Name: Halloween Brownie Pie with M&M Frosting Swirls Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 refrigerated pie crust; 1 (13×9) box brownie mix; 1 cup Halloween M&M’s, plus extra for garnish; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; ½ teaspoon table salt; 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream; Orange gel food color; Yellow gel food color

If you’re on the hunt for a show-stopping dessert that screams “Halloween party!” then you’ve got to try this Halloween Brownie Pie with M&M Frosting Swirls Recipe. Trust me, once you taste the rich, fudgy brownie base paired with those playful, colorful frosting swirls dotted with Halloween M&M’s, you’ll be hooked. I love this pie because it’s festive, fun, and surprisingly easy to make—plus, it gets everyone talking and sneaking extra slices when they think no one’s watching!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive and Fun: The M&M frosting swirls give this pie an eye-catching Halloween vibe that’s perfect for any celebration.
Rich, Fudgy Texture: The brownie pie base is decadently moist and chocolaty, satisfying every sweet tooth.
Simple Steps: It uses a boxed brownie mix for ease but finishes with homemade frosting swirls that elevate it.
Kid-Approved: I’ve made this for family gatherings, and trust me, my nieces and nephews go wild for it every time.

A round chocolate pie with a shiny, cracked dark brown chocolate filling sits in a clear glass pie dish with a golden brown crust folded neatly on the edges. On top of the pie are nine evenly spaced swirls of bright yellow frosting with orange highlights, each topped with a small white dollop of cream and a single dark brown chocolate candy with a white

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together to create that perfect balance between a classic brownie and a creative pie. I always use fresh M&M’s for that pop of crunch and color, but you’ll find some great alternatives too!

Refrigerated pie crust: Starting with a ready-made crust keeps things easy and flaky.
Brownie mix: Using a box mix saves time but feel free to use your favorite homemade recipe.
Halloween M&M’s: These are the star of the show for decoration and surprise bursts of sweetness inside.
Unsalted butter: Soften it well for smooth frosting.
Table salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the frosting.
Powdered sugar: Essential for that silky, sweet frosting consistency.
Heavy whipping cream: Helps make the frosting lush and pipeable.
Orange and yellow gel food color: These bring the perfect Halloween palette to the frosting swirls.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with this Halloween Brownie Pie with M&M Frosting Swirls Recipe, and you’ll find it’s really forgiving when you switch things up. Feel free to make it your own — cooking should be fun, right?

Homemade Brownie Base: I tried making this with my favorite homemade double chocolate brownies, and the intense chocolate flavor really takes it next level.
Candy Mix-Ins: Besides Halloween M&M’s, I’ve tossed in mini peanut butter cups, Reese’s Pieces, and even chopped Junior Mints with great results.
Frosting Colors: For a twist, try purple and black gel colors to give it a spookier vibe.
Dairy-Free Version: Use vegan butter and a dairy-free frosting alternative to accommodate dietary needs.

How to Make Halloween Brownie Pie with M&M Frosting Swirls Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Pie Crust and Brownie Mix

First, unroll your refrigerated pie crust and press it gently into a 9½ inch deep dish pie plate. Crimp those edges so it holds the brownie filling like a champ. Pop it in the fridge while you prep the brownie batter—it keeps the crust firm and ready for baking. Now, mix up your brownie mix according to the box instructions, then fold in the 1 cup of Halloween M&M’s by hand. This is where the magic starts—those M&Ms add fun surprise bites throughout.

Step 2: Bake the Brownie Pie

Pour that brownie batter into your chilled pie crust and cover the edges of the crust with foil or a crust shield—this prevents burning while the brownie fills out. Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it—this ensures it’s fudgy without being gooey. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. I know, waiting is the hardest part, but trust me, it’s worth it!

Step 3: Whip Up the M&M Frosting Swirls

While your pie cools, get started on the frosting. Beat softened butter, salt, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Then gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with heavy cream, until your frosting is light and fluffy. Divide your frosting into three portions: keep a quarter cup white, tint half a cup orange, and the remaining frosting yellow using gel food coloring. Using piping bags fitted with different icing tips—like 1M for the yellow swirls, 32 for the orange, and 21 for white—you’ll pipe beautiful swirls all around the edge of the pie. Top each swirl with a brown M&M for that finishing touch that really wows.

Step 4: Slice and Serve

Here’s a trick I learned: to cut clean slices without the frosting smearing, dip your knife in hot water, dry it thoroughly, then slice slowly. Your slices will come out perfect every time, looking as good as they taste!

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Pro Tips for Making Halloween Brownie Pie with M&M Frosting Swirls Recipe

Keep the Pie Cool Before Frosting: I once piped frosting on a warm brownie pie and ended up with a colorful, gooey mess—waiting really makes a difference.
Use Three Piping Bags: Separating your frosting colors into three bags with different tips saves time and gives you more control when creating swirls.
Shield Those Crust Edges: Covering the crust edges with foil prevents over-browning, a mistake I learned the hard way after a few too many dark edges!
Cut Slices Cleanly: Dipping your knife in hot water between cuts is a game-changer for neat slices that look professional.

How to Serve Halloween Brownie Pie with M&M Frosting Swirls Recipe

A slice of rich dark chocolate pie with a cracked top layer sits on a white plate on a white marbled surface. The pie has a light brown crust at the bottom, holding a thick, moist, and dense chocolate filling. On top, there are two swirled dollops of frosting, each with a base layer of bright yellow, a middle layer of orange, and a small white swirl on top, each crowned with a small round chocolate candy. A silver fork rests beside the slice on the plate. In the background, the rest of the pie is visible with similar frosting dollops, along with a glass bottle of milk and a small white bowl of red and orange berries. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I typically keep the garnishes simple to let the frosting swirls and M&M’s shine. A few extra Halloween-themed candies or edible glitter scattered lightly on top adds a subtle festive sparkle that guests adore.

Side Dishes

This pie pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the rich chocolate. For drinks, a spicy hot cocoa or a pumpkin spice latte really complete the Halloween vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

For a themed party, I’ve served this pie on black plates with orange napkins and placed plastic spiders and Halloween confetti around the serving tray—it instantly ups the fun factor. You can also pipe the frosting swirls in fun shapes like little pumpkins or ghosts if you’re feeling crafty!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once decorated, this pie stays best stored in the refrigerator, covered loosely with plastic wrap or a pie dome to keep the frosting from drying out. I usually bring leftovers out about 20 minutes before serving so the frosting softens up.

Freezing

Freezing the whole brownie pie with frosting isn’t ideal since the swirls can lose their shape. However, you can freeze the plain baked brownie pie (without frosting) wrapped tightly in foil and plastic wrap for up to 3 months—and frost after thawing.

Reheating

If you want warm brownie pie, reheat a slice gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before adding fresh frosting or a scoop of ice cream. This way, the texture stays just right without melting the decorative swirls.

FAQs

Can I make the Halloween Brownie Pie with M&M Frosting Swirls Recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Just swap the butter for a vegan alternative and use a dairy-free heavy cream substitute such as coconut cream. Make sure your frosting sugar and food coloring are also vegan-friendly to keep the recipe dairy-free.
What if I don’t have Halloween M&M’s? Can I use regular M&M’s?

Yes, regular M&M’s work perfectly fine. The Halloween-themed ones add a festive touch, but the classic candy-coated chocolates bring the same crunch and sweetness.
How do I keep the pie crust from getting soggy?

Chilling the pie crust before filling helps, and baking with the foil shield on the edges prevents overbrowning. Also, letting the brownie pie cool completely before applying the frosting means moisture won’t steam and sog the crust.
Can I prepare this pie ahead of time?

You can bake the brownie pie a day ahead and keep it refrigerated without frosting. Then pipe the frosting swirls on the day of serving to ensure they stay fresh and vibrant.

Final Thoughts

This Halloween Brownie Pie with M&M Frosting Swirls Recipe holds a special place in my heart every fall—it’s my go-to treat when I want easy, festive, and downright delicious dessert magic. I hope you find as much joy making and sharing it as I do, especially when you see all the smiles (and sneaky second helpings!). So grab your pie crust, your favorite Halloween candies, and let’s bake up some fun!