Spooky Layered Oreo Brownies: The Ultimate Halloween Party Dessert
This is it. The dessert that will be the star of every Halloween potluck, costume party, or cozy movie night in. I’m talking about Layered Oreo Halloween Brownies—a decadent treat that combines a deep, fudgy brownie base, a thick layer of tangy, bright orange cream cheese frosting, and a crunchy topping of crushed Oreos. It’s rich, it’s creamy, and it perfectly captures the fun, spooky spirit of the season.
The secret to a great layered dessert is balance. We’re going for a brownie that is moist and chewy, not cakey. The generous layer of homemade-style frosting cuts through the richness of the chocolate, and the Oreo crumbs add an addictive texture contrast. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will become an annual tradition.
Why I Love This Recipe
As a baker, I love a recipe that looks complicated but is surprisingly simple to pull off. These brownies are a prime example. The layering technique is straightforward, and the result is stunning.
- It’s a Showstopper: The contrasting colors—dark chocolate, vibrant orange, and black Oreo crumbs—make this dessert visually pop on any spread.
- The Texture is Everything: You get a triple threat: fudgy, chewy brownie; smooth, creamy frosting; and crunchy cookie pieces.
- It’s Highly Customizable: You can easily swap the frosting color, add extra candies, or change the topping to suit any theme, but it’s absolutely perfect as a Halloween dessert.
- It’s the Best of Both Worlds: Why choose between a brownie and a frosted cookie when you can have both in one perfect square?
Ingredients List
These brownies use simple pantry staples to achieve maximum fudgy flavor.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
| For the Fudgy Brownie | ||
| Unsalted butter, melted | 1 cup (2 sticks) | |
| Granulated sugar | 2 cups | |
| Packed brown sugar | 1 cup | Helps create a chewy texture. |
| Large eggs | 4 | At room temperature is best. |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tbsp | |
| Unsweetened cocoa powder | 1 cup | Use high-quality for best flavor. |
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup | |
| Salt | 21 tsp | |
| Baking powder | 21 tsp | |
| Oreo cookies, crushed | 20 cookies | |
| For the Orange Frosting Layer | ||
| Cream cheese frosting | 121 cups | Store-bought or your favorite homemade recipe. |
| Orange food coloring | A few drops | Use gel food coloring for a vivid color. |
Export to Sheets
Swaps and Notes
- Butter: Salted butter can be used, just omit the 21 teaspoon of added salt.
- Cocoa Powder: For an even richer, darker color that really contrasts with the orange, use Dark Cocoa Powder(sometimes labeled as “Black Cocoa”).
- Oreos: If you can find them, Halloween Oreos have a fun orange filling that adds an extra festive touch! You can also swap Oreos for other chocolate sandwich cookies.
- Frosting: A classic vanilla buttercream can be used instead of cream cheese frosting, but the slight tang of cream cheese balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfectly layered brownies.
1. Prepare the Brownie Base
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 175∘C (350∘F). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the paper to overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and glossy (about 1 minute). This step helps create that signature fudgy crust.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gently stir in the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in Oreos: Fold in half of the crushed Oreos (about 10 cookies worth).
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 30–35 minutes. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out with moist crumbs attached—not wet batter.
- Cool Completely: This is the most important step for clean layers! Allow the brownies to cool completely to room temperature before moving on. I recommend chilling them in the fridge for an hour if you are in a rush.
2. Assemble the Layers
- Tint the Frosting: Place your cream cheese frosting in a medium bowl. Add a few drops of orange food coloring. Start small and add more until you reach the bright, vibrant Halloween orange you desire. Mix until the color is uniform.
- Spread Frosting: Once the brownies are completely cool, use an offset spatula to spread the tinted orange frosting in a thick, even layer over the brownie surface.
- Top and Decorate: Sprinkle the remaining crushed Oreos evenly over the frosting layer. Add any additional spooky decorations like candy eyeballs, gummy worms, or festive sprinkles.
- Chill and Serve: For the cleanest, most beautiful slices, chill the layered brownies in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overbake the Brownies: Overbaking is the enemy of a fudgy brownie. Pull them out when the edges are set and the center is still slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool.
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: Room temperature eggs emulsify better with the sugars and melted butter, leading to a smoother batter and a better texture.
- Crush Your Oreos Properly: I like to place the Oreos in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. This gives you a mix of fine crumbs and satisfying, larger chunks.
- Chilling is Mandatory: I can’t stress this enough—if you try to frost or slice warm brownies, the layers will bleed, and the frosting will melt. Let them cool, then chill for pristine squares.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These rich, sweet brownies pair wonderfully with something tart or refreshing to balance the flavor profile.
- Beverage Pairings:
- A mug of hot cocoa or, for an adult pairing, try a creamy coffee liqueur.
- A tall glass of This Blueberry Lemonade Is My Favorite Refreshing Drink For Sunny Days (even though it’s not a spooky color, the tartness is a perfect contrast).
- For an adult party, a Classic Margarita Recipe Easy And Delicious is a vibrant, contrasting choice.
- Dessert Bar Ideas:
- Serve them alongside other simple seasonal treats like These Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins Are My Favorite Fall Treat To Bake On Repeat or a slice of comforting This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way To Use Up Overripe Bananas.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (Estimate)
Based on 24 servings in a 9×13-inch pan.
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | ≈350 |
| Total Fat | ≈18g |
| Saturated Fat | ≈10g |
| Total Carbs | ≈45g |
| Sugars | ≈35g |
| Protein | ≈3g |
Export to Sheets
Note: This is an estimation and will vary based on exact ingredient brands and portion size.
Storage and Leftover Tips
- Storage: Due to the cream cheese frosting, these brownies must be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the brownies without the frosting and Oreo topping for up to 3 months. Once thawed, then apply the frosting and topping before serving. I don’t recommend freezing the fully layered brownie, as the frosting texture can become grainy.
- Serving Temperature: While the brownies need to be chilled for slicing, I actually prefer eating them at room temperature when the brownie base is softer and the flavors are more pronounced. Just remove them from the fridge 30 minutes before serving.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you enjoyed these fudgy, layered treats, you’ll definitely want to check out some of my other favorite indulgent recipes:
- For the ultimate deep-dish chocolate obsession, try These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs Are My Favorite Sweet Obsession.
- If you’re a fan of thick, rich brownies, you need to make The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made (And I’ve Made A Lot).
- For another no-bake seasonal favorite, look no further than This Pumpkin Delight Dessert Is My Favorite No-Bake Fall Treat.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly satisfying about combining three different textures and flavors into one cohesive, perfect bite. These Layered Oreo Halloween Brownies are exactly that—a fun, festive, and absolutely delicious way to celebrate the season. Bake a batch, watch them disappear, and enjoy the praise!
What spooky-themed goodies are you baking this year? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow @chefmaniac on social media for more holiday baking inspiration!
Leave a Reply