For something creepy & sweet, these fun Gummy Worm Dirt Brownies are the best. They are the perfect gooey, chewy, & crunchy chocolate dessert for Halloween.
Why this Halloween Dirt Brownie Recipe is Amazing: Transform your favorite boxed brownie mix into a silly and scary dessert loaded with crushed Oreos, frosting, & a bright colorful gummy worm.
This is the best way to enjoy a fun Halloween "Dirt" Dessert that isn't just another cake or cupcake. Our house isn't full of cake lovers, I mean we didn't even have cake at our wedding - so this is how we roll.
This was inspired by my recipe for Red Velvet Brownies from Cake Mix which is another holiday brownie favorite. And if you are an Oreo lover, serve this with a scoop of Oreo Cookies & Cream Ice Cream. Ok, now we bake!
Jump to:
Ingredients
Here is all you need to make this quick & easy recipe. It starts with a box of brownie mix or you can make it from scratch. I like to use a boxed mix with chocolate chips or chunks - I tell the kids they are "chocolate rocks" under the dirt.
Here are the ingredients needed to make this recipe:
- Brownie Mix - any boxed brand such as Ghiradelli, Betty Crocker, or Duncan Hines - chocolate chip preferred.
- Brownie Mix Ingredients - per your box; eggs, oil, & water typically.
- Chocolate Frosting - any brand premade tub of spreadable icing such as Duncan Hines, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, etc
- Oreo Cookies - crushed sandwich cookies.
- Gummy Worms - Trolli sour bright crawlers are our favorite to balance sweet with sour; but regular gummy worms also work.
See the recipe card for quantities & substitutions/variations.
How to Make Halloween Dirt Brownies
All you need is 5 minutes prep to get this dessert in the oven. Now how simple is that?
Here are the easy steps for making Dirt Brownies from a Boxed Mix:
- Mix the Brownies
- Bake & Cool the Brownies
- Frost & Decorate
See the step-by-step instructions with photos below plus the recipe card at the end of the post.
1 - Mix the Brownies
Gather the ingredients that your brownie box mix asks for. This is typically eggs, water, & oil. I am using Ghirardelli Double Chocolate with Chocolate Chips.
In a mixing bowl add the brownie mix & ingredients. My box needs vegetable oil, 2 eggs, and water.
Stir to combine. Do not over mix, just stir until there are no streaks of dry ingredients.
2 - Bake & Cool the Brownies
Preheat the oven per the instructions on the box. This is usually 325° or 350°F.
Prep a square 8x8 pan with parchment paper. Even though I have a nonstick brownie pan, the parchment ensures zero sticking & makes them easy to lift out.
TIP: use binder clips to hold it in place.
Add the batter to the prepared pan. Spread in an even layer getting it in the corners. (remove binder clips if using)
While it is baking, crush the Oreos by placing them in a food processor or in a Ziploc bag & use a rolling pin or meat mallet to pulverize.
Bake according to the box instructions.
When it is done & a bit gooey still in the center, remove from the oven to cool for 30 minutes. Lift the brownies out of the pan by the parchment paper & let cool on a cutting board for another 30 minutes minimum.
3 - Frost & Decorate
The brownies need to be completely cool before frosting. I recommend an hour minimum at room temperature or 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Add a thin layer of frosting over the brownies.
Sprinkle on the crushed sandwich cookies to cover the frosting.
Evenly space out 12 gummy worms as seen above. (for large brownies do only 9)
Serving Suggestions
Cut the brownies into 12 pieces (or 9 large) so each one has a gummy worm crawler. Enjoy while fresh & moist.
These are great for costume parties, potlucks, bake sales, & garden themed parties. They can be made ahead of time & travel well. Store covered for 3 days in a cool dry place or in the refrigerator for 5 days; but they won't last that long!
Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes
Here is my recipe for success - including what I learned when testing, funny stories or bloopers, and more.
- #1 Tip - do not try and frost warm brownies, must be cool!
- Get the kids involved to have fun; they can help crush the cookies, learn how to spread frosting, & add the worms.
- Make sure to have EXTRA gummy worms, they seem to magically disappear when my kids & husband are nearby?!?
- You can make your own brownie recipe from scratch and/or the chocolate frosting too instead of using ready made.
- did you random fact & outbound link
- They are aesthetically ghoulish & fancy with a neon candy & the crumbly soil-like topping.
- Add other toppings like edible eyes, candy bats & skulls, or gummy bones.
Gummy Worm Dirt Brownies
Equipment
- 8x8 square pan
- meat mallet
Ingredients
- 1 box Chocolate Chip Brownie Mix
- ingredients per the box; 2 eggs, water, & oil typically
- ½ tub Chocolate Frosting
- 12 each Oreo Sandwich Cookies crushed
- 12 Gummy Worms
Instructions
- Preheat the oven according to the boxed brownie instructions. In a mixing bowl make the brownies per your boxed mix. Add the dry mix, eggs, oil, water, etc.1 box Chocolate Chip Brownie Mix, ingredients per the box; 2 eggs, water, & oil typically
- Line an 8x8 square pan with parchment paper. Pour in the mixed batter.
- Bake in the oven per the time & temperature on the brownie box mix. Mine was at 325°F for 35 minutes (we like ours a bit gooey and under cooked in the middle)
- While it is baking, crush the Oreos by placing them in a food processor or in a Ziploc bag & use a rolling pin or meat mallet to pulverize.
- Once the brownies are cooked, remove the pan from the oven carefully. Let the brownies cool for 30 minutes in the pan.
- Lift the brownies out of the pan by grabbing the edges of the parchment paper. Remove them from the parchment paper slowly and place the brownie on a cutting board.
- Let the brownies cool an additional 30 minutes. This is important so the frosting do not melt & the brownies do not crumble as you frost it.
- Once completely cool, frost the brownies using ½ the tub of chocolate frosting. You only need a thin layer so the crumbs stick to the brownies.½ tub Chocolate Frosting
- Sprinkle on the Oreo cookie crumbs to cover the frosting.12 each Oreo Sandwich Cookies
- Top with 12 sour or sweet gummy worms, evenly spaced so that once cut each piece gets 1 worm on top.12 Gummy Worms
- Cut into 12 squares & serve.
Notes
- Cover & store leftovers in a cool dry place for up to 2 days. Anything longer, store in the refrigerator.
- Make sure the brownies are cool & the frosting is at room temperature. This will allow the frosting to spread easily without tearing or breaking the brownies.
- Use a gluten-free brownie mix & Oreos if needed.
- If too sweet for you, substitute defrosted Cool Whip for the frosting. Store in the refrigerator at all times.
Nutrition
More Holiday Recipes with Oreos
Here are some similar recipes:
Leave a Reply