Perfect Black Cat Brownies: Easy Halloween Treat Recipe
These adorable black cat brownies with Oreo ears are a fun and easy Halloween treat made with a boxed brownie mix, Oreos, candy eyes, and peanut butter chips. They require minimal effort and no special equipment, perfect for baking with kids or for a last-minute party dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-28 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (including cooling)
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (18 oz) brownie mix
- Eggs, oil, and water (as per box directions, typically 2 eggs, 1/3 cup oil, 1/4 cup water)
- 24 Oreo cookies (12 for ears, 12 for bodies)
- 48 candy eyes
- 24 peanut butter chips or candy corn (for noses)
- Black gel food coloring (optional, for whiskers/mouth)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on long sides.
- Prepare brownie batter according to box directions. Stir until just combined; do not overmix.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Tap pan gently to release air bubbles.
- Bake for 10 minutes (surface should be set but center still jiggly).
- While brownies bake, prepare Oreos: twist 12 Oreos apart, scrape cream from one side, and cut each in half with a sharp knife.
- Remove pan from oven. Place 12 whole Oreos (bodies) in a 4×3 grid, pressing gently into batter until flush.
- Add ears: place one halved Oreo on each side of each whole Oreo, cut side inward, rounded edge outward. Press gently.
- Add eyes: place two candy eyes on each whole Oreo, slightly above center. Press lightly.
- Add nose: place one peanut butter chip or candy corn (pointy-side down) just below eyes.
- Return pan to oven and bake 15-18 minutes more, until a toothpick inserted into brownie (not Oreo) comes out with moist crumbs. Total bake time: 25-28 minutes.
- Cool completely in pan on a wire rack (about 1.5 hours).
- Lift brownies out using parchment overhang. Cut between cat faces with a sharp knife, wiping blade clean between cuts.
Notes
Do not skip the 10-minute blind bake; it prevents Oreos and eyes from sinking. Use regular Oreos (not Double Stuf) for easier cutting. Let brownies cool completely before cutting to avoid crumbling. For cleaner cuts, chill brownies in fridge for 30 minutes after cooling. Brownies taste even better the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 335
- Sugar: 32
- Sodium: 200
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Halloween brownies, black cat brownies, Oreo brownies, easy Halloween dessert, kid-friendly Halloween treat