Written by Sarah Miller
Brownie Spiders have totally saved my butt during last-minute Halloween party prep more times than I can count. You know that feeling when you promised to bring a dessert, but you spaced out because life got in the way? Happened to me last year, right before my niece’s spooky bash. But thanks to these adorable (and just a tad creepy) treats, I pulled it off—and the kids went wild for them! Seriously, if you can bake brownies and slap on some candy, you can make these, no pastry diploma needed.
By the way, if you wanna up your brownie game first, check out these perfect matcha brownies in 5 easy steps or learn how to make perfect matcha brownies if you like twisting up flavors. Kids, adults, ghouls—they all love Brownie Spiders.
How to Make Brownie Spiders
Let’s get real—these come together way faster than a complicated layer cake or anything fussy. Start by making your favorite brownie mix. No shame in the box mix game, but if you wanna go homemade, that’s gold too. Once they cool, cut the brownies into squares or, if you’re feeling kinda fancy, use a round cookie cutter for little spider bodies.
Here’s the fun part: grab some candy eyeballs (seriously, the more googly the better) and some pretzel sticks for legs. Stick in the pretzels for legs—three on each side, or four if you feel like giving your spiders a few extra legs for good luck (and crunch).
Use a bit of chocolate frosting or melted chocolate for glue. Plop two candy eyeballs on with a dab of icing, and boom. Brownie Spiders are born. This is basically art class, but you get dessert at the end.
Getting kids to help? Brace yourself for chaos, but in a good way. They’ll break pretzel legs, slobber on candy eyes, maybe sneak too many legs—so what? It all adds to the laughter. And honestly, the “oops” ones are usually the first to get eaten.
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Cool Before Cutting | Always let brownies cool before cutting to prevent crumbling and mess. |
| Poke Holes for Legs | Use a chopstick to create holes if brownies are too fudgy, making it easier to insert pretzel legs. |
| Experiment with Toppings | Try using black licorice for legs or pop a mini Reese’s on top for added flavor. |
| Storage Tips | Store in an airtight container, adding parchment between layers to keep legs intact. |
Expert Tips
Here’s where my hard-won wisdom comes in. Don’t cut the brownies while they’re hot or you’ll end up with a chocolatey train wreck—been there, it’s messy. Let them cool all the way so you get clean cuts and the spiders hold together. Also, don’t overpack the brownie pan. Thicker brownies mean chunkier spider bodies, but too thick? The pretzel legs fall right out. Go for about a one-inch thickness.
Use the end of a chopstick or a straw to poke little holes for the legs if the brownies are super fudgy—otherwise, you risk snapping the pretzels.
Bonus: drizzle some white chocolate in a messy zig-zag over the top and you’ll have a spider web effect that hides every “oops” moment. Oh, and double up on candy eyes. It’s Halloween. Go wild.
Variation Ideas for Dessert Spider
Okay, this is where you get to bend the rules (which is the best part of home baking, right?). Swap the classic brownies for blondies and you’ve got some very confused desert spiders—delicious though. Or, do a peanut butter brownie base if you want a salty-sweet hit. Want to sneak a little color in? Drop some sprinkles in the brownie batter before baking, and you’ll have festive flecks when you bite in.
Instead of pretzels, try black licorice ropes cut to size if you like. For a gluten-free crowd, go with a GF brownie mix and gluten-free pretzels—no one will even notice unless you tell them.
Sometimes I even pop a mini Reese’s cup on top for a “double-decker” spider. Not traditional, but nobody complains.
How to Store Brownie Spiders
Okay, so if you actually have leftovers (not likely, if my crew’s around), stash them in an airtight container. Room temp is fine for a day or two. Slide some parchment between the layers so the pretzel legs don’t snap clean off. If it’s crazy hot in your kitchen, pop them in the fridge. Just let them come to room temp before serving to avoid chilled, rock-hard brownies. I had a batch last a good three days—after that, the pretzels start to soften up, but honestly? Still tasty.
More Easy Halloween Treats
Looking for more ideas to fill that dessert table? Try these out:
- Use up extra pretzels in spider cupcakes, just poke those legs right in.
- Monster eyeball bark is basically melted chocolate and candy chaos. Foolproof.
- Candy corn popcorn balls bring out the retro vibes and taste like fall.
- Or check out these perfect matcha brownies in 5 easy steps for a vibrant green “zombie” treat.
Common Questions
What kind of brownies work best for Brownie Spiders?
Fudgy is best because they hold their shape and don’t crumble when you poke in the legs.
Can I make Brownie Spiders ahead of time?
Totally! Just leave off the candy eyes and legs until the day you serve, so nothing gets soggy.
Can I freeze Brownie Spiders?
Yes, but hold off on adding the legs and eyes. Freeze the plain brownies, thaw, then decorate.
Are Brownie Spiders safe for nut allergies?
Check your candy and brownie mix for allergens. There are nut-free versions out there, so just double check. For safe allergen handling, see the USDA Food Allergies guide.
Can I use homemade brownies?
Of course. Homemade always wins, but boxed mix is totally fine for this.
Oh, You’ve Gotta Try These!
Making Brownie Spiders really is the most fun you can have with a pan of brownies and a bag of candy. I’m always amazed how these spooky little treats disappear faster than anything, even when they look a little…weird.
If you want more inspiration, Brownie Spiders That are Spooky Good is a total crowd-pleaser for more ideas, and Spider Web Brownie Bites has a fun twist on the same theme.
Just trust me: this is one Halloween dessert that everyone remembers—because it tastes like pure fudge and looks like you tried harder than you probably did. So, grab your spatula and let the creepy cuteness begin!
Brownie Spiders
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- 1 box brownie mix Homemade or store-bought.
For Decoration
- 12 count candy eyeballs The more googly, the better!
- 24 count pretzel sticks For spider legs. Use three or four on each side.
- 1 tube chocolate frosting For glueing the candy eyes and pretzel legs.
Instructions
Preparation
- Prepare the brownie mix according to package instructions or your favorite homemade recipe.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting.
- Cut brownies into squares or use a round cookie cutter for spider bodies.
Decoration
- Create holes for the legs using a chopstick if the brownies are too fudgy.
- Insert three pretzel sticks on each side of the brownie for each spider.
- Use chocolate icing to secure the pretzels and two candy eyeballs on top.