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.
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.
- Ingredient Complexity: Pantry Basics (plus a few festive extras)
- Dietary Notes: Vegetarian
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Ingredients & Substitutions
This simple Halloween treat comes together with pantry staples and a few themed add-ons.
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!
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!
Step 1: Prepare the brownies according to the instructions on your box. My mix baked at 350°F for about 30 minutes.
Step 2: Allow the baked brownies to cool until they're comfortable to handle.
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.
Step 4: Insert three pretzel stick halves on each side of the brownie ball to create six "legs."
Step 5: Use the back of a spoon or a small palette knife to spread a layer of chocolate frosting on top.
Step 6: Add candy eyeballs near the front of the ball, on top of the frosting.
Step 7: Sprinkle chocolate sprinkles on top of the remaining exposed frosting for the "hair."
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:
- Line the baking pan with parchment (this makes it easier to remove the brownies later).
- Prepare and cook the brownies according to package instructions.
- Remove the brownies from the pan and allow them to cool completely.
- 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.
- Decorate the round flat pieces of brownie with the pretzels, frosting and sprinkles.
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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.
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.
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.
Recipe Card
Spider Brownies
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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
- 9-inch (23 cm) 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
- 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).
- Allow the baked brownies to cool until they're just warm before handling.
- 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.
- Insert three pretzel stick halves into each side of the brownie ball for six legs total.
- Spread a thin layer of chocolate frosting on top of each brownie ball using a spoon or palette knife.
- Press on two candy eyeballs and sprinkle chocolate sprinkles over the frosting for a "hairy" look.
- Allow to set at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Notes
- Line the baking pan with parchment (this makes it easier to remove the brownies later).
- Prepare and cook the brownies according to package instructions.
- Remove the brownies from the pan and allow them to cool completely.
- 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.
- Decorate the round flat pieces of brownie with the pretzels, frosting and sprinkles.
- 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
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on specific ingredients and brands used. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Private Notes
Have you made this recipe?
Let us know how it turned out in the comments!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. All recipes are tested in her home kitchen. Learn more →
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!
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!
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!!
Shareba says
Thanks Carrie!!