Description
These festive bars combine fudgy brownies with adorable ghost-shaped sugar cookies on top, making them a perfect treat for Halloween parties or family baking traditions. Easy to make and fun to decorate, they’re a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (brownie layer)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (brownie layer)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature (brownie layer)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (brownie layer)
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (brownie layer)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (brownie layer)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (brownie layer)
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder (brownie layer)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (sugar cookie ghosts)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (sugar cookie ghosts)
- 1 large egg (sugar cookie ghosts)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (sugar cookie ghosts)
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (sugar cookie ghosts)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (sugar cookie ghosts)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (sugar cookie ghosts)
- White royal icing or store-bought white icing (for ghost shapes)
- Mini chocolate chips or black gel icing (for ghost faces)
- Optional colored sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, whisking until just combined.
- In a separate bowl, sift together cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Mix until no streaks remain, but don’t overmix.
- Pour brownie batter into prepared pan and smooth evenly with a spatula. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add egg and vanilla, mixing until combined.
- Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix just until dough forms.
- Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out ghost shapes using a cookie cutter or template. If dough gets sticky, chill again for 5 minutes.
- Arrange ghost cookies evenly on top of brownie batter, pressing gently.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until brownies are set and cookies are just golden at the edges. Rotate pan halfway through baking if needed.
- Let bars cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Pipe white icing to fill in ghost shapes. Let icing set for 5-10 minutes.
- Add mini chocolate chips or black gel for eyes and mouths. Decorate with sprinkles if desired.
- Lift bars from pan using parchment paper. Cut into squares, ensuring each piece has a ghost on top.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Chill the sugar cookie dough for crisp ghost shapes. Use room temperature eggs and butter for best mixing. Decorate with kids for a fun activity. For gluten-free or dairy-free, substitute flour and butter as needed. Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: Halloween, ghost bars, sugar cookie brownies, festive dessert, kid-friendly, party treat, easy baking, chocolate, holiday recipe