Introduction

These Simple Melted Halloween Jack O’ Lantern Brownies combine rich chocolatey brownies with festive orange candy melts and marshmallow pumpkins. Perfect for a spooky treat, they’re fun to decorate and delightfully delicious for any Halloween celebration.

The image shows a single square piece of rich, dark brown chocolate brownie forming the bottom layer with a moist and crumbly texture, topped by a thick, bright orange layer of glossy pumpkin-shaped frosting that smoothly drapes over the edges of the brownie. The pumpkin decoration has two small black triangular eyes and a jagged black mouth drawn on the front, all made of smooth icing. On top of the pumpkin frosting sits a dark brown, swirled dollop of chocolate that looks like a witch’s hat. The background is softly blurred but shows more similar pumpkin brownies, all set against a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1 package (12 oz) orange candy melts
9 large marshmallows
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, separated

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch square pan and set it aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder until well combined.
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the melted butter with sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently until just combined. Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chunks. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Step 3: Bake the brownies for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Remove from oven and let cool completely before slicing into 9 squares.
Step 4: Line your countertop with parchment paper and arrange the cooled brownie squares spaced apart. Melt the orange candy melts according to package instructions.
Step 5: Using dipping forks or toothpicks, dip one marshmallow into the melted orange candy without shaking off excess. Place it quickly in the center of a brownie square and tap gently to allow the coating to drip and smooth. Add extra coating on top if desired for a more dramatic effect.
Step 6: Before the coating sets, press one semisweet chocolate chip onto each marshmallow to form the pumpkin stem. Repeat for all brownies and let the coating harden for about 30 minutes.
Step 7: Melt the remaining semisweet chocolate chips in a small bowl according to package directions. Transfer to a piping bag or plastic bag with a small tip. Pipe jack-o-lantern faces onto the orange marshmallow pumpkins and allow the chocolate to harden, about 15 minutes. Get creative with different expressions!

Tips & Variations

Use a silicone baking mat instead of parchment paper for easier cleanup when decorating.
Substitute orange candy melts with white chocolate dyed with orange food coloring.
For extra texture, mix chopped nuts into the brownie batter before baking.
If you don’t have dipping forks, toothpicks or small forks work well for dipping marshmallows.

Storage

Store the decorated brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep away from heat to prevent melting of the candy coating. If refrigerated, bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture. These treats do not freeze well once decorated.

How to Serve

This image shows small square pieces of dark brown, moist brownie as the base, topped with a smooth, shiny orange layer that drips slightly down the sides. On top of each orange layer is a small orange marshmallow shaped like a pumpkin with a round, slightly flattened top and a small dark chocolate drop as the stem. Each pumpkin marshmallow has black eyes and a jagged mouth drawn on, resembling a jack-o'-lantern face. The brownies sit on a black surface with web-like patterns. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of candy melts for decoration?

Candy melts provide a smooth, hard coating that sets well for decorating, which regular chocolate chips may not achieve as easily. However, you can melt regular chocolate chips for dipping if handled carefully, but the finish may be less shiny and firm.

How can I prevent the orange candy coating from dripping too much?

When dipping the marshmallows, avoid shaking off excess candy coating to create the melted drip effect. To control the drip, tap gently and add more coating selectively. Working quickly helps the coating to set before it drips excessively.