Get into the Halloween spirit with these spiderweb brownies. They are a black velvet brownie topped with a marshmallow topping that is spun to look like a spider’s web. The perfect combination of chocolate and marshmallow in a bite-size treat that kids love.
About Spider Web Brownies
Everybody loves a chocolate brownie, so for Halloween this year turn the brownies into a fun treat. Kids love helping to turn melted marshmallows into a spiral pattern that lays on top of the brownies to make spooky spiderweb brownies.
You won’t believe how easy it is to make homemade brownies, but you can also use your favorite boxed brownie mix if you prefer. These easy spiderweb brownies are perfect for kids to bring to school for a Halloween party.
Ingredients for Halloween Brownies
The key ingredient for making these spiderweb brownies is black cocoa powder. You can use a regular cocoa powder if you want, but to get a deep black color for the brownies you need to use black cocoa. The black color helps give the brownies a Halloween vibe, and the dark color contrasts better with the white marshmallow topping. You can add a little black food coloring if you use regular cocoa powder and need to make the batter darker.
This recipe uses melted chocolate to make fudgy brownies that are rich in chocolate flavor. I like to use semisweet chocolate chips, but you can use a mix of chocolates. Just remember that if you go with milk chocolate chips, their color is lighter than other chocolate so it may lighten the color of the batter. Dark chocolate chips will help keep the batter as black as possible. And if you don’t have chocolate chips on hand, you can use your favorite chocolate bar for the recipe. Just chop it into small pieces so that it will melt more easily when the butter is poured over it.
Variations for Making Brownies
This recipe uses melted marshmallows that are stretched into the shape of spider webs. Making the marshmallow webs is a fun technique to create the spider web effect. However, there are other options if you don’t like marshmallows. Or if you just want other variations for making Halloween brownies.
One easy way is to use melted white chocolate to top the brownies. Use a small bowl to melt white chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir, and then continue in 15 second intervals until chocolate is melted. Transfer the melted chocolate to a piping bag, or plastic baggie. Cut a small hole in the corner of the bag and then pour the chocolate over the brownies. Remember you’re making a web, so just draw lines in different directions to make a messy web design. It’s really a lot of fun, and kids love splattering the brownies with chocolate like it’s paint. You can also use white icing instead of white chocolate if you prefer.
Another way to create spiderweb brownies is to use vanilla frosting on top of the brownies. Then you can use a simple frosting decoration to draw the web. Use black icing to draw concentric circles on top of the vanilla frosting. Then use a wooden pick to draw lines through the icing to get the web effect.
And of course, the easiest way to create spider brownies is to add edible spiders on top. Whether you create a spiderweb design on top or not, adding some creepy spiders on top really adds the finishing touch to these brownies. I personally like chocolate spiders because I think everything is better with chocolate, but my daughter loves gummy spiders.
Black Velvet Spiderweb Brownies
Equipment
- 9×9 Square Baking Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- ½ cup unsalted butter browned
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup black cocoa powder
- ½ cup all purpose flour
Marshmallow Web
- 5 ounces marshmallows melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Add chocolate chips to a large bowl.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter until it's brown and nutty. Then pour it into the bowl with the chocolate chips.
- Let sit for a minute and then stir the butter and chocolate together until the chocolate chips melt completely.
- Add the salt, white and brown sugars. Whisk until combined.
- Add the vanilla and eggs and whisk again until smooth.
- Add the black cocoa powder and flour and fold the dry ingredients into the batter until combined and a thick batter is formed.
- Transfer this batter to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Bake brownies in the oven for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the brownies cool completely.
- Remove from the baking dish.
- Melt the marshmallows in a bowl in the microwave.
- Once cool enough to touch, grab some of the marshmallow and pull apart between your fingers to make a webbing.
- Drape over the brownies to create webs on top. Repeat with more marshmallow until your desired look is achieved.
- Cut brownies into squares.
Notes
- If you don’t have parchment paper, spray the baking pan with cooking spray to prevent batter from sticking to the bottom and sides of the pan.
Store these spiderweb brownies in an airtight container and they will be good for 2-3 days, but I think they’re best if eaten within a day. When you’re in a Halloween mood and need a spooky, but tasty treat, give this recipe a try. An easy brownie to make for your next Halloween party.
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