowl filled with green lime sherbet punch

    If You Want, You Can Dress It Up

    I like to dress up our Polyjuice Potion drink with candy eyeballs.

    Some people choose to add green food coloring to their potion; personally, I just don’t want to pump my kids full of food coloring, so I choose not to do that. But make it however you want.

    You can add spiders, eyeballs, and any other creepy crawlies you can think of to your cups of Polyjuice Potion. If they are plastic, be sure to wash them; and use caution when serving with small children.

    Note: Keep in mind that gummy candies don’t float very well, or at least, the eyeballs don’t. So I just add the candy eyeball on top of a scoop of sherbet. Also, note that small candies can pose a choking hazard, so use caution when serving with small children.

    Expert Tips and FAQ’s

    Can I make Polyjuice Potion punch ahead of time?

    I don’t recommend making sherbet punch ahead of time, mainly because of the sherbet, but also because of the carbonated soda. It’ll lose its fizz, and it just won’t taste as good. Not to mention, the sherbet will melt and just make a green gloppy mess. It would be impossible to store it for any length of time.

    How do you store green sherbet punch?

    Honestly, you can store the punch part, but not the sherbet in the punch. You’d have to store them separately. However, the punch will lose its fizz, or carbonation, and it won’t be as good. So I don’t recommend storing it; I recommend making it last minute same day and serving right away.

    Can I add alcohol to it?

    Go for it! If you’re having a party for adult friends and/or family, you can definitely spike the punch. My recommendation would probably be vodka, but it’s totally up to you!

    mason jar of Harry Potter Polyjuice Potion punch recipe (nonalcoholic) with gummy eyeball on top

    More Harry Potter Recipes for the Perfect Harry Potter Party

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Polyjuice Potion Recipe

    Brew a fun Polyjuice Potion recipe for your Halloween or Harry Potter party. Easy, non alcoholic, lime sherbet punch your guests will love!

    • Large Punch Bowl
    • Ice Cream Scoop
    • 46 ounces pineapple juice
    • 3 cups cranberry apple juice
    • 2 liters lemon lime soda
    • 1/2 gallon lime sherbet
    1. Add the pineapple juice to a large punch bowl.

    2. Stir in the cranberry apple juice.

    3. Mix in the lemon lime soda.

    4. Then just scoop lime sherbet on top, placing scoops of sherbet all over the top of the punch.

    5. Serve immediately. Your Polyjuice Potion will have a greenish brownish appearance, the perfect color for this fun festive drink.
    6. You can decorate it with gummy eyeballs, spiders, or any kind of creepy crawly creatures you wish! Or just serve it up plain and simple.

    *I prefer to use 7UP, Sierra Mist, or Sprite.

    Before you make the punch…

    If you’re making this punch for a party and want it to be cold, go ahead and chill the juices and the soda beforehand. While the sherbet will help to chill it, chilling the liquids beforehand will also help the sherbet not to melt quite so fast and will ensure that your punch is nice and cold. Before you start to make your party punch, be sure to soften the sherbet just a little bit, so it’s not too difficult to scoop.

    Can I make it ahead of time?

    I don’t recommend making sherbet punch ahead of time, mainly because of the sherbet, but also because of the carbonated soda. It’ll lose its fizz, and it just won’t taste as good. Not to mention, the sherbet will melt and just make a green gloppy mess. It would be impossible to store it for any length of time.

    Drinks
    American
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  • 20+ Easy Halloween Movie Night Snacks Anyone Can Make

    20+ Easy Halloween Movie Night Snacks Anyone Can Make

    Your go to list of favorite Halloween movie night snacks and treats for the whole family. Easy, spooky snacks and desserts both kids and adults will love. So easy, anyone can make them!

    Halloween is right around the corner. If you’re hosting a Halloween party or movie night, you’re probably looking for the best Halloween movie night snacks you can make in a jiffy.

    Halloween movie night snacks in collage photo, including spider cookies, Frankenstein brownies, monster cookies, Corn Flake bars, and mummy brownies

    I’ve got you covered with 20+ ideas for yummy Halloween movie desserts and Halloween food snacks, some sweeter than others.

    When it comes to Halloween party food, you can jazz up just about any type of food to make it festive, and in this case a little spooky too.

    Not a Fan of Scary?

    I’m not a fan of really scary stuff either, whether it’s horror flicks and slasher films, or scary treats. I mean, the scary movies I do like are either old Alfred Hitchcock films or more thriller type movies like The Sixth Sense or A Quiet Place.

    So I tend to err on the side of somewhat spooky but also cute and fun when it comes to Halloween desserts and Halloween snacks for party events (even this cute Garfield Halloween costume I made).

    When Should You Host Your Halloween Movie Night?

    If you want to host more than just a family movie night, you’ll want to consider the perfect time of year to host.

    While Halloween night might be a little busy for most people, what with trick-or-treating and parties or events, you might think about hosting in the weeks leading up to Halloween.

    Really, anytime during Halloween season in the month of October, and probably a weekend, will be the best time that works with most people’s schedules. So pick a time, tell your friends and family, and start planning a really fun night.

    best Halloween movie night snacks, dessert, and Halloween treats, including decorated Halloween brownies

    Tips and Tricks for Easy Halloween Treats

    Here are a few tips for keeping things easy in the kitchen when you’re figuring out what to make for Halloween movie night:

    • Save time by buying pre-baked. If you need a baked treat, save time by using a mix or buying it already pre-made. While I love homemade and it’s my first choice, it’s not always feasible, especially when life gets really busy.
    • If you need icing or frosting, again, buy pre-made. No judgment here.
    • Need to pipe icing onto your Halloween treats? Use icing tubes you can get at any grocery store in the baking aisle.
    • Think of how you can use already made foods in a creative way… For example, making donuts or Oreo cookies into spiders or Twix bars into mummies (see recipes below).
    • Make no bake desserts. Because no bake is awesome.
    • Instead of cookies, make bars. Instead of cake pops, make a whole cake. Think easy.
    • Need a pie crust? Again, use a pre-made crust. Or make a shortcut no-roll pie crust.
    • Think about putting together a buffet, like maybe a caramel apples buffet with melted caramel and fun toppings.
    • Put together a charcuterie board, in this case a Halloween movie night snack board, and set it on your coffee table in the living room. Finger foods on a board make great snacks!
    • Veggie trays and salty snacks are always a great idea.

    Kitchen Tools You May Need to Make Halloween Movie Treats

    Halloween Movie Checklist

    Of course, we’d be remiss to not mention a few family favorite Halloween movies to go along with your tasty snacks… Again, I’m keeping it pretty family-friendly here, so if you want scary horror movie marathons of movies like Nightmare on Elm Street, I ain’t your girl.

    Here are just a few suggestions…

    • It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (because of course)
    • Beetlejuice
    • Hocus Pocus
    • Practical Magic
    • Harry Potter collection
    • Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
    • The Addams Family
    • The Haunted Mansion
    • Ghostbusters
    • Edward Scissorhands
    • Halloweentown
    • Coraline
    • Gremlins
    • Goosebumps
    • The Sixth Sense

    20+ Halloween Movie Night Snacks

    Here are a few yummy recipe ideas for your Halloween party food menu, including some really cute Halloween treats all your guests will love. All of these treats will have a slightly spooky feel and maybe even a cute factor going for them too.

    You’ll find easy Halloween food, sweet treats, and movie snacks like Halloween brownies, party punch, cookies, no bake desserts, treats on a stick, Halloween cupcakes, and more!

    [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id=”41000″ name=”Twix Bar Mummy Brownies” summary=”<p><a href=%22null%22></a>Twix Bar mummy brownies are quick and easy Halloween treats you can make with a box mix, fun size candy, icing, and candy eyes!</p>” button=”Get the Recipe”] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://www.prettymyparty.com/easy-mini-chocolate-donut-spiders/” name=”Mini Chocolate Donut Spiders” summary=”<p>Make mini chocolate donut spiders with mini donuts, pretzels, candy eyeballs, and chocolate sprinkles. Spooky treats kids will love!</p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36905″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://www.burlapandblue.com/halloween-treat-idea-easy-dipped-pretzels/” name=”Halloween Dipped Pretzels” summary=”<p>Kids can help make these super cute no bake Halloween dipped pretzels with candy melts and candy eyeballs. Such a fun activity for a party!</p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36906″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id=”41010″ name=”Pumpkin Patch Brownies” summary=”<p>How to make quick and easy pumpkin patch Halloween brownies for kids, a fun Halloween treat recipe with candy corn pumpkins and green icing!</p>” button=”Get the Recipe”] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://www.mommyhatescooking.com/bake-spider-pudding-pie-3″ name=”No Bake Spider Pudding Pie” summary=”<p>Make a no bake spider pudding pie with a cream cheese filling in a chocolate cookie pie shell, and topped with the cutest Oreo cookie spiders.</p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36909″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://www.sugarandsoul.co/goosebumps-punch-recipe/” name=”Goosebumps Halloween Punch” summary=”<p>You only need 4 ingredients to make this green Goosebumps Halloween punch. It's the perfect drink for a Halloween party!</p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36910″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id=”41016″ name=”Peanut Butter Corn Flake Bars” summary=”<p>Mix up a batch of Corn Flake bars with peanut butter, marshmallows, peanuts, and candy corn. Quick and easy treats you can make in a jiffy!</p>” button=”Get the Recipe”] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://www.mamagourmand.com/gluten-free-halloween-spider-cookies/” name=”No Bake Spider Cookies” summary=”<p>Easy no bake spider cookies will be a hit with both kids and adults this Halloween. These gluten-free cookies combine peanut butter cups and Rice Krispies for a cute treat all can enjoy!</p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36912″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://artscrackers.com/2014/09/22/pumpkin-patch-pudding-fall-dirt-cups/” name=”Pumpkin Patch Pudding Cups” summary=”<p>Pumpkin patch pudding dirt cups are simple, so they're the perfect fall treat to involve kids in and enjoy on a Halloween movie night.</p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36913″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id=”41004″ name=”Frankenstein Brownies” summary=”<p>Frankenstein brownies are the cutest Halloween treats. They're quick and easy frosted Halloween snacks anyone can make, and especially fun for kids. </p>” button=”Get the Recipe”] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://niftymom.com/2016/10/monster-treats-stick/” name=”Monster Treats on a Stick” summary=”<p>Dip Rice Krispie treats on a stick into melted purple, green, and orange candy melts. Then add candy eyes for fun monster treats on a stick!</p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36915″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://recipesfromapantry.com/halloween-marshmallow-pops-monster/” name=”Monster Halloween Marshmallow Pops” summary=”<p>These Monster Halloween marshmallow pops are easy Halloween treats that require only 5 ingredients and come together in just a few minutes.</p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36916″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id=”41008″ name=”Chewy Monster Cookies” summary=”<p>How to make soft and chewy monster cookies from scratch, loaded with peanut butter, oats, M&M's, and chocolate chips. But watch out, cuz they'll disappear fast!</p>” button=”Get the Recipe”] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://crazyadventuresinparenting.com/2018/08/frankenstein-cupcakes-recipe.html” name=”Frankenstein Cupcakes Recipe” summary=”<p>If you’re in need of a non-scary Halloween recipe for a Halloween party, look no further! These Frankenstein cupcakes for Halloween are PERFECT!</p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36918″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://www.homeandplate.com/blog/halloween-mummy-apple-crypts/” name=”Mummy Apple Crypts” summary=”<p>Turn a simple homemade apple pastry into a fun and healthy Halloween treat. Mummy apple crypts are cute yet scary and spooky.</p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36919″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id=”41012″ name=”Whipped Cream Ghost Brownies” summary=”<p>Whipped cream ghost brownies are the easiest Halloween treats ever! Fun and spooky Halloween idea for kids, using whipped cream and candy eyeballs.</p>” button=”Get the Recipe”] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://crayonsandcravings.com/witch-hat-cupcakes/” name=”Witch Hat Cupcakes” summary=”<p>Witch hat cupcakes are made by topping cupcakes with sugar cones and adding detail with icing. These Halloween cupcakes will be a hit at your Halloween party.</p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36921″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://juliassimplysouthern.com/2018/08/white-chocolate-boo-nana-ghost-pops.html” name=”White Chocolate BOO-Nana Ghost Pops” summary=”<p>Make this fun and easy Halloween treat with melted white chocolate covered bananas that look like ghosts.</p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36922″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id=”41022″ name=”Polyjuice Potion Recipe” summary=”<p>Brew a simple Polyjuice Potion recipe for a transformative experience at your Halloween or Harry Potter party. Easy, fun, non alcoholic, lime sherbet punch!</p>” button=”Get the Recipe”] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://www.eatsamazing.co.uk/family-friendly-recipes/dessert-sweet-treat-recipes/ghostly-mini-cheesecake-bites-recipe” name=”Ghostly Mini Cheesecake Bites” summary=”<p>Ghostly mini cheesecake bites are the perfect dessert for a Halloween party. Whip up this quick & easy Halloween dessert in minutes – just 6 ingredients!</p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36924″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://www.shelovesbiscotti.com/halloween-witch-finger-butter-cookies/” name=”Halloween Witch Finger Butter Cookies” summary=”<p>Hosting a Halloween movie night? Shape Buranelli cookies into witch finger cookies, and lay them in edible dirt. Creepy but delicious buttery witch cookies. </p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36925″] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id=”41014″ name=”Spooky Graveyard Brownies” summary=”<p>Easy graveyard brownies, perfect for your Halloween party. Use Milano cookies, Oreos, and candy pumpkins to decorate these spooky treats!</p>” button=”Get the Recipe”] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item link=”https://www.reneeskitchenadventures.com/2016/10/pumpkin-patch-cake.html” name=”Pumpkin Patch Cake” summary=”<p>Pumpkin patch cake starts with a simple made-from-scratch chocolate cake, topped with chocolate frosting and then decorated for the season with mellowcreme pumpkins. </p>” button=”Get the Recipe” image=”36928″]

    Hopefully, you’ve found plenty of Halloween inspiration for your Halloween party menu. Happy Halloween to you and yours!

    I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to leave a comment, and follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can subscribe to my email list too.

  • Easy Peanut Butter Corn Flake Bars

    Easy Peanut Butter Corn Flake Bars

    Mix up a batch of Corn Flake bars with peanut butter, marshmallows, peanuts, and candy corn. Quick and easy treats you can make in a jiffy; they make the best Halloween treats for kids!

    If you love candy corn and peanuts, peanut butter cereal bars are another really yummy treat with that same sweet and salty flavor. They’re also chewy, which I don’t know why, but I love chewy when it comes to sweets.

    peanut butter Corn Flake bars drizzled with white chocolate and candy corn on gray plate

    There are a few reasons why I love this recipe and why I love to make them in the fall.

    Why You’ll Love These Treats As Much As I Do

    • They’re no bake. I mean, who doesn’t love a good no bake snack, especially during one of the busiest seasons of the year?
    • Like my favorite chocolate-y granola bars, these no bake snacks are super easy to make.
    • They’ll fit the bill for both fall and Halloween festivities.
    • You can easily add a little pizzazz by drizzling a little chocolate or white chocolate on top.
    • They’re a fun snack to make with kids.
    • They make a great snack to take on outdoor adventures together, like kayaking the Jacks Fork or hiking with your family.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Corn Flakes – You can use any brand of corn flakes you prefer. You can even try making these treats with other types of cereal, like Cheerios, Rice Krispies, etc. The texture will be quite a bit different, but it’s really up to you to decide what texture you want for your cereal bars.
    • Peanuts – I’d recommend using dry roasted or cocktail peanuts for the best flavor.
    • Candy corn – If you want to make these candy corn bars at other times of the year, you might pick up a few extra bags so you have them on hand.
    • Creamy peanut butter – Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter instead; it’ll just add a little more crunch to your treats.
    • Light corn syrup
    • White chocolate melts – You can use melts or white chocolate chips. Either one will work.

    You’ll find a complete ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.

    How to Make Corn Flake Bars

    There are only a few steps to making these no bake easy desserts. Before you get started, be sure to grease an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray.

    Then mix up the treats…

    1. Start by mixing together the cereal, peanuts, and candy corn in a large mixing bowl. That way you’re ready to go after you’ve cooked your sticky syrup mixture.
    mixing together no bake peanut butter bars ingredients, including corn flake cereal, PLANTERS peanuts, and candy corn in large blue mixing bowl
    1. Melt together the peanut butter and corn syrup in a saucepan on the stove, constantly stirring to keep it from scorching on the bottom of the pan. Cook for about 5 to 10 minutes. The peanut butter and corn syrup will melt together and form more of a syrupy liquid.
    2. Remove the peanut butter mixture from the stove, give it a good stir, and pour it over the cereal mixture.
    3. Stir everything together really well, making sure all of your cereal, peanuts, and candy corn are coated with the peanut butter syrup.
    mixing together no bake peanut butter bars in large blue mixing bowl
    1. Put the mixture into the greased dish, and pat it down really well. Allow your pan of no bake snacks to cool… You can even put it in the fridge if you’d like it to cool quicker.
    peanut butter cereal bars in mint green baking dish
    1. Once the bars have cooled, go ahead and slice them into approximately 9 bars. Then drizzle with melted white chocolate, and decorate the top with candy corn!

    I actually drizzled white chocolate on our no bake cereal bars because I love how it complements the flavors of both the peanuts and the candy corn. It’s so delicious!

    no bake Corn Flake squares with white chocolate drizzled on top and candy corn

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Can I make these in the microwave?

    Yes, you can melt together the peanut butter and corn syrup in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave. Just cook the mixture on High in 15-second increments, stirring after every cooking cycle, ’til everything is melted. The peanut butter and corn syrup will eventually melt together and form a syrupy liquid.

    Why are my corn flake squares falling apart?

    They shouldn’t be falling apart, but it might be that your cereal bars weren’t pressed down into the pan as firmly as they needed to be. You want to press them firmly enough to compact the treats but not so much that it causes the treats to be completely dense. It’s kind of a balance. It’ll also help to cool the treats before you try to eat them; warm cereal bars tend to fall apart easier.

    How should I store them?

    Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze them if you want to make them ahead; just be sure to place them in an airtight container or bag, so they don’t get freezer burn.

    peanut butter Corn Flake bars with candy corn on gray plate

    More Quick and Easy Treat Recipes:

    More easy last minute ideas –>> 20+ Halloween movie night snacks – including Halloween brownies, party punch, cookies, no bake desserts, treats on a stick, Halloween cupcakes, and more!

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Peanut Butter Corn Flake Bars

    Mix up a batch of Corn Flake bars with peanut butter, marshmallows, peanuts, and candy corn. Quick and easy treats you can make in a jiffy!

    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Small Saucepan
    • 8×8 Baking Pan
    • 4 cups Corn Flakes cereal
    • 1 cup peanuts
    • 1 cup candy corn
    • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
    • 1 cup light corn syrup
    • 1 cup white chocolate melts ((or white chocolate chips))
    1. Grease an 8"x8" baking pan with cooking spray.

    2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cereal, peanuts, and candy corn. 

    3. In a small saucepan over low to medium heat on the stovetop, melt the peanut butter and corn syrup, constantly stirring to keep it from scorching on the bottom of the pan. 

    4. Cook for about 5 to 10 minutes, constantly stirring. The peanut butter and corn syrup will melt together and form more of a syrupy liquid.

    5. Remove the peanut butter mixture from the stove, give it a good stir, and pour it over the cereal mixture.
    6. Stir everything together really well, making sure all of the cereal, peanuts, and candy corn are coated with the peanut butter syrup.

    7. Spread the mixture in the greased dish, and firmly pat it evenly into the pan.

    8. Allow the treats to cool. Then slice the bars for serving.

    9. Drizzle the top of each bar with melted white chocolate, and add a piece of candy corn for decoration.

    *You can use either white chocolate or regular/dark chocolate for a drizzle. I actually drizzled white chocolate on our no bake cereal bars because I love how it complements the flavors of both the peanuts and the candy corn. It’s so delicious!

    Can I make these in the microwave?

    Yes, you can melt together the peanut butter and corn syrup in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave. Just cook the mixture on High in 15-second increments, stirring after every cooking cycle, ’til everything is melted. The peanut butter and corn syrup will eventually melt together and form a syrupy liquid.

    How should I store them?

    Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze them if you want to make them ahead; just be sure to place them in an airtight container or bag, so they don’t get freezer burn.

    Cookies & Bars, Desserts
    American
    corn flake bars, Halloween treats, no bake peanut butter bars, peanut butter cereal bars, peanut butter cereal bars recipe
  • Whipped Cream Ghost Halloween Brownies

    Whipped Cream Ghost Halloween Brownies

    Whipped cream ghost Halloween brownies are the easiest Halloween treats ever! Fun and spooky Halloween idea for kids, using whipped cream and candy eyeballs.

    If you’re looking for Halloween snacks that are both fun and spooky, but not too scary, these ghost Halloween brownies are just the thing. They’re so easy to make, it’s not even funny.

    ghost halloween brownies made with whipped cream and candy eyeballs, on a countertop with candy corn and candy corn pumpkins

    Life gets busy and before you know it, it’s time to make the Halloween treats you committed to make for the Halloween party. I know what it’s like; weeks squeeze into weeks and days become hours and before you know it, Halloween’s tomorrow!

    It’s ok because these cute little treats will take you no time at all. And they use a brownie mix, so no need to fret over trying to make them from scratch.

    Instead you can focus on having a little fun with your kids come Halloween time. Or you can just whip these up in a jiffy.

    whipped cream and candy eyeballs ghost halloween brownies on a gray plate with candy corn and mellowcreme pumpkins

    More Halloween treats you will love: Frankenstein brownies, mummy Halloween brownies, Tombstone Brownies, and Pumpkin Patch Halloween Brownies.

    WHAT KIND OF BROWNIE MIX SHOULD I USE?

    First of all, you really need a brownie that’s easy to slice and pull out of the pan, nothing too messy or gooey.

    My first batch of brownies were extremely soft and gooey; I didn’t realize they’d be so gooey. They could hardly be scraped off the bottom of the pan.

    So, I definitely recommend making cake-like or chewy brownies (preferably chewy) that won’t be so gooey and will easily pop right out of the pan.

    This brownie mix worked wonderfully well for our ghost brownies.

    brownie mix brownies in blue baking dish for ghost halloween brownies recipe

    DO I HAVE TO MAKE HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM?

    No, you absolutely don’t have to. You can just use store bought whipped cream, either the whipped cream in the can (negating any need of pastry bags and tips) or the kind in the tub.

    Also, you can even use icing instead of whipped cream. Make homemade sugar cookie icing or use ready made icing that comes with a convenient tip for decorating, making the process even easier.

    It’s totally up to you! However, whipped cream is so easy to make, it only takes a few minutes.

    HOW DO I MAKE HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM IF I WANT TO USE THAT?

    You can just follow my recipe for homemade whipped cream, where you’ll find the exact ingredients and the steps to making it yourself.

    You’ll need cream cheese (that’s softened), heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar.

    Be sure to refrigerate the whipped cream until you’re ready to serve it.

    ingredients for ghost halloween brownies, including whipped cream, brownies, and candy eyeballs

    INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE GHOST HALLOWEEN BROWNIES

    You’ll need just a few things to make ghost Halloween brownies, including the following:

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE THESE SCRUMPTIOUS HALLOWEEN TREATS

    Slice your completely cooled brownies into squares or as close to square shaped brownies as you can.

    To decorate brownies with ghosts, follow these steps:

    swirling whipped cream ghosts onto ghost halloween brownies with a pastry bag and Wilton Round Tip 2A, making easy halloween treats
    • Using Wilton Round Tip 2A (or the closest off brand cake tip) and a small pastry bag, swirl a ghost on top of each brownie.
    • Add candy eyeballs for the eyes.
    adding candy eyeballs to whipped cream ghost halloween brownies for easy halloween treats

    That was easy, right?! So simple.

    This is the perfect opportunity to get your kids in the kitchen. Let them swirl a few ghosts, or have them add the candy eyeballs while you swirl the whipped cream.

    ghost halloween brownies, ready for halloween desserts

    Most importantly, just have fun with it!

    WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE CAKE TIPS AND PASTRY BAGS?

    That’s ok! You really don’t have to have the cake tip I mentioned above or the pastry bag. You can get creative with what you have.

    If you have sandwich bags, snip the corner of a sandwich bag, fill the bag with whipped cream, and swirl away. Works like a charm!

    You can also create a DIY pastry bag using parchment paper or wax paper.

    whipped cream ghost halloween brownies for easy halloween snacks

    MORE EASY HALLOWEEN TREATS AND RECIPES YOU CAN MAKE:

    More easy last minute ideas –>> 20+ Halloween treats – including Halloween brownies, party punch, cookies, no bake desserts, treats on a stick, Halloween cupcakes, and more!

    KITCHEN TOOLS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE WHIPPED CREAM GHOST HALLOWEEN BROWNIES

    Mixer

    Brownie Pan or Cake Pan

    Pastry Bags (or Sandwich Bags)

    Wilton Tip 2A

    GHOST HALLOWEEN BROWNIES RECIPE

    If you love this ghost Halloween brownies recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest! If you make the recipe, be sure to share that you tried it on Pinterest. I love when readers share feedback!

    Whipped Cream Ghost Halloween Brownies Recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

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    Click on the video below to see how easy it is to make ghost brownies for Halloween!

     

    Whipped Cream Ghost Brownies

    Whipped cream ghost brownies are the easiest Halloween treats ever! Fun and spooky Halloween idea for kids, using whipped cream and candy eyeballs.

    • Wilton Round Tip 2A
    • Small Pastry Bag
    • 15 brownies (baked and cooled)
    • 4 cups whipped cream
    • 40 candy eyeballs
    1. Slice the brownies into squares.

    2. Using Wilton Round Tip 2A and a small pastry bag, swirl a whipped cream ghost on top of each brownie.

    3. Add candy eyeballs for the eyes.
    4. That's it! They're ready to serve.

    I recommend not swirling the ghosts until you’re ready to serve; OR refrigerate the ghost brownies until you’re ready to serve them. Otherwise, your ghosts may start to melt.

    Desserts, Halloween
    American
    brownie mix, ghost brownies, Halloween brownies, halloween desserts, Halloween snacks, Halloween treats, whipped cream ghost
    whipped cream ghost hallloween brownies recipe, easy halloween snacks
    easy whipped cream ghost halloween brownies recipe
  • Pumpkin Patch Halloween Brownies

    Pumpkin Patch Halloween Brownies

    How to make quick and easy pumpkin patch Halloween brownies for kids, a fun Halloween treat recipe with candy corn pumpkins and green icing!

    Fall is full of so many beautiful things, including that ever anticipated trip to the pumpkin patch. Why not bring a little bit of the pumpkin patch into your Halloween treats with the cutest pumpkin patch Halloween brownies ever?

    homemade pumpkin patch halloween brownies with candy corn and candy corn pumpkins

    While you will need just a little bit of green decorating icing, the only other things you’ll need for this brownie recipe are a brownie mix and candy corn pumpkins.

    My dad used to keep these cute little mellowcreme pumpkins in our farm truck, along with Tootsie Rolls. But when fall hit, he always had a bag of Brach’s candy pumpkins.

    Every time I eat them, they take me back to riding around in the farm truck with my dad, feeding the cows and working on the farm.

    pumpkin patch halloween brownies made with mellowcreme pumpkins and green icing

    Now I’m using them to make the cutest and pretty much the quickest little Halloween desserts. Place a couple of pumpkins, swag a little bit of green icing, and you’re all set, easy peasy!

    Use a brownie mix to make the brownies. And while I use a homemade sugar cookie icing, you can totally buy a tube of decorating icing already made and ready to go; just get green.

    More Halloween treats you will love: Frankenstein brownies, Ghost Halloween Brownies, Graveyard Halloween Brownies, and Mummy Halloween Brownies.

    WHAT KIND OF BROWNIE MIX SHOULD I USE?

    I really recommend using a brownie that’s going to be easy to slice and pull out of the pan, nothing too messy or gooey.

    chewy brownie mix brownies for pumpkin patch halloween brownies, brownies baked in a blue baking dish

    Our first batch of brownies gave us a really ooey gooey brownie; I didn’t realize they’d be that gooey. They could hardly be scraped off the bottom of the pan.

    Definitely go for more cake-like or chewy brownies (preferably chewy) that won’t be so gooey and will easily pop right out of the pan.

    This brownie mix worked fantastically well for our pumpkin patch brownies.

    WHAT KIND OF ICING SHOULD I USE?

    You have two options here: You can either mix up a quick batch of my favorite sugar cookie icing and then color it green.

    Or you can use pre-made icing or decorating icing that’s ready to go.

    Personally, I love the flavor of homemade frosting. It just tastes so much better! But whatever you decide to use will work just fine.

    HOW DO I COLOR THE ICING FOR MY PUMPKIN PATCH BROWNIES?

    Add food coloring to your icing, and mix it according to your specific food coloring directions. I will say that it doesn’t take a lot either.

    swirling pumpkin vines with green icing onto pumpkin patch halloween brownies halloween treats

    Rule of thumb when baking or mixing up anything, especially when adding food coloring to anything: Start with a small amount because you can always add more, but you can’t take away.

    I used Wilton Kelly Green for the vines on my pumpkin patch treats.

    INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE PUMPKIN PATCH HALLOWEEN BROWNIES

    You’ll need just a few things to make pumpkin patch Halloween brownies, including the following:

    ingredients for pumpkin patch halloween brownies, including brownies, green icing, and Brach's mellowcreme pumpkins

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE THESE SCRUMPTIOUS HALLOWEEN TREATS

    Slice your brownies into squares or as close to square shaped brownies as you can.

    To decorate brownies, follow these steps:

    • Using Wilton Round Tip 5 (or the closest off brand cake tip) and a small pastry bag, add pumpkin vines (and leaves if you want) to the top of the brownie with green icing. Just do a little swag with little loops around the outside edge of the brownie; think of how long and wispy a pumpkin vine looks.
    • Add a dab of green icing to the bottom of your candy pumpkins and set in place with the vines. You can add 2 or 3 pumpkins to each brownie.
    adding green icing to mellowcreme pumpkin for pumpkin patch Halloween brownies
    • If you have time and want to, you can even add a little bit more vine coming down from the stem of the pumpkin to meet the vine on the top of the brownie. This step is totally optional, though.

    The most important thing to remember is don’t try to make them perfect. If you’ve ever grown pumpkins, you know how much of a tangled mess the vines can be.

    decorating pumpkin patch Halloween brownies with Brach's Mellowcreme Pumpkins and green icing for a quick and easy Halloween dessert

    Just have fun with it, and get your kids in the kitchen with you. They’ll have so much fun decorating these fun little Halloween brownies.

    WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE CAKE TIPS AND PASTRY BAGS?

    That’s ok! You really don’t have to have the cake tip I mentioned above or the pastry bag. You can get creative with what you have.

    Or you can just use ready made icing that comes with a convenient tip for decorating, making the process even easier.

    If you want to use homemade icing and have sandwich bags, you can snip the corner of a sandwich bag, fill the bag with icing, and swirl away. Works like a charm!

    You can also create a DIY pastry bag using parchment paper or wax paper.

    finished pumpkin patch halloween brownies with candy corn pumpkins and green icing pumpkin vines

    MORE HALLOWEEN TREATS AND RECIPES YOU CAN MAKE:

    Soft and Chewy Monster Cookies

    More easy last minute ideas –>> 20+ Halloween treats – including Halloween brownies, party punch, cookies, no bake desserts, treats on a stick, Halloween cupcakes, and more!

    KITCHEN TOOLS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE PUMPKIN PATCH HALLOWEEN BROWNIES

    Mixer

    Brownie Pan or Cake Pan

    Pastry Bags (or Sandwich Bags)

    Wilton Tip 5

    PUMPKIN PATCH HALLOWEEN BROWNIES RECIPE

    If you love this pumpkin patch Halloween brownies recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest! If you make the recipe, be sure to share that you tried it on Pinterest. I love when readers share feedback!

    Pumpkin Patch Halloween Brownies recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

    Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

    Sign up to receive my newsletter, filled with delicious recipes and outdoor travel adventures, in your inbox:

    FREE EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION

    Click on the video below to see how easy it is to make pumpkin patch brownies for Halloween!

    Pumpkin Patch Brownies

    How to make quick and easy pumpkin patch Halloween brownies for kids, a fun Halloween treat recipe with candy corn pumpkins and green icing!

    • 15 brownies (baked and cooled)
    • 2 cups green decorating icing
    • 40 mellowcreme candy pumpkins
    1. Slice the brownies into squares.

    2. Using green decorating icing with a round tip, add pumpkin vines (and leaves if you want) to the top of each brownie. Just do a little swag with little loops around the outside edge of the brownie; think of how long and wispy a pumpkin vine looks.

    3. Add a dab of green icing to the bottom of your candy pumpkins and set in place with the vines. You can add 2 or 3 pumpkins to each brownie.
    4. If you have time and want to, you can even add a little bit more vine coming down from the stem of the pumpkin to meet the vine on the top of the brownie. This step is optional.

    5. And that’s it! They’re ready to serve for a fun Halloween or fall treat!

    *If you don’t want to buy icing, you can also make homemade cookie icing; then use a pastry bag and round tip to decorate. If you’re using homemade icing and you don’t have pastry bags or tips, it’s ok! You can use a sandwich bag instead. Just snip the corner of a sandwich bag, fill the bag with icing, and swirl away.

    The most important thing to remember is don’t try to make them perfect. If you’ve ever seen pumpkins on the vine, you know how much of a tangled mess the vines can be. Just have fun with it!

    Desserts, Halloween
    American
    brownie mix, Halloween brownies, halloween desserts, Halloween snacks, Halloween treats, pumpkin patch brownies
    chewy pumpkin patch halloween brownies recipe
  • Chewy Monster Cookies

    Chewy Monster Cookies

    How to make soft and chewy monster cookies from scratch, loaded with peanut butter, oats, M&M’s, and chocolate chips. Easy dessert recipe you can easily customize for Halloween and other holidays. But watch out, cuz they’ll disappear fast!

    Monster chocolate chip cookies made with loads of chocolate are one of my favorite cookies. Partly because they remind me of a childhood neighbor and partly because they’re just so soft and chewy.

    chewy monster cookies with M&M'S candies on white marble countertop

    When I was a kid, my neighbor would make the most delicious soft and chewy monster cookies filled with oatmeal, peanut butter, peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, and M&M’s. I mean, she loaded those puppies up with all kinds of sweet chocolaty goodness.

    Why You’ll Love M&M Monster Cookies

    There are a handful of reasons to love this scrumptious monster cookies recipe…

    • They are easily customizable… You can make them festive for any occasion. Halloween? Add a spooky touch with candy eyeballs. Christmas? Use Christmas M&M’s that are red and green. Easter? Use pastel colored M&M’s.
    • These cookies are especially fun to make with kids, and this is an easy recipe for that exact purpose.
    • You can add other mix-ins besides chocolate chips and M&M’s. Try Snickers bars, Reese’s Pieces, Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, Milky Way, mini marshmallows, and more!
    • They’re thick, soft, and chewy. What’s not to love about soft monster cookies that are also thick and chewy?
    • They’re very similar to another reader favorite oatmeal cookies recipe, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
    monster cookies recipe ingredients on white marble countertop

    You’ll need to gather a few ingredients to mix up this monster cookie dough…

    • Butter – I prefer to use unsalted butter rather than salted when baking, so I can more easily control the amount of salt that goes into the recipe. Also, be sure to soften the butter, so it will mix well.
    • Light Brown Sugar – Brown sugar is just one of the things that helps give these cookies their soft and chewy texture.
    • Peanut Butter – You can use creamy or crunchy, but I highly recommend creamy, mainly because we’re already adding other crispy ingredients that will give a lot of crunch. It is best to use a regular peanut butter that doesn’t require stirring every time you use it. I do use Skippy Natural creamy peanut butter, but it only requires stirring upon opening the jar the first time around. The problem with other natural peanut butters is that all of the oil can be too much for the dough, and your cookies may spread more while baking.
    • Egg – You’ll need a large egg.
    • Vanilla Extract
    • All-Purpose Flour – I recommend using an unbleached all-purpose flour. If you want to make these cookies gluten-free, use a good gluten-free flour that bakes well; <<– the one I link to here is my go to.
    • Baking Soda
    • Sea Salt – I recommend Redmond Sea Salt.
    • Oats – You can use quick oats or old-fashioned oats. Either kind of oatmeal will work just fine.
    • Chocolate Chips – While I prefer semi-sweet chocolate chips, feel free to use milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips.
    • Peanut Butter Chips
    • M&M’s – Feel free to use Reese’s Pieces instead.
    • Other Optional Candies – Crushed Mini Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, or other candies. And candy eyeballs, especially if you’re making these cookies for Halloween.
    stack of soft monster cookies made with M&M's and candy eyeballs

    How to Make Chewy Monster Cookies

    These cookies are really easy to make. Here’s how to mix up the dough…

    1. In a large mixing bowl, cream, or mix together, the softened butter and brown sugar.
    2. Then mix the peanut butter into the butter sugar mixture.
    3. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well.
    4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
    5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing well.
    6. Mix the oats into the cookie dough.
    7. Add the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, M&M’s, and other candies (except candy eyeballs) into the dough, mixing everything together well.
    8. Using a cookie scoop, drop the cookies onto a cookie sheet.
    9. Bake at 375° F for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden and done.
    monster cookie dough in white mixer bowl
    1. If using candy eyeballs, gently press the eyeballs into the tops of the cookies while they’re hot, adding as many or as few as you want. This has a dual purpose… 1) Great for decorating Halloween cookies and 2) It allows you to gently press the cookie down into a flatter cookie while still warm.
    decorating Halloween cookies like monster cookies with candy eyeballs on a cookie sheet
    1. Remove the cookies to a wire rack to cool. Then serve with a nice mug of cold milk and enjoy!
    dunking monster chocolate chip cookies in milk in orange Fire King mug

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Should I chill monster cookie dough?

    It’s really not necessary for this cookie recipe. These cookies are already pretty chewy, and I prefer to just go ahead and bake the cookies while the dough is nice and soft.

    Why do my monster cookies go flat?

    There may be a few reasons… 1) If you use natural peanut butter, the extra oil can make the cookie dough spread flat while baking. 2) If your oven is too hot, the cookies may bake flatter, due to the butter in the dough melting too quickly. 3) Did you measure out the ingredients correctly? When measuring flour, it helps to spoon the flour into measuring cups, then use a knife’s edge to scrape off extra flour.

    Can I make this recipe into monster cookie bars instead of cookies?

    Yes, you can. Spread the dough into a greased 9×13 baking dish, and bake for at least 20-25 minutes, probably longer, ’til the cookie bars are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

    How should you store these cookies?

    Store then in an airtight container on the counter. They should keep for 4 to 5 days.

    Can you freeze monster cookies?

    Yes, you can make them and freeze them. Just allow enough time for the cookies to thaw before serving time. You can also freeze the cookie dough; just be sure to wrap it in plastic wrap, as well as place in an airtight container or freezer bag so it doesn’t get freezer burn. It should keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    stack of M&M's monster cookies with bite taken out of top cookie

    Really Yummy Mix-In Ideas for Monster Cookies

    We touched on this just a bit in the ingredients section, but this cookie dough is really versatile, and there are several mix-ins you can add to make them even more bulky, sweet, and monster-like…

    • Mini M&M’s
    • Crushed Mini Snickers
    • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
    • Reese’s Pieces
    • White chocolate chips
    • Butterscotch chips
    • Chopped walnuts or pecans
    • Bits of graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips to make s’more monster cookies

    Just use your imagination; the sky’s the limit with these cookies.

    pile of soft and chewy monster cookies on a white plate

    If you love this monster cookies recipe, you’ll love these cookie recipes too!

    More easy last minute Halloween ideas –>> 20+ Halloween treats – including Halloween brownies, party punch, cookies, no bake desserts, treats on a stick, Halloween cupcakes, and more! And if it’s a costume you need, why not make a DIY Garfield costume?

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Chewy Monster Cookies

    How to make soft and chewy monster cookies from scratch, loaded with peanut butter, oats, M&M's, and chocolate chips. Easy dessert recipe!

    • Mixer
    • Cookie Sheet
    • Cookie Scoop
    • Wire Rack
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
    • 1 cup light brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
    • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1/2 cup rolled oats
    • 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 1/4 cup peanut butter chips
    • 1/2 cup M&M'S
    • 1/2 cup candy eyeballs (optional)
    1. Pre-heat the oven to 375° F. 

    2. Cream, or mix together, the butter and brown sugar.
    3. Mix the peanut butter into the creamed mixture.
    4. Add the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture and mix well.
    5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. 

    6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing well.

    7. Mix the oats into the cookie dough.
    8. Add the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, M&M'S, and any other candies you want into the cookie dough, mixing everything together well.

    9. Using a cookie scoop, drop cookies onto a cookie sheet.

    10. Bake at 375° F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden and done.

    11. While the cookies are still on the cookie sheet, gently press the candy eyeballs into each cookie.*

    12. Remove the cookies to a wire rack to cool.

    13. Serve with a mug of ice cold milk!

    *Gently pressing the candy eyeballs into the cookies will also allow you to gently press the cookies a bit flatter while they’re still nice and warm.

    Store the cookies in an airtight container on the counter. They should keep for 4 to 5 days.

    Cookies & Bars, Desserts
    American
    halloween cookies, halloween desserts, monster cookies, monster cookies recipe
  • Frankenstein Brownies for Halloween

    Frankenstein Brownies for Halloween

    Frankenstein brownies are the cutest Halloween treats. They’re quick and easy Halloween snacks anyone can make, and especially fun for kids. Decorate these frosted chocolate treats at your next Halloween party!

    These fun Frankenstein Halloween Brownies are my favorite out of my entire Halloween brownie series I’m sharing with you. There’s just something so cute and sweet about a silly Frankenstein face.

    Frankenstein brownies decorated with frosting and candy eyeballs on wood countertop with candy corn

    I wanted to give you several Halloween desserts you can make in just a short amount of time. More Halloween brownie recipes you’ll love include: 

    And even though they’re not brownies, I can’t forget these super cute Frankenstein Rice Krispie treats.

    Frankenstein brownie on white marble countertop with green frosting, Halloween kitchen towel, candy eyeballs, and candy corn

    Why You’ll Love These Halloween Frankenstein Brownies

    • These Frankenstein Halloween treats may look like they take a lot of time, but they really don’t. They’re super quick and easy to make; you can even use a brownie mix.
    • You can either mix up a quick batch of sugar cookie icing, or you can buy pre-made decorating icing, whatever is easiest for you.
    • This recipe makes the best activity for a Halloween party. Set up a simple brownie buffet, and let everyone decorate their own Frankenstein brownie.

    Below you’ll find a few tips so that hopefully, making these Halloween snacks can be quick, seamless, and enjoyable for you. This is an opportunity for you to grab your kids and have some Halloween fun with them in the kitchen!

    If you still need a costume, I’ve gotcha covered with the most adorable Garfield costume ever!

    Frankenstein brownie ingredients, including brownie mix brownies, green icing, black icing, and candy eyeballs

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes

    You’ll need just a handful of things to make Frankenstein Halloween brownies, including the following:

    • Already baked and cooled brownies – You really want a brownie that’s going to be easy to slice and pull out of the pan, nothing too messy or gooey. My first batch of brownies turned out really soft and gooey; I didn’t realize they’d be that gooey. They could hardly be scraped off the bottom of the pan. I recommend using cake-like or chewy brownies (preferably chewy) that won’t be so gooey and will easily come right out of the pan. This brownie mix worked wonderfully for our Frankenstein brownies.
    • Green and black sugar cookie icing – Like I said above, you can mix up a quick batch of my favorite sugar cookie icing. You can even add peppermint extract if you want a minty flavor to your frosting. Once mixed, just separate the icing into two bowls, and mix according to your specific food coloring directions. I used Wilton Leaf Green and Black icing colors for my Frankenstein treats. Or you can use pre-made icing or decorating icing that’s ready to go. Personally, I love the flavor of homemade frosting. It just tastes so much better! But whatever you decide to use will work just fine.
    • Candy eyeballs
    Frankenstein Halloween brownies on wood countertop with candy corn

    How to Make Frankenstein Brownies

    First things first, make and prep the brownies…

    1. Mix and bake a brownie mix according to package directions.
    brownie mix brownies in blue baking dish
    1. Slice the brownies into squares, or at least, as close to square shaped brownies as you can.
    square brownie with candy eyeballs and Wilton leaf green icing on white marble countertop

    How to Decorate a Frankenstein Brownie

    1. Spread a layer of green icing on top of the brownie.
    decorating Frankenstein Halloween treats with green icing, Wilton Leaf Green food color
    1. Using Wilton Round Tip 5 (or the closest off brand cake tip) and a small pastry bag, add hair to your Frankenstein with the black icing. Just do a zig-zag along the hairline, and outline around the top of the head. Then fill in with black icing.
    adding black icing for hair to Halloween Frankenstein brownies, Wilton black food color
    1. Add candy eyeballs for his eyes.
    2. Add a small smile or mouth with the black icing.
    3. Then add a small piece of stitching to one cheek, also with black icing.
    decoraed Frankenstein brownie with candy eyeballs, black icing smile, and stitches

    Don’t worry about perfection because the more imperfect your Frankenstein looks, the more he’ll look like the monster mash-up his character was really created to be. Just have fun with it!

    Halloween Frankenstein brownies decorated for Halloween treats on wood countertop with candy corn

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    What if you don’t have cake tips and pastry bags?

    No worries! You really don’t have to have the cake tip I mentioned above or the pastry bag. You can get creative with what you have. If you have sandwich bags, snip the corner of a sandwich bag, fill the bag with icing, and swirl away. Works like a charm! You can also create a DIY pastry bag using parchment paper or wax paper. Or you can just use ready made icing that comes with a convenient tip for decorating, making the process even easier.

    Can I make Frankenstein brownies ahead of time?

    I’d recommend making them day of or only 1 day ahead of time. Reason being is the brownies, icing, and candy can degrade over time, and you really want these spooky Halloween brownies to look and taste their best.

    How should you store decorated Halloween brownies?

    Depending on the type of frosting you use, you should be able to store them in an airtight container on the countertop for 1-2 days; after that, they should be in the fridge for longer keep.

    close up Frankenstein Halloween brownies on wood countertop with candy corn

    More Easy and Spooky Halloween Recipes:

    If you love this freaky Frankenstein dessert, you’ll love these recipes too…

    More easy last minute ideas –>> 20+ Halloween movie desserts – including Halloween brownies, party punch, cookies, no bake desserts, treats on a stick, Halloween cupcakes, and more!

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Frankenstein Brownies

    Frankenstein brownies are the cutest Halloween treats. Quick and easy Halloween snacks anyone can make, especially fun for kids!

    • Mixer
    • Brownie Pan
    • Wilton Tip 5
    • Pastry Bags
    • 15 brownies (baked and cooled)
    • 2 cups green icing
    • 2 cups black decorating icing
    • 40 candy eyeballs
    1. Slice the brownies into squares.

    2. Spread a layer of green icing on top of each brownie.

    3. Using the black decorating icing and a round tip, add hair to your Frankenstein brownie. Just do a zig-zag along the hairline, and outline around the top of the head. Then fill in with the icing.

    4. Add candy eyeballs for his eyes.
    5. Add a small smile or mouth with the black icing.
    6. Then add a small piece of stitching to one cheek, also with the black icing.

    7. And that's it! They're ready to serve. 

    *I used Wilton Leaf Green and Black icing colors for my Frankenstein.

    *If you don’t want to buy icing, you can make homemade cookie frosting; then just separate the icing into two bowls, and mix it with black and green food coloring. Use a pastry bag and round tip to decorate. If you don’t have pastry bags or tips, you can use a sandwich bag instead. Just snip the corner of a sandwich bag, fill the bag with icing, and swirl away. You can also create a DIY pastry bag using parchment paper or wax paper.

    Depending on the type of frosting you use, you should be able to store these Halloween brownies in an airtight container on the countertop for 1-2 days; after that, they should be in the fridge for longer keep. I’d recommend making them either day of or only 1 day ahead of time. Reason being is the brownies, icing, and candy can degrade over time, and you really want these spooky Halloween brownies to look and taste their best.

    Halloween
    American
    Frankenstein brownie, Frankenstein brownies, Frankenstein dessert, Frankenstein Halloween treats, Halloween brownies, halloween desserts, Halloween Frankenstein brownies, Halloween snacks, Halloween treats
  • Twix Bar Mummy Halloween Brownies

    Twix Bar Mummy Halloween Brownies

    Twix Bar Mummy Brownies are quick and easy Halloween treats anyone can make! So cute and fun for kids, they’re the perfect Halloween desserts!

    Halloween is just around the corner, believe it or not. And these Halloween brownies topped with cute little Twix bar mummies, are a super easy treat you can whip up in no time.

    mummy halloween brownies made with Fun Size Twix bars on a plate with candy corn

    I don’t know about you, but I don’t like a really long, drawn out process when it comes to fun little Halloween treats for kids. I’m not a HUGE fan of pastry bags, even though I’ve created quite a few detailed treats with them since I became a mom.

    Halloween treats made with Twix bar mummy Halloween brownies

    But I’ll tell you, this is one super easy Halloween recipe, even uses a brownie mix. And while I use a homemade sugar cookie icing, you can totally buy decorating icing already made and ready to go.

    Below you’ll find a few tips, things I learned along the way, so hopefully, making these Halloween desserts can be seamless and enjoyable for you. This is a great opportunity to get your kids in the kitchen with you too.

    More Halloween treats you will love: Frankenstein BrowniesGhost Halloween BrowniesGraveyard Brownies, and Pumpkin Patch Halloween Brownies.

    icing wrapped mummy Twix bar decorated Halloween brownies

    WHAT KIND OF BROWNIE MIX SHOULD I USE?

    Ok, here’s the first tip because live and learn. You want a brownie that’s going to be easy to slice and pull out of the pan, nothing too messy or gooey.

    My first batch of brownies turned out a really ooey gooey brownie; I didn’t realize they’d be that gooey. They could hardly be scraped off the bottom of the pan.

    brownie mix brownies for easy Halloween brownies or easy Halloween treats in baking dish

    I recommend using cake-like or chewy brownies (preferably chewy) that won’t be so gooey and will easily come out of the pan.

    This brownie mix worked wonderfully for our mummy brownies.

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE THESE SCRUMPTIOUS HALLOWEEN TREATS

    You’ll need just a handful of things to make mummy Halloween brownies, including already baked and cooled brownies, Fun Size Twix bars, sugar cookie icing, and candy eyeballs.

    ingredients to make cute Halloween treats, Twix bar mummy Halloween brownies

    Slice your brownies into squares or as close to square shaped brownies as you can.

    To decorate brownies as mummies, follow these steps:

    adding icing to back of Twix bar for mummy Halloween brownies
    • Using Wilton Round Tip 10 (or the closest off brand cake tip) and a small pastry bag, “glue” a Twix bar to the top of the brownie with the sugar cookie icing.
    • Next “glue” the candy eyeballs toward the top of your Twix bar.
    add candy eyeballs to Twix bar for mummy Halloween brownies
    • Wrap it up (see what I did there?) by zig-zagging white icing across the top of  your Twix bar.

    When you add the mummy wrap (or icing), try not to cover up the eyes. Although if you happen to go across one of the eyeballs, it’s totally fine… It’ll probably look even more like a real mummy.

    wrapping mummy with icing from pastry bag on halloween brownies

    WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE CAKE TIPS AND PASTRY BAGS?

    No worries! You really don’t have to have the cake tip I mentioned above or the pastry bag. You can get creative with what you have.

    If you have sandwich bags, snip the corner of a sandwich bag, fill the bag with icing, and swirl away. Works like a charm!

    You can also create a DIY pastry bag using parchment paper or wax paper.

    Or you can just use ready made icing that comes with a convenient tip for decorating, making the process even easier.

    easy Halloween treats, Mummy Haloween Brownies made with Twix bars

    WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE TWIX BARS?

    If you don’t have Twix bars, just create the top of your brownie to look like a mummy.

    Simply add the candy eyeballs and icing to the top of your brownie instead of on the candy bars.

    And if you can’t find candy eyeballs, you can always use M&M’s, M&M’s Minis, or chocolate chips.

    Get creative and just have fun!

    mummy Halloween brownies with candy corn

    MORE HALLOWEEN TREATS AND RECIPES YOU CAN MAKE:

    More easy last minute ideas –>> 20+ Halloween treats – including Halloween brownies, party punch, cookies, no bake desserts, treats on a stick, Halloween cupcakes, and more!

    KITCHEN TOOLS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE MUMMY HALLOWEEN BROWNIES

    Mixer

    Brownie Pan or Cake Pan

    Pastry Bags (or Sandwich Bags)

    Wilton Tip 10

    TWIX BAR MUMMY HALLOWEEN BROWNIES RECIPE

    If you love this mummy Halloween brownies recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest! If you make the recipe, be sure to share that you tried it on Pinterest. I love when readers share feedback!

    Twix Bars Mummy Halloween Brownies Halloween Treats Recipe

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    Click on the video below to see how easy it is to make mummy brownies for Halloween!

    Twix Bar Mummy Brownies

    Twix bar mummy brownies are quick and easy Halloween treats anyone can make! So cute and fun for kids, and you only need 4 ingredients!

    • 15 brownies (baked and cooled)
    • 2 cups white decorating icing
    • 20 Fun Size Twix bars
    • 40 candy eyeballs
    1. Slice the brownies into squares.

    2. Using the white decorating icing, "glue" a Twix bar to the top of each brownie with the icing.

    3. Next, using the white decorating icing, "glue" the candy eyeballs toward the top of the Twix bar.

    4. Zig-zag white icing across the top of the Twix bar, doing your best not to cover up the eyes.

    5. That's it! Your spooky mummy treats are ready to serve.

    *If you don’t want to buy icing, you can also make homemade cookie icing; then use a pastry bag and round tip to decorate. If you’re using homemade icing and you don’t have pastry bags or tips, you can use a sandwich bag instead. Just snip the corner of a sandwich bag, fill the bag with icing, and swirl away.

    Desserts, Halloween
    American
    brownie mix, Halloween brownies, halloween desserts, Halloween treats, mummy brownies, Twix bar mummy
    Easy Halloween Brownies with Twix Bar Mummies
    easy Halloween treats, Twix bar mummy Halloween brownies
  • Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

    Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

    Make a batch of soft pumpkin spice sugar cookies, perfect for a cozy fall dessert. You can roll cookie dough in sugar before baking or spread with frosting after baking. Delectable autumn cookie recipe everyone will love!

    Fall is in the air, and so is pumpkin spice. Along with my favorite pumpkin gooey butter cake, these soft pumpkin sugar cookies are a scrumptious way to welcome fall.

    stack of soft pumpkin spice sugar cookies, made from scratch, on wood countertop with burlap cloth

    We make a lot of pumpkin recipes around here, so easy pumpkin sugar cookies fit right in.

    Why You’ll Love These Cookies

    • Pumpkin spice sugar cookies are soft and delicious.
    • You have options if you don’t have pumpkin on hand; we’ll talk more about this in the ingredients notes below, but you can use canned pumpkin, homemade mashed pumpkin, or even various types of squash.
    • Enjoy these soft pumpkin sugar cookies with frosting or without. If you don’t want to frost them, just do like I do, and roll the dough balls in sugar before baking. Easy peasy and still just as good.
    • This pumpkin sugar cookie recipe is great for fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Bake a batch for potlucks, parties, or bake sales.

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes

    Gather up a few ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand.

    • Unsalted Butter – You can use salted butter too; just keep in mind you may not need to add quite as much salt. Unsalted butter allows you to control the amount of salt that goes into the cookies. You’ll need to be sure to soften the butter before mixing.
    • Cane Sugar – You can also use granulated sugar. Just be sure to use the appropriate amount of sugar as specified by the recipe, because extra sugar can make your cookies spread and flatten, as well as be really sweet with a super chewy texture.
    • Light Brown Sugar – Brown sugar helps give a cookie its texture and flavor. In the case of fall flavors, brown sugar is where it’s at when you’re trying to get those yummy fall flavors into a recipe.
    • Egg – You’ll need a large egg.
    • Vanilla Extract
    • Pumpkin – While I make the cookies with canned pumpkin, you can also make your own homemade pumpkin puree. A lot of times, I will also substitute other types of squash if I don’t have pumpkin, especially when I make my grandma’s pumpkin pie recipe.
    • All-Purpose Flour – I prefer to use an unbleached all-purpose flour. And if you want to make gluten-free cookies, use a good gluten-free flour.
    • Cream of Tartar – If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can substitute lemon juice or white vinegar; for every 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar, you’ll need 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar.
    • Baking Soda
    • Sea Salt – I recommend and use Redmond Fine Sea Salt.
    • Pumpkin Pie Spice – You can buy this at the store, or make homemade pumpkin pie spice with individual spices and use that.

    How to Make Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

    Before you mix up the cookie dough, be sure to pre-heat your oven to 375° F.

    Mix up the Dough

    1. Cream or mix together the softened butter, cane sugar, and light brown sugar.
    2. Then mix both the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture.
    3. Next add in the pumpkin puree, and mix everything together well.
    4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
    5. Then stir the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, and mix really well, being sure to scrape the sides of your bowl.
    mixing pumpkin sugar cookie dough in white mixer

    Bake the Cookies

    1. Using a cookie scoop, scoop 1-inch balls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
    scoops of pumpkin sugar cookie dough on ungreased OXO cookie sheet
    1. Press each cookie with the bottom of a glass coated in pure cane sugar. If you want to frost the cookies, you can omit the sugar.
    flattening soft pumpkin sugar cookies with the bottom of a glass coated in cane sugar on cookie sheet
    1. Bake the flattened cookies at 375° F for about 12 minutes, or ’til the edges of the cookies begin to turn a nice golden brown.
    flattened pumpkin sugar cookies with sugar on top, ready to bake on ungreased baking sheet
    1. Remove the baked cookies from the cookie sheet, and place them on a wire rack to cool before serving. If you want to ice the cookies, just spread your favorite icing on the top of each cooled cookie.
    homemade pumpkin spice sugar cookies on a white plate with cookie sheet full of cookies

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Do you have to chill the cookie dough?

    No, but you can if you want a cookie that’s a bit more chewy in texture. If you choose to chill the dough, put it in the fridge for about 1-2 hours before baking.

    Can you freeze pumpkin spice sugar cookies?

    Yes, and actually, you can freeze the dough itself, the dough balls once you’ve scooped with a cookie scoop, or the unfrosted cookies. However you plan to freeze them, be sure to store in an airtight container so they don’t get freezer burn.

    How do you store pumpkin sugar cookies?

    If they’re unfrosted, just keep them in an airtight container on the counter. If you do frost them, you’ll need to store them in an airtight container in the fridge, since the frosting will likely have either cream cheese or milk in the ingredients.

    Additional Ingredients or Recipe Options

    There are a few ways you can add to this pumpkin sugar cookie recipe…

    • Coat the cookies in a cinnamon sugar mixture, rather than just sugar.
    • We talked about this a little bit above, but just like with my regular sugar cookies, instead of coating the cookies in sugar, you can actually frost these cookies with an easy sugar cookie icing or a cream cheese frosting.
    • If you want to make the icing even more fun and flavorful, you can add maybe 1/2 teaspoon of caramel extract or maple extract. Mmmm, can you imagine? Yum!
    • Add chopped walnuts or pecans to your cookie dough before baking.
    • Dust the top of your freshly baked, warm out of the oven, pumpkin sugar cookies with a light sprinkling of powdered sugar.
    plate full of yummy pumpkin sugar cookies made from scratch

    More Pumpkin Spice Recipes:

    You’ll find even more pumpkin recipes on my list of family favorite Thanksgiving recipes!

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

    Make a batch of soft pumpkin spice sugar cookies, perfect for a cozy fall dessert. Can be rolled in sugar or frosted. Delectable recipe!

    • Mixer
    • Cookie Scoop
    • Cookie Sheet
    • Cookie Spatula
    • Wire Rack
    • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
    • 3/4 cup cane sugar
    • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1/2 cup pumpkin
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
    1. Pre-heat the oven to 375° F.

    2. Cream or mix together the butter, cane sugar, and light brown sugar. 

    3. Then mix both the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture.
    4. Next add in the pumpkin, and mix everything together well.

    5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.

    6. Stir the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, and mix really well, being sure to scrape the sides of your bowl. 
    7. Using a cookie scoop, scoop 1-inch balls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. 
    8. Press each cookie with the bottom of a glass coated in cane sugar. If you want to frost the cookies, you can omit the sugar.

    9. Bake at 375° F for about 12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies begin to turn a nice golden brown.

    10. Remove the baked cookies from the cookie sheet, and place them on a wire rack to cool. If you want to frost the cookies, just spread your favorite frosting on the top of each cooled cookie.

    You can use either canned or homemade pumpkin purée to make these cookies.

    If the cookies are unfrosted, just store them in an airtight container on the counter. If you do frost them, you’ll need to store them in an airtight container in the fridge, since the frosting will likely have either cream cheese or milk in the ingredients.

    Cookies & Bars, Desserts
    American
    pumpkin cookies, pumpkin spice, pumpkin sugar cookies
  • Pumpkin Pear Spice Cake Holiday Dessert Recipe

    Pumpkin Pear Spice Cake Holiday Dessert Recipe

    Pumpkin Pear Spice Cake includes just a few of my favorite ingredients.

    The holidays are a joyous time. Family, friends, holiday parties and get-togethers, delicious food, decadent holiday desserts.

    Pumpkin Pear Spice Cake is a scrumptious holiday dessert, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Get the recipe for this delicious, easy to make, sheet cake.

    A sheet cake is also a nice alternative to the traditional pumpkin roll or pumpkin pie. It adds a bit of variety, and I’d wager that it’s a bit easier or simpler to make too.

    I’m looking forward to making this again for Thanksgiving.

    Pumpkin Pear Spice Cake is a scrumptious holiday dessert, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Get the recipe for this delicious, easy to make, sheet cake.

    My boys have been begging me to make it again. There’s just something about the combination of flavors…

    Pumpkin Pear Spice Cake is a scrumptious holiday dessert, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Get the recipe for this delicious, easy to make, sheet cake.

    It’s a scrumptious dessert perfect for the holiday season.

    Below you’ll find a printable recipe. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

    Pumpkin Pear Spice Cake is a scrumptious holiday dessert, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Get the recipe for this delicious, easy to make, sheet cake.

    More pumpkin recipes you may enjoy:

    Pin the recipe for Pumpkin Pear Spice Cake!
    Pumpkin Pear Spice Cake is a scrumptious holiday dessert, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Get the recipe for this delicious, easy to make, sheet cake.

    Pumpkin Spice Pear Cake

    Pumpkin spice pear cake is a scrumptious holiday dessert, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Get the recipe for this delicious, easy to make, sheet cake.

    Cake:

    • 1 cup cane sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1/2 cup pumpkin
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1/2 cup whole milk
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 2 medium pears (washed, peeled, and diced)

    Frosting:

    • 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
    • 2 tablespoons salted butter (softened)
    • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/4 teaspoon caramel extract
    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 24 mellowcreme candy pumpkins

    Cake:

    1. Pre-heat the oven to 375° F; grease and flour a 16×10 sheet cake pan.

    2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the sugar, eggs, pumpkin, lemon juice, and milk.

    3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, including the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon.

    4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing well.

    5. Add the diced pear to the mixture, mixing well.

    6. Spread the batter into the greased sheet cake pan, spreading it evenly in the pan.

    7. Bake at 375° F for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick, inserted in the center, comes out clean and cake begins to turn golden.

    8. Remove the cake from the oven, and allow it to cool completely.

    Frosting:

    1. Whisk the cream cheese and butter together 'til smooth and creamy.

    2. Add the vanilla extract, caramel extract, and powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, mixing everything together well.

    3. Spread the creamy frosting on top of the cooled cake.

    4. Slice the cake and add candy pumpkins to the top of each slice; then serve!

    Refrigerate the cake when not being served or eaten.

    Cakes & Cupcakes, Desserts
    American
    autumn recipes, cake recipes, cakes, fall recipes, pear cake, pumpkin cake, pumpkin pear cake, pumpkin pear spice cake, pumpkin spice pear cake, spice cake, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving recipes
  • DIY Garfield Costume for Kids

    DIY Garfield Costume for Kids

    Whip up a homemade Garfield costume for kids with minimal sewing and a dab of Garfield makeup. Anyone can make this easy DIY costume, supply list included; it’s especially perfect for Halloween!

    Every year I say I’m going to make the boys’ costumes, and every year Halloween gets away from me, leaving us scrambling the night before.

    boy in Garfield costume with stuffed Pooky the Teddy Bear and lasagna pan with trick or treat bucket

    Well, not this year, because we’ve been busy! Jaden kept changing his mind on what he wanted to be for Halloween. Finally, he decided on a Garfield Halloween costume.

    I waited a few days before I started purchasing supplies, just in case he changed his mind again. Nope, Garfield it was.

    This DIY Garfield costume is really pretty simple to make. In fact, why not make some Halloween treats to go along with your costume making? Like chewy monster cookies or Frankenstein brownies. Or better yet, Frankenstein Rice Krispie treats. Yum!

    Why You’ll Love This Costume

    • This costume is easy to make, and requires minimal supplies.
    • It also requires minimal sewing for those who are sewing challenged.
    • You can make this a Garfield baby costume, toddler costume, or adult costume. It works for anyone, any size, any age!
    • It’s the perfect costume for Halloween, Garfield cosplay, theatrical productions, and more!
    supplies to make a DIY Garfield costume, including orange pajamas, Duck Tape, quilt batting, a Sharpie fabric marker, and costume makeup

    Supplies and Materials Notes:

    You’ll need a few supplies and tools for this Garfield costume DIY…

    How to Make a Garfield Costume DIY

    When making this costume, we decided to make the Garfield portion of the footie pajamas a temporary thing. Jaden wanted to use them as jammies after Halloween.

    So we used Duck Tape for the stripes and tacked the ears and tail on. That way, everything will be easy to remove when Halloween is over.

    Garfield Halloween costume made with footie pajamas and black Duck Tape

    Just a Few Important Notes:

    It’s a good idea to wash the pajamas before you start crafting. That way they’re clean and ready to be decorated.

    You’ll also need to make a template for the stripes on Garfield’s back. I looked at various images of Garfield on Google and decided to go with 4 stripes.

    Making a template out of a smaller piece of poster board makes cutting the Duck Tape stripes so much easier and more efficient. The size of the stripes will depend on the size costume you’re making.

    Make the Stripes:

    1. Roll out a piece of Duck Tape, place your template over the Duck Tape, and use a craft knife to cut the shape out of the Duck Tape.
    2. Then apply each stripe to the back of the footie pajamas.
    3. After placing the larger stripes, mark where you want to place the ears. Then cut a smaller stripe template for stripes that go up the hood of the pajamas, and cut the stripes. Place each stripe up the left side of the hoodie, matching in place with the stripes on the right side of the hoodie. I placed 4 stripes on each side of the hood.
    how to make a Garfield costume DIY by adding stripes made out of black Duck Tape to orange footie pajamas

    Now for the Garfield Ears:

    1. Begin by cutting 2 small semi-circles out of the 1-in. thick foam. Place the semi-circles on the extra fleece fabric, and draw an oval around the shapes, leaving about 1 inch extra for the hem.
    2. For each ear, fold the oval shaped fabric in half, and sew around the edges, leaving 2-3 inches open for stuffing with the foam shape. Then turn the ears right side out and stuff with the foam shapes.
    3. After stuffing, close up the ear with a needle and thread.
    4. Tack the ears to the top of the hood where you’d previously marked for the ears to go. Using an image of Garfield as your guide, color in stripes and outline the ears with a black “Stained by Sharpie” fabric marker.
    how to make a Garfield costume by sewing the Garfield ears and tacking them to hoodie pajamas, then adding stripes with a black fabric marker

    And Finally, Garfield’s Tail:

    My husband, Dan, actually came up with this tail shape for me; he’s more of an artist than I am when it comes to designing/drawing. It turned out awesome!

    1. Fold more of the extra fleece fabric in half, and draw your shape, making sure to draw the tail large enough for the hem.
    2. Cut the tail out of the folded fleece, cutting both pieces of fabric. Then sew it together.
    3. Once the tail pieces are sewn together, it’s time to turn the tail right side out and stuff it with quilt batting. Make sure the tail is full to the gills with quilt batting. Once it’s full of batting, tack the tail to the back side of the costume.
    4. Cut 4 more stripes out of the Duck Tape. 2 stripes will be very small, and 2 stripes will be more of a medium size. Place the stripes on the tail. Then, using an image of Garfield as your guide, color in the end of the tail with the fabric marker.
    how to make a Garfield costume by making a tail out of fleece fabric, quilt batting, black Duck tape, and a black fabric marker

    Add the Finishing Touches to Your Homemade Garfield Costume

    Finally, it’s time for the props.

    Garfield loves his lasagna, so I hot glued Jaden’s trick or treat pumpkin bucket inside a foil pan labeled ‘Lasagna’. Easy peasy!

    lasagna trick or treat bucket to go with homemade Garfield costume

    And Jaden decided that he needed to also have Teddy with him (aka, Pooky), since Garfield loves his Pooky the Teddy Bear.

    We needed a little Garfield makeup, so we added a little costume makeup for whiskers and such, and he was all set. So stinkin’ adorable, y’all!

    Garfield costume DIY with Pooky the Teddy Bear and costume makeup whiskers

    And that’s all there is to it! Such an easy costume to make; all you need are a few supplies and a couple hours.

    Garfield is in the house, yo! And Jaden is so excited for trick-or-treating this Halloween. Have to say, I’m pretty excited too!

    More Halloween Costumes for Kids

    If you love this Garfield outfit as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the DIY on Facebook and Pinterest!

    I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to leave a comment, and follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can subscribe to my email list too.

    Garfield Costume DIY

    Whip up a homemade Garfield costume for kids with minimal sewing and a dab of Garfield makeup. Easy DIY costume, supply list included.

    • 1 craft knife
    • 1 cutting mat
    • 1 black “Stained by Sharpie” fabric marker
    • Sewing machine
    • 1 hand sewing needle
    • Sewing scissors
    • Hot glue gun
    • 1 pair orange footie hooded pajamas*
    • 1/2 yard matching fleece fabric
    • 1 large roll black Duck Tape
    • 1 mini roll black Duck Tape
    • 1 piece poster board
    • quilt batting
    • orange thread
    • 1 piece 1-inch thick foam
    • 1 foil pan
    • 1 trick or treat bucket
    • costume makeup
    • hot glue sticks
    1. Roll out a piece of Duck Tape, place your template* over the Duck Tape, and use a craft knife to cut the shape out of the Duck Tape.

    2. Then apply each stripe to the back of the footie pajamas.

    3. After placing the larger stripes, mark where you want to place the ears.
    4. Then cut a smaller stripe template for stripes that go up the hood of the pajamas, and cut out the stripes.
    5. Place each stripe up the left side of the hoodie, matching in place with stripes on the right side of the hoodie. I placed 4 stripes on each side of the hood.
    6. Begin the ears by cutting 2 small semi-circles out of the 1-inch thick foam.

    7. Place the semi-circles on the extra fleece fabric, and draw an oval around the shapes, leaving about 1 inch extra for the hem.

    8. For each ear, fold the oval shaped fabric in half, and sew around the edges, leaving 2-3 inches open for stuffing with the foam shape.
    9. Then turn the ears right side out and stuff with the foam shapes.
    10. After stuffing, close up the ear with a needle and thread.

    11. Tack the ears to the top of the hood where you’d previously marked for the ears to go.
    12. Using an image of Garfield as your guide, color in stripes and outline the ears with the fabric marker.

    13. Fold more of the fleece fabric in half, and draw your shape, making sure to draw the tail large enough for the hem.

    14. Cut the tail out of the folded fleece, cutting both pieces of fabric. Then sew it together.
    15. Once the tail pieces are sewn together, it’s time to turn the tail right side out and stuff it with quilt batting. Make sure the tail is full to the gills with quilt batting.

    16. Once it’s full of batting, tack the tail to the back side of the costume.
    17. Cut 4 more stripes out of the Duck Tape. 2 stripes will be very small, and 2 stripes will be more of a medium size.

    18. Place the stripes on the tail.
    19. Then, using an image of Garfield as your guide, color in the end of the tail with the fabric marker.

    20. Hot glue a trick or treat pumpkin bucket inside a foil pan, labeled ‘Lasagna’.

    21. Add a stuffed teddy bear for Pooky the Teddy Bear.

    22. Use costume makeup to make Garfield makeup, including whiskers, a pink nose, and other Garfield facial features.

    23. And that’s it! Your costume is ready to go!

    *Wash the pajamas before starting to craft the costume.

    *You’ll need to make a template for the stripes on Garfield’s back. Making a template out of a smaller piece of poster board makes cutting the Duck Tape stripes so much easier and more efficient. The size of the stripes will depend on the size costume you’re making.

    Halloween
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