• Prep 25 Min
  • Total 1 Hr 45 Min
  • ervings24
    Delight the little ghosts and goblins in your life with these easy Halloween Peanut Butter Brookie Bars. Bite through a soft peanut butter cookie layer–loaded with all your favorite candies–into the smooth, indulgent, fudgy brownie layer below.
    by Josh Lehenbauer

    Ingredients

    Make With
    Betty Crocker Cookie Mix

    Steps

    • 1
      Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13×9-inch pan with cooking spray or line with aluminum foil, making sure it covers the sides of the pan as well.
    • 2
      In a large bowl, mix the fudge brownie mix, oil, water, and egg with a whisk until smooth. Pour into your prepared pan and spread into an even layer with a spatula.
    • 3
      In a separate large bowl, mix cookie mix, oil, water and egg with spoon until soft dough forms. Stir in 1/2 cup of the REESE’S PIECES peanut butter candy and 3/4 cup peanut butter chips.
    • 4
      Working in batches, grab large handfuls of the peanut butter cookie dough mix, flatten them in the palm of your hands (as best you can), and gently place overtop the brownie batter in the pan. Repeat until the brownie batter is completely or mostly covered; it doesn’t have to be perfect. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup REESE’S™ PIECES™ peanut butter candy.
    • 5
      Bake 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean when poked in a few spots, and the peanut butter cookie layer is light golden brown. Immediately place candy eyeballs randomly over top; press slightly into dough. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1 hour. Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store in airtight container.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When should I add the candy eyeballs to this recipe?

    You can add the candy eyeballs before or immediately after baking. If you add them after, make sure to do it right away while the dough is somewhat soft and hasn’t set yet (just be careful as it will be hot).

    Any tips to avoid overbaking this recipe?

    Keep an eye on these at the 25 minute mark when baking, checking every 5 minutes with a toothpick so you don’t accidentally overbake them! With the added brownie layer and everyone’s oven being slightly different, these may take longer to bake than you think.

    How can I test if my brownies are done?

    A toothpick doesn’t have to come out completely clean for your brownies to be considered “done.” You don’t want it to be wet when you pull it out or fully dry and clean–a sign of overbaking. A few moist crumbs attached to the toothpick when pulled out mean it’s perfect.