Looking for a spooky, crowd-pleasing Halloween dessert that’s easy to make and wildly fun to decorate? These Freaky Eyeball Brownies are gooey, chocolatey, and topped with creepy candy eyeballs that stare right back at you! They’re the perfect balance of playful and delicious—great for Halloween parties, bake sales, or a festive night in with the family.
Best of all? You can make them with your favorite homemade or boxed brownie recipe and decorate them however freaky you like!
Introduction
Halloween is the ultimate holiday for creative baking—and eyeball brownies are one of the most fun (and least fussy) ways to get in on the ghoulish excitement. Kids love them, adults laugh at them, and everyone goes back for seconds.
These brownies are rich and fudgy, either from scratch or using a boxed mix as your base. The real showstopper is the spooky decorating: candy eyeballs, red gel icing for “blood,” green frosting for a zombie vibe, or white chocolate glaze for a ghostly look.
Whether you’re making them for a haunted house party, spooky school event, or just to surprise your family, they’re the ultimate Halloween dessert.
Ingredient Overview
You can start with a basic brownie recipe (or a high-quality boxed mix), then layer on creepy toppings.
Brownie Base (Choose One)
From Scratch:
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Unsweetened cocoa powder
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All-purpose flour
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Eggs
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Butter or oil
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Sugar
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Vanilla extract
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Salt
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Optional: chocolate chips for extra fudginess
Boxed Mix:
Any 18–20 oz brownie mix works well (Ghirardelli, Duncan Hines, etc.). Just prepare according to the package.
Decorations
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Candy eyeballs: Available in the baking aisle or online. Choose small, large, bloodshot, or glow-in-the-dark styles.
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Red gel icing or decorating gel: For “bloody” effects.
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White chocolate: For spooky drips or glaze.
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Green frosting: Zombie green is always a hit.
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Sprinkles: Halloween-themed (bones, bats, orange/black jimmies).
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Optional: Crushed Oreos for “dirt”, gummy worms, or edible glitter for extra drama.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Brownies
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Line an 8×8 or 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray.
From Scratch:
In a bowl, mix:
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1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter
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1 cup sugar
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2 eggs
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1 tsp vanilla
Whisk until smooth, then stir in:
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1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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1/2 cup flour
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1/4 tsp salt
Pour into pan and bake for 20–25 minutes until just set in the center. Do not overbake!
Boxed Version:
Prepare as directed on the box and bake accordingly. Add chocolate chips for extra richness.
Cool completely before decorating.
2. Decorate Your Freaky Eyeballs
Once brownies are cool, cut them into squares (9 or 12 pieces depending on pan size).
Basic Eyeball Topping:
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Use a dab of frosting or melted chocolate to attach a candy eyeball to each square.
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For extra freakiness, use red gel icing to draw bloodshot lines radiating from the eyeballs.
Ghostly Glaze:
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Drizzle white chocolate over each brownie square.
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Press a candy eyeball in the center.
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Add two smaller eyes for a multi-eyed monster.
Zombie Style:
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Spread green frosting across the top.
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Stick eyeballs in askew.
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Use black gel to create zombie “stitches” or cracks.
Bloody Effect:
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Drip red decorating gel around the eyes for a bloody horror effect.
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You can also “splatter” with a toothpick for a realistic gore look.
Tips, Variations, and Substitutions
Tips
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Use cooled brownies before decorating so frosting doesn’t melt.
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Cut with a plastic knife or clean metal knife for neater edges.
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Make ahead: Brownies store well and can be decorated 1–2 days in advance.
Variations
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Eyeball brownie pops: Roll cooled brownies into balls, stick on a lollipop stick, and dip in white chocolate. Top with candy eyeballs.
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Monster brownies: Add green, purple, or black buttercream frosting and layer with eyeballs, candy teeth, and licorice “hair.”
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Gluten-free version: Use your favorite gluten-free brownie mix or almond flour recipe.
Substitutions
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No candy eyeballs? Use:
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Mini marshmallows + chocolate chip centers
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M&M’s with a dot of black icing
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White icing piped into circles with edible marker pupils
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Serving Ideas & Occasions
These brownies are Halloween gold at:
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Classroom parties
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Halloween potlucks
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Spooky bake sales
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Haunted house treats
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Dessert boards for scary movie nights
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Festive family baking afternoons
Serve them:
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On a black cake stand for spooky contrast
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Tucked into treat boxes
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Alongside Halloween punch, cookies, and popcorn
Pair with:
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Apple cider
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Hot chocolate with Halloween marshmallows
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Witch’s brew green punch
Nutritional & Health Notes
While these are festive treats, you can still make small swaps:
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Use less sugar or coconut sugar in homemade batter
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Add pureed pumpkin or applesauce to replace some oil
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Choose dark chocolate chips for a richer, antioxidant boost
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Go for a smaller pan for thicker brownies and more portion control
Approximate nutrition (per brownie, without toppings):
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Calories: 180–220
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Sugar: 15–20g
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Fat: 9–12g
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Carbs: 22–26g
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Protein: 2–3g
Decorations will add 20–40 calories depending on toppings.
FAQ
1. Where can I buy candy eyeballs?
Most grocery stores carry them in the baking aisle during fall. You can also find them at craft stores or online on Amazon and specialty baking sites.
2. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake and decorate them 1–2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for extra freshness.
3. What brownie mix works best?
Ghirardelli or Betty Crocker fudge brownies give rich, chewy texture ideal for topping. Add chocolate chips for extra decadence.
4. Can I freeze eyeball brownies?
You can freeze the baked brownies before decorating. Decorated brownies with candy should not be frozen as the textures and decorations may get soggy.
5. How do I make them look bloodier?
Use red gel icing generously or a mixture of corn syrup + red food dye. Splatter using a small brush or straw for dramatic effect.
6. Can I make them allergy-friendly?
Yes—use a dairy-free, egg-free brownie base and check your decorations for allergens. Candy eyeballs are usually dairy-free but not always gluten-free.
7. Can kids help decorate?
Absolutely! This is a great hands-on activity. Set up a “monster decorating station” and let them add their own creepy creativity.
