These Witch Cauldron Brownie Bites are a magical treat that combines rich, fudgy brownies with playful Halloween charm. Each bite is a perfect balance of decadent chocolate and a hint of sweetness, topped with whimsical decorations that make them as fun to look at as they are to eat. With just 45 minutes of prep and 18 minutes of baking, you’ll have a batch of 24 enchanting bites ready to delight your guests.
The soft, chewy texture of the brownies pairs beautifully with the smooth, creamy toppings, creating a dessert that’s both indulgent and irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a spooky gathering or simply treating yourself, these brownie bites are sure to cast a spell on everyone who tries them. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to make, so you can focus on the fun of decorating and sharing these festive delights.
Ingredients for Witch Cauldron Brownie Bites
- Brownie Bites:
- 12 Tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into Tablespoon-sized pieces)
- ½ cup (100 g) semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup (50 g) natural cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon instant coffee grounds (optional, for depth of flavor)
- 1 cup (200 g) tightly packed light or dark brown sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs + 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons (140 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Frosting:
- ½ cup (113 g) salted butter (softened, 1 stick)
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese (softened, brick-style, not spreadable)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups (500 g) powdered sugar
- Food coloring (e.g., Americolor gel “mint green” and “regal purple”)
- Additional Decorations:
- Colored sprinkles
- Candy eyeballs
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 24-count mini muffin tin with baking spray.
- Melt butter and chocolate: In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine butter and chocolate chips. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir well, then microwave in 15-second intervals until fully melted and smooth.
- Add cocoa and coffee: Stir in cocoa powder and instant coffee (if using) until combined.
- Mix in sugars: Add brown sugar and granulated sugar, stirring until well incorporated.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in eggs and egg yolk one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Fill muffin tin: Drop 1 ½ Tablespoons of batter into each prepared mini muffin cup (a cookie dough scoop works well).
- Bake: Bake for 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few fudgy crumbs (not wet batter).
- Create wells: Immediately press a rounded teaspoon or Tablespoon into the center of each brownie bite to create a well. Let cool completely.
- Prepare frosting: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and cream cheese until creamy and lump-free. Add vanilla extract and mix well. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low speed until smooth.
- Color frosting: Divide frosting into separate bowls if using multiple colors. Add gel food coloring until desired shade is achieved (start with a small amount and add more as needed).
- Decorate: Spoon or pipe frosting into the cooled brownie wells. Top with colored sprinkles and candy eyeballs. Serve and enjoy!
Spooky Serving Suggestions
Make your Witch Cauldron Brownie Bites the star of your Halloween party by arranging them on a black platter with dry ice for a smoky cauldron effect. Add some gummy worms or spider-shaped candies around the plate for extra creepy flair. These bites are perfect for dessert tables or as a fun, themed treat for kids and adults alike!
Frosting Fun and Variations
Get creative with your frosting colors! Try using orange and black for a classic Halloween vibe or mix in some edible glitter for a magical sparkle. If you’re short on time, you can skip the homemade frosting and use store-bought vanilla frosting, tinting it with gel food coloring for the same colorful effect. For a nutty twist, add a dollop of peanut butter to the frosting before piping!
Storage and Freshness Tips
Store your brownie bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. If you want to prepare them ahead of time, bake the brownies and store them unfrosted, then add the frosting and decorations just before serving. For longer storage, freeze the unfrosted brownies in a single layer and thaw them overnight in the fridge before decorating.
Time-Saving Tricks for Busy Witches
Short on time? Use a store-bought brownie mix and bake it in the mini muffin tin—just be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly. You can also prep the frosting a day ahead and store it in the fridge, letting it come to room temperature before piping. For quicker decorating, use pre-colored frosting or skip the food coloring altogether and focus on the fun sprinkles and candy eyeballs!
Essential Equipment for Perfect Bites
A mini muffin tin is key for achieving the perfect bite-sized brownies. If you don’t have one, you can use a regular muffin tin, but adjust the baking time slightly. A cookie dough scoop makes portioning the batter a breeze, and a piping bag will give your frosting a polished, professional look. Don’t forget a toothpick for testing doneness—fudgy crumbs are what you’re aiming for!
Witch Cauldron Brownie Bites (with Video!)
Ingredients
- 12 Tablespoons unsalted butter cut into Tablespoon-sized pieces
- ½ cup (100 g) semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup (50 g) natural cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon instant coffee grounds optional
- 1 cup (200 g) tightly packed light or dark brown sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs + 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons (140 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Frosting
- ½ cup (113 g) 1 stick salted butter, softened
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese softened brick-style, not spreadable
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cup (500 g) powdered sugar
- Food coloring — I used Americolor gel “mint green”*** and “regal purple”
Additional Decorations
- colored sprinkles
- candy eyeballs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F and spray a 24-count mini muffin tin with baking spray*
- Combine butter and chocolate chips in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir well, microwave for another 15 seconds and then stir well again. Repeat for 15 seconds until chocolate and butter are completely melted and well-combined.
- Stir in cocoa powder and instant coffee (if using).
- Add sugars and stir again until combined.
- Add eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until well-combined.
- Drop batter by 1 ½ Tablespoon into prepared mini muffin tin (I like to use a cookie dough scoop to do this).
- Transfer to 350F (175C) oven and bake for 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few fudgy crumbs (not wet batter!).
- Immediately take a rounded teaspoon or Tablespoon and press into each brownie bite to make a well (see photo in post for example).
- Allow brownies to cool completely before filling with frosting and decorating.
- While your brownie bites are cooling, prepare your frosting.
- Combine butter and cream cheese in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until creamy, well-combined, and lump-free.
- Add vanilla extract and stir well to combine.
- With mixer on low-speed, gradually add powdered sugar until completely combined.
- If using just one color of frosting add it to your bowl until desired color intensity is reached (a little goes a long way with gel colorings! Start with less and add more as needed!). If using two colors, divide the frosting in half and mix the different colors in different bowls. Be sure to stir well so there are no streaks.
- Spoon or pipe frosting into completely cooled brownie bites and decorate using sprinkles. Serve and enjoy!