You’ll love these easy and fun spider brownies! All you need to make these spider brownies are brownies, frosting, and a few candies. Excellent for parties!
Spider Brownies for Halloween
For holidays, I like to take shortcuts. The simpler the prep, the better! Halloween may be scary, but getting ready for it doesn’t have to be.
These spider brownies are very simple. All you need are some brownies (homemade or store bought), some chocolate frosting, and a few candies. This is the kind of recipe that’s so easy you can have the kids make it for you.
It’s a fun activity to do on Halloween while you’re waiting for the sun to go down far enough so that you can head out to trick or treat.
I used licorice legs for these spiders because of the dark color, but you can just as easily use pretzel twigs or something similar. Ditto for the candies. I used red M&Ms, but you could use anything as eyes—red hots, candy buttons, etc.
If you’re short on time, simply grab everything premade at the store. A can of frosting, a slab of brownies, and you’re good to go. Or you can go the homemade route and make the brownies and frosting yourself.
I was actually inspired to make this set of spider brownies by a Doctor Who-themed cooking event called the “Time Lord Chefs.” Several Doctor Who fans (including me) created unique recipes inspired by season 8 of Doctor Who. You will be amazed by the creativity! Check out the recipes here:
Trivia fans will note that the episode “Kill the Moon” featured large spiders with glowing red eyes. These spider brownies are much less scary, and they are (presumably) much, much tastier.
If you’re a Doctor Who fan, you’ll also enjoy these Bow Tie & Fez Cupcakes. For a sweet Halloween, you might also like Pumpkin Brownies Baked in a Pumpkin, or some Pumpkin Bread Pudding.
I hope you have a fantastic Halloween and your candy bucket is filled. Enjoy eating some spiders—spider brownies, that is—and I’d love to hear about your favorite Halloween recipes!
Spider Brownies
Ingredients
- Brownies
- Chocolate hazelnut spread or chocolate frosting
- Brown sprinkles
- Round red candies
- Licorice pieces or pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Using a small cookie cutter or a small glass, cut circle shaped brownies. Spread a little frosting or hazelnut spread over the top of each one.
- Pour a layer of brown sprinkles into a shallow dish. Press a brownie, frosting side down, into the sprinkles to coat the top of the brownie. Continue until all the brownie tops have been coated with sprinkles.
- Make sure you place the brownies on the serving dish at this point, because they are difficult to move once the legs have been attached.
- For the spider eyes, take a round red candy and dab on a little frosting to make one side sticky. Stick it to the top of a brownie. Repeat for the other eye. Place two eyes on each brownie.
- For the legs, if the licorice is thick you'll need to slice it thinner. To attach the legs, use a toothpick to poke a hole in the side of the brownie, then stick the licorice piece into the hole. If it falls out, place a little frosting on the tip of the licorice piece to make it stick.
Also play this math game—made with a pan of brownies!
Vohn
October 16, 2014 at 6:53 pmHehe – love these spiders! They are so fun and their big red eyes are super-scary.
Katie
October 16, 2014 at 6:57 pmMy kids loved them. I can’t wait to see what everyone else does for this event! 🙂
Dini @ giramuks kitchen
October 16, 2014 at 8:37 pmThis is so awesome!!! 🙂 Im still trying to get some inspiration for this! :p admittedly cutting it abit too close, but hopefully this weekend.
So jealous you got to try out a DSLR! I love my point and shoot but can’t wait to have the flexibility of a DSLR!
Katie
October 16, 2014 at 8:50 pmI’m still in awe of your Batman cake and your Simpsons cake pops!
I love how, with the DSLR, the colors pop so much more, and the depth of field is much greater. Someday after my big break on Oprah, it’s the first thing on my shopping list. 🙂
CakeSpy
October 18, 2014 at 4:44 pmThese are so clever and cute!! I definitely consider myself more baker than decorator so I love tutorials/recipes like this that have the cute factor but are accessible. 🙂
Katie
October 18, 2014 at 6:35 pmThanks! Sometimes it seems like everyone but me can decorate. 🙂 Nice to know that there are others more baker than decorator!
Alli Smith
October 31, 2016 at 9:46 amYour spider brownies are too cute and I love that they are easy to make. I’m always looking for all the shortcuts I can find this time of year. Adorable!
Karen Clough
October 31, 2016 at 10:02 amThis is ace! So creative and such a simple idea. I’ll have to give them a try 🙂
Paula Schuck
October 31, 2016 at 11:02 amThose look so great! I love themed treats like this, especially during Halloween. The legs are a nice touch!
Jenn @ EngineerMommy
October 31, 2016 at 12:10 pmThis is such a fun treat for Halloween. My kids would love this snack. Maybe I’ll make it for them today!
Vera Sweeney
October 31, 2016 at 1:46 pmThese are such cute brownies!!! I know my kids would love these for a Halloween treat, I love how easy they sound to make.
Amanda @bephoenixfit
October 31, 2016 at 3:20 pmThese are pretty creepy but really cool! My kids would love them. I like the idea of pretzel sticks for legs instead of licorice.
Jacqui @FlightsFancyMom
October 31, 2016 at 3:40 pmLove these! I’m not a spider fan, but, who can resist brownies! Great for a kids halloween party :).
Pam Wattenbarger
October 31, 2016 at 3:42 pmThese are such a cute treat for the Halloween season. What kid would not like a spooky snack like this one?
Sarah
October 31, 2016 at 4:20 pmThese spider brownies are super cute. I will have to try to make them for sure. Loving the idea of a Halloween themed snack.
Bella
October 31, 2016 at 9:38 pmThese are way too cute! I did a lot Halloween baking this year and had a blast while I was at it.
Dawn McAlexander
November 1, 2016 at 9:49 amThose spiders have been biting me for years. Now it’s time I finally get to bite them back! And they look super tasty.
Jeanine
November 1, 2016 at 10:31 amSuper cute and creative! They also look really delicious. My kids would have really loved these for Halloween, or any time actually! So fun.
ricci
November 1, 2016 at 11:37 amThese brownies are adorable!! I would have loved to have them for Halloween!! Great recipe!!
Chubskulit Rose
November 1, 2016 at 9:12 pmHow creative those brownies are. Kids will definitely enjoy every bite of that! I’d love to have a piece myself.
Bonnie @wemake7
November 1, 2016 at 9:17 pmThose are really cute brownies. I really should have made these yesterday. I’ll definitely make them next time.
Dana
November 1, 2016 at 9:26 pmThese brownies are so darn cute! My little guys would love them! Anything chocolate is loved in this house!
rika
November 2, 2016 at 1:50 amLove these cute spiders.. Cute Halloween dessert, kids will love this
Jennifer B.
November 5, 2016 at 9:41 pmDear Katie, I loved this spider brownie recipe, my daughter was with me when I was reading your blog and she liked it too, so we both will give it a try. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great job here!
Anosa
November 6, 2016 at 1:40 pmI am loving these spider brownies they are so cute and they look like they are so delicious.