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Spider Brownies

Shareba Abdul, founder and editor of In Search Of Yummy-ness.
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Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 20 pieces
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These Spider Brownies are cute, chocolatey Halloween treats made with boxed brownie mix!

They're easy to make, fun to decorate, and a great group activity for kids and adults alike.

Get creative with the frosting, pretzels and candy eyes! Half the fun is bringing these little guys to life.

A decorated spider brownie inside the garage of a Haunted gingerbread house, next to a spider web.

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Recipe Highlights

  • Servings: Makes about 20 brownie spiders
  • Time Commitment: 10 minutes prep + 30 minutes bake + 15 minutes decorating
  • Effort Required: Easy and fun. Great for kids or beginner bakers.
  • Special Equipment: 9-inch (23 cm) or 8-inch (20 cm) baking pan, small cookie scoop (optional), palette knife or spoon for spreading frosting, and a small round cookie cutter for the kid-friendly version.
  • Dietary Notes: Vegetarian
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Ingredients & Substitutions

This simple Halloween treat comes together with pantry staples and a few themed add-ons.

Ingredients for making Halloween spider brownies arranged on a dark wooden table. Includes a box of brownie mix, a glass measuring cup with water, a bowl of oil, a bowl with a cracked egg, pretzel sticks, candy eyeball sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles, and chocolate frosting.

See below for key ingredient tips and my recommended substitutions.

  • Brownie Mix: Any boxed brownie mix will work! You can also just make your favourite homemade brownie recipe instead.
  • Water, Oil, and Egg: These are required for most boxed brownie mixes. Check yoour brownie mix box to see what you'll need for that particular brand. If your mix calls for additional ingredients, be sure to pick those up before making this recipe.
  • Chocolate Frosting: I used the frosting included with my mix, but any store-bought chocolate frosting will work.
  • Pretzel Sticks: I used regular salted pretzel sticks, but you could use traditional pretzels and make the legs curved instead.
  • Candy Eyeball Sprinkles: You can find these at most grocery stores, craft stores or baking supply stores around Halloween. Mine were a medium size. If you can't find these, use white icing and round chocolate sprinkles to make the eyes.
  • Chocolate Sprinkles: I used long chocolate sprinkles (jimmies) so the spiders would look "hairy". You can substitute toasted shredded coconut or crushed chocolate cookies for a different look.

This recipe has not been tested with all possible substitutions or variations. Making changes may alter the taste, texture, or overall outcome. If you try a different ingredient, please share in the comments!

An illustration of a recipe card next to a green bowl with ingredients falling into it.

See the recipe card for the complete ingredient list and recipe instructions.

How to Make Spider Brownies

These adorable spider brownies are easy to make and fun to decorate!

The contents of a box of brownie mix in a peach-coloured bowl with oil, water and an egg. Waiting to be combined with a spatula sitting in the bowl.

Step 1: Prepare the brownies according to the instructions on your box. My mix baked at 350°F for about 30 minutes.

A 9 by 9 metal baking dish with fully baked brownies in it.

Step 2: Allow the baked brownies to cool until they're comfortable to handle.

Hands using a cookie scoop to scoop out warm cooked browni to make round brownie balls.

Step 3: Use a small cookie scoop to portion out a brownie ball, avoiding the crisp edges and corners. Roll the scooped brownie pieces between your palms to form smooth balls.

Hands decorating a spider brownie by inserting pretzel stick pieces into a round brownie ball to make spider legs. There are three other spider brownies in progress on parchment paper.

Step 4: Insert three pretzel stick halves on each side of the brownie ball to create six "legs."

Hands decorating a spider brownie by applying chocolate frosting on a round brownie ball with pretzel stick legs, with more finished spider brownies in the background on parchment paper.

Step 5: Use the back of a spoon or a small palette knife to spread a layer of chocolate frosting on top.

Hands decorating a spider brownie by pressing candy eyeball sprinkles into chocolate frosting on a round brownie ball with pretzel stick legs, with more finished spider brownies in the background on parchment paper.

Step 6: Add candy eyeballs near the front of the ball, on top of the frosting.

Hands decorating a spider brownie by adding chocolate sprinkles onto chocolate frosting on a round brownie ball with pretzel stick legs, with more finished spider brownies in the background on parchment paper.

Step 7: Sprinkle chocolate sprinkles on top of the remaining exposed frosting for the "hair."

Seven finished spider brownies with pretzel legs on parchment paper.

Step 8: Let them set at room temperature, then store in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

Kid-Friendly Version (No Rolling Required)

I chose to roll the warm baked brownie mixture into balls because it creates a nice round spider, but that's not something I would recommend doing with children.

If you are making this recipe with kids, use this method instead:

  1. Line the baking pan with parchment (this makes it easier to remove the brownies later).
  2. Prepare and cook the brownies according to package instructions.
  3. Remove the brownies from the pan and allow them to cool completely.
  4. Cut out round shapes with a small round cookie cutter, avoiding the corners and edges. I'd use a cookie cutter with a 1 or 1 ½ inch diameter.
  5. Decorate the round flat pieces of brownie with the pretzels, frosting and sprinkles.
An illustration of a pair of hands being washed under running water.

Clean Hands or Gloves? Professional chefs often handle food with clean hands. Just wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water first. If you prefer to use gloves, choose latex-free, food-safe nitrile gloves, since some people are allergic to latex.

A decorated spider brownie with pretzel stick legs, chocolate frosting, candy eyeball sprinkles, and chocolate sprinkles sits on top of a purple icing-covered Halloween gingerbread house.

Tips for Success

  • Be careful: Hot brownies can burn your hands, so please make sure to cool the brownies before scooping them!
  • Be gentle: Press the pretzel legs in slowly so the brownies don't split in half.
  • Don't skip the frosting: It acts like glue for the sprinkles and eyes.
  • Make it a group activity: Making these spider brownies is way more fun as a group.
A decorated spider brownie sits under a giant white spider web, next to a pumpkin, with another spider brownie behind it.

Serve With

These brownies are perfect on their own, but extra delicious with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of coffee (or hot chocolate).

If you're serving these at a party, try pairing them with a fun non-alcoholic fall drink like Butterbeer.

A decorated spider brownie sitting in a toasted coconut pumpkin patch with icing pumpkins.

Recipe Card

A decorated spider brownie with pretzel stick legs, chocolate frosting, candy eyeball sprinkles, and chocolate sprinkles sits on top of a purple icing-covered Halloween gingerbread house.

Spider Brownies

Author: Shareba Abdul
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Print Recipe
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Servings: 20 pieces
These cute and chocolatey Halloween treats combine fudgy brownies, pretzel legs, and candy eyes for a sweet-and-salty bite everyone will love.
Course: Snack, Treat
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 box brownie mix, (any brand)
  • water, use amount listed on brownie mix box
  • egg, use amount listed on brownie mix box
  • oil, use amount listed on brownie mix box
  • ½ cup chocolate frosting
  • 60 pretzel sticks, each one broken in half
  • 3 tablespoons chocolate sprinkles
  • 40 candy eyeball sprinkles

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Mixing Spoon, or spatula
  • 9x9 inch Baking Pan, or an 8-inch (20cm) baking pan
  • Small Cookie Scoop, optional
  • Palette knife, or spoon, for spreading frosting
  • Small Round Cookie Cutter, if making kid-friendly version

Instructions

  1. Prepare the brownies according to the instructions on your box, using the water, oil, and egg amounts listed there. Bake as directed (usually 350°F for about 30 minutes).
  2. Allow the baked brownies to cool until they're just warm before handling.
  3. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out balls of brownie from the center (avoid the dry edges). Roll gently in your hands to form smooth balls.
  4. Insert three pretzel stick halves into each side of the brownie ball for six legs total.
  5. Spread a thin layer of chocolate frosting on top of each brownie ball using a spoon or palette knife.
  6. Press on two candy eyeballs and sprinkle chocolate sprinkles over the frosting for a "hairy" look.
  7. Allow to set at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

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Notes

IMPORTANT: Be sure to check your brownie mix box for the exact amounts of water, oil, and eggs required for that particular product! Some boxes may call for 2 eggs, etc.
Kid-Friendly Version (No Rolling Required):
I chose to roll the warm baked brownie mixture into balls because it creates a nice round spider, but that's not something I would recommend doing with children.
If you are making this recipe with kids, use this method instead:
  1. Line the baking pan with parchment (this makes it easier to remove the brownies later).
  2. Prepare and cook the brownies according to package instructions.
  3. Remove the brownies from the pan and allow them to cool completely.
  4. Cut out round shapes with a small round cookie cutter, avoiding the corners and edges. I'd use a cookie cutter with a 1 or 1 ½ inch diameter.
  5. Decorate the round flat pieces of brownie with the pretzels, frosting and sprinkles.
Recipe Tips:
  • Brownie mixes vary: I used a brownie mix that came with chocolate frosting. If your mix does not come with frosting, buy a small tub of chocolate frosting from the baking section of your grocery store.
  • Be careful: Hot brownies can burn your hands, so please make sure to cool the brownies before scooping them.
  • Be gentle: Press the pretzel legs in slowly so the brownies don't split in half.
  • Don't skip the frosting: It acts like glue for the sprinkles and eyes.
  • Make it a group activity: Making these spider brownies is way more fun as a group.
  • Storage: Keep in an airtight container for 2-3 days at room temperature.

Please read the full blog post for all of my tips, variations, and recommendations for this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories192kcalCarbohydrates28gProtein2gFat8gSaturated Fat1gPolyunsaturated Fat1gMonounsaturated Fat4gTrans Fat0.02gCholesterol8mgSodium108mgPotassium18mgFiber0.1gSugar19gVitamin A12IUVitamin C0.03mgCalcium2mgIron1mg

Nutritional information is an estimate provided as a courtesy and will vary based on the specific ingredients used. For exact values, use your preferred nutritional calculator with the products you're using.

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About Shareba

Shareba Abdul is a recipe developer and food photographer with a Culinary Arts certificate from George Brown College and 15+ years of experience creating and testing recipes for home cooks. She is also a member of the International Association for Culinary Professionals. All recipes on this website are tested in her home kitchen. Learn more →

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  1. Charlotte says

    I've realized that while I may hate spiders, I LOVE these adorable spider brownies! I have some leftover eye candies from another recipe I made last week so this will be the perfect way to use them up!

    Reply

    • Shareba says

      I was going to say that you could totally use leftover eyes from your candy bark! LOL! I'm the same way with spiders. Can't stand them in real life, but I love cutesy ones in like cartoons and stuff. I don't know why!

      Reply

  2. bakeforgranted says

    These are absolutely adorable! Love how cute they are, and I am all for anything brownie! May have to try these even though Halloween was last week!!

    Reply

    • Shareba says

      Thanks Carrie!!

      Reply