Hocus Pocus Spell Book Brownies
Growing up, Hocus Pocus was my comfort movie the entire month of October. Now, at 25 years old, I can confirm that nothing has changed. Combining one of my favorite movies with my love of baking was bound to happen, and luckily, it happened in the form of these Hocus Pocus Spellbook Brownies. Not only are these brownies so festive, adorable and eye-catching, but they are delicious too! Making them the perfect treat to enjoy this Halloween.
While I bake on a daily basis, I am not one to knock boxed brownies. Of course, for this recipe, you can use whatever kind of brownies you’d like, whether they be homemade or boxed – totally up to you! Regardless, you will have so much fun decorating these Spellbook Brownies. Let’s dive right into these spooky recipes, “boooooooooook!”
How to Make Hocus Pocus Spellbook Brownies
Prepare the Brownies:
Bake the brownies according to the directions below. These brownies are super easy to make and taste INCREDIBLE! Seriously, my all-time favorite brownie recipe, I promise!
Allow the brownies to cool for about 15 minutes after baking, keeping them in the pan.
Make the Ganache:
Pour the chocolate chips into a heatproof bowl.
Heat the heavy cream in the microwave in 30-second intervals until it begins to bubble.
Pour the hot heavy cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for one minute.
Stir the ganache until both ingredients are fully combined.
Assemble the Brownies:
Pour the ganache over the brownies in the pan.
Let the ganache set in the fridge for 1 hour.
After the brownies have chilled and the ganache has thickened, remove the brownies from the pan and slice them into even rectangles.
Decorate:
Mix together the confectioner’s sugar and water 1 teaspoon at a time until the icing becomes easier to mix. Ensure the icing is thick enough to hold its shape.
Add the black food gel and transfer the icing to a piping bag.
Decorate each brownie with a candy eye and pipe nice, thin lines with stitches throughout to bring the spellbook to life. Get creative with additional details using an edible marker if desired.
Tips for Making Homemade Fudge Brownies
Follow Instructions Closely: Follow the instructions on the box precisely for the best results.
Use High-Quality Ingredients: Opt for high-quality butter and eggs for a richer flavor.
Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing can lead to tough brownies. Mix until just combined.
Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick to check for doneness. It should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.
How to Make Ganache for Hocus Pocus Spellbook Brownies
Heat the Cream: Heat the heavy cream until it just begins to bubble. Avoid boiling.
Combine with Chocolate: Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for a minute before stirring until smooth.
Set: Allow the ganache to set in the fridge for a glossy, thick layer.
How to Remove Air Bubbles from Ganache
Stir Gently: Stir the ganache gently to avoid incorporating air bubbles.
Tap the Bowl: Tap the bowl on the counter to bring any air bubbles to the surface.
Strain the Ganache: Use a fine mesh strainer to remove any bubbles before pouring over the brownies.
Tips for Piping Neat Lines
Consistent Icing: Ensure the icing is consistent. Too thin, and it will run; too thick, and it will be difficult to pipe.
Practice: Practice piping on parchment paper before decorating the brownies. Then you can reuse the icing after so nothing goes to waste and you’re able to get some extra practice in before.
Steady Hand: Keep a steady hand and apply even pressure on the piping bag for consistent lines.
More Recipes Like These Hocus Pocus Spell Book Brownies
Chocolate Caramel Halloween Tart
Halloween Brownies
Snoopy Halloween Designed Sponge Cake
Halloween Snoopy Designed Sponge Cake
Halloween Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
Halloween Pillsbury Cookie Cheesecake Bars
Recipe Alternatives
To make this recipe a bit easier, you can also use canned frosting from the store, then add black food dye instead of making a homemade icing. Regardless, these brownies are going to make for the perfect Halloween treats at any Halloween party!
How To Store Hocus Pocus Spell Book Brownies
Airtight Container: Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Refrigeration: If you prefer, you can refrigerate the brownies. They will last up to a week in the fridge. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the brownies. Wrap each brownie individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Hocus Pocus Spellbook Brownies
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8
servings15
minutes40
minutesKeep the screen of your device on.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 baking powder
2 tsp. espresso powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cups unsalted butter
2 1/2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (divided)
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Chocolate Ganache
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
2-5 tsp. water
black food gel
8 candy eyes
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9″ x 9″ pan with parchment paper with enough hanging over the edges for an easy release later.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, espresso powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a small sauce-pot, add the butter, oil, and 1/2 cup sugar. Place over medium heat and use a whisk to combine as the butter melts. As soon as the butter is fully melted, remove it from the heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs and remaining 1 cup of sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
- Gradually and slowly, stream the melted butter mixture into the bowl of wet ingredients while whisking constantly.
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet and use a silicone spatula to combine. Just before the ingredients are fully combined and there are still a few streaks of dry ingredients, add the chocolate chips and continue to fold until combined. Do not over-mix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan.
- To make the ganache, pour the chocolate chips into a heatproof bowl, then heat the heavy cream in the microwave in 30-second intervals until it begins to bubble. Pour the hot heavy cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for one minute. Stir the ganache until both ingredients are fully combined.
- Pour the ganache over the cooled brownies in the pan. Let the ganache set in the fridge for 1 hour.
- After the brownies have chilled and the ganache has thickened, remove the brownies from the pan. Then slice them into even rectangles.
- To make the black icing for decorating, mix together the confectioner’s sugar and water 1 teaspoon at a time until the icing becomes easier to mix. The thinner the icing, the harder it will be to decorate and have nice, neat lines. Make sure the icing is consistent. If it’s too loose, add more confectioner’s sugar. Add the black food gel. Transfer the icing to a piping bag.
- Decorate each brownie with a candy eye and pipe nice lines with stitches throughout to bring the spellbook to life. I used an edible marker to draw eyelashes on my candy eyes. Get creative and have fun with this step.
- Enjoy!
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