If you’re looking for a fun, festive treat that’s perfect for fall gatherings, you’ve got to try my Pumpkin Patch Brownies Recipe. I absolutely love how this recipe combines rich, fudgy brownies with a cute pumpkin patch design that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll be your go-to dessert for every autumn party or kid’s get-together!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses a boxed brownie mix with just a few fun add-ons, so you’re guaranteed success without stress.
- Festive Presentation: The candy pumpkins and green frosting vines turn simple brownies into a charming pumpkin patch that’s perfect for fall.
- Kid-Friendly: Little helpers will love helping decorate, and everyone enjoys a bite-sized treat that’s both delicious and adorable.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: While it’s perfect for Halloween or Thanksgiving, you can enjoy these pumpkin patch brownies anytime you want a fun, seasonal dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Pumpkin Patch Brownies Recipe strike a great balance between convenience and flavor. Using a boxed brownie mix keeps things simple, and the added crushed Oreos and pumpkin vine decorations take it to the next level. The green gel food coloring is key to getting those bright, festive vines on top.
- Betty Crocker™ Delights Supreme Original Brownie Mix: The foundation of these brownies—super moist and fudgy with minimal effort.
- Water, vegetable oil and egg: Standard mix-ins from the brownie box, making prep quick and easy.
- Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy Vanilla Frosting: This frosting acts as the “soil” of the pumpkin patch and a base for your decorations.
- Green gel food color: This gives the frosting those perfect vine colors—don’t substitute with liquid dye or it might thin the frosting too much.
- Oreo chocolate sandwich cookies, finely crushed: Adds texture and a bit of chocolate crunch in neat rows, resembling soil rows in the patch.
- Betty Crocker™ Brownie Decors Pumpkin Vine: These little pumpkin vine sprinkles add a professional, festive touch that you’ll love.
- Candy pumpkins: The star of the show! Arranged neatly, these make the brownies feel like a real pumpkin patch.
Variations
I like to keep things simple with this Pumpkin Patch Brownies Recipe, but sometimes I like to mix up the toppings or swap out decorations to fit different themes or seasons. Feel free to make it your own!
- Nut Lovers: Try sprinkling chopped pecans or walnuts instead of crushed Oreos for an added crunch and a nutty twist—I swear it adds a lovely texture contrast.
- Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free frosting alternative and check your brownie mix ingredients to make this friendly for those avoiding dairy.
- Spice It Up: For a warm fall kick, mix a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon into the brownie batter before baking—my family goes crazy for that cozy flavor.
- Decor Swaps: Try swapping out candy pumpkins for mini candy corns or themed sprinkles for other holidays.
How to Make Pumpkin Patch Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Bake Your Brownies
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (or 325°F if you’re using a dark or nonstick pan). Line a 9-inch square pan with foil, letting it hang over the sides for easy lifting later—that’s a lifesaver. Spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Then, whisk together the brownie mix with water, vegetable oil, and egg exactly as the box directs. Pour that luscious batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Pop it in the oven and bake for 28 to 31 minutes, or until your toothpick inserted about 2 inches from the side comes out almost clean. Once baked, cool completely on a rack, which takes roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes—this step is key for frosting to go on smoothly and not melt.
Step 2: Mix Your Frosting and Decorations
Once your brownies are cooled, use the foil edges to lift them out of the pan and gently peel away the foil. In a small bowl, stir together the vanilla frosting and green gel food color until you get that perfect vibrant green—go slow, you can always add more color if needed. Scoop out one tablespoon of this green frosting into a small resealable bag, seal it partially, and snip a tiny corner to create a piping bag for the vines later.
Step 3: Assemble Your Pumpkin Patch
Spread the remaining green frosting evenly over the top of your brownie slab—think of it like planting your pumpkin patch soil. Then, sprinkle the crushed Oreos in four neat rows, about a generous tablespoon per row. This adds a fun texture and gives the brownies that “patch” look. Next, scatter the pumpkin vine decors across the top, adding festive flair. Now for the fun part: arrange the candy pumpkins carefully in a 4 by 4 grid right on top. Finally, pipe little green lines using your frosting bag to create the pumpkin vines connecting each candy pumpkin—this detail really brings the patch to life and always impresses guests!
Step 4: Cut and Serve
Carefully slice the brownies into 16 squares (4 rows by 4 rows), making sure to position one candy pumpkin in the center of each piece. These are best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. I love how these cut into perfect little bites that are mess-free and kid-approved!
Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Patch Brownies Recipe
- Perfect Cooling Time: Don’t rush cooling—waiting the full 90 minutes ensures your frosting doesn’t slide off and keeps your design crisp.
- Use Foil Lifting Trick: Lining the pan with foil makes removing the brownies a breeze and prevents them from breaking or sticking.
- Crush Oreos Finely: Crush Oreos just enough to create texture, but not powder; it creates those charming little rows that look like soil furrows.
- Precise Piping: Cut a tiny piping edge on the plastic bag so you have full control over your vines—too large and they lose their delicate look.
How to Serve Pumpkin Patch Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep the garnishes simple to let those candy pumpkins shine, but a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few extra sprinkles around the edges can add a festive touch. Sometimes I add a dollop of whipped cream on the side for an extra creamy finish that complements the dense brownies.
Side Dishes
Pumpkin Patch Brownies go great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of hot apple cider. If you’re serving at a party, I love pairing these with a tray of spiced nuts or mini caramel apples for a complete autumn-inspired spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For Halloween parties or fall festivals, I’ve laid these out on a wooden serving board lined with hay or shredded green tissue paper to mimic a pumpkin patch field. Adding some small faux pumpkins and autumn leaves around the platter makes it really pop. You can even let kids decorate their own pumpkin patch brownies at a party station—makes for a fun activity and dessert rolled into one!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover pumpkin patch brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I keep mine covered tightly so the frosting stays moist and the candy decorations don’t stick to the container. They’ll still taste fresh, though the decorative vines might soften slightly.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these brownies successfully by wrapping the whole pan (before adding the frosting) tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then add frosting and decorations fresh before serving. This way, the candy pumpkins stay intact and the frosting doesn’t get soggy.
Reheating
Since these are frosted and decorated, I recommend enjoying them at room temperature. If you want a warm bite, gently microwave a single brownie square for about 10 seconds—just don’t overdo it or the frosting will melt. That’s actually one of my favorite ways to eat any brownie, warm with a little melty frosting.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade brownies instead of a boxed mix for this Pumpkin Patch Brownies Recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade brownies work just as well. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before frosting, and adjust the pan size if needed to keep the thickness similar. The boxed mix is just my shortcut for ease without sacrificing taste.
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What if I can’t find the Betty Crocker Brownie Decors Pumpkin Vine sprinkles?
No worries! You can substitute with any green sprinkles, edible glitter, or even use green-tinted shredded coconut for a similar pumpkin vine effect. Or simply pipe extra frosting lines to mimic vines.
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How long do these pumpkin patch brownies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay fresh for about 3 days. I usually try to enjoy them within that time frame for best taste and texture.
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Can I make these brownies gluten-free?
You can if you use a gluten-free brownie mix and make sure your toppings are also gluten-free. Double-check labels on sprinkles and candy pumpkins. Gluten-free mixes may have a different texture but still delicious.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin Patch Brownies Recipe is one of those sweet little seasonal joys I look forward to making every fall. It’s simple enough for a weeknight treat but special enough that friends and family rave about it every time. Decorating the pumpkin patch is such a fun moment—it brings out the kid in me and usually the kids around the kitchen, too! I can’t recommend it enough if you want a bite that’s both delicious and downright adorable. Go ahead and give this a try—you’ll love sharing the pumpkin patch magic with everyone around your table.
PrintPumpkin Patch Brownies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 31 min
- Total Time: 2 hr 25 min
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these festive Pumpkin Patch Brownies — rich, chocolaty brownies topped with creamy vanilla frosting, green gel-colored vines, crushed Oreos, brownie decors, and adorable candy pumpkins. Perfect for fall celebrations and Halloween parties, these brownies combine luscious textures and playful decorations that are sure to impress family and friends.
Ingredients
Brownie Base
- 1 box (16 oz) Betty Crocker™ Delights Supreme Original Brownie Mix
- Water, vegetable oil and egg called for on brownie mix box
Frosting & Decoration
- 1 cup from 1 tub (16 oz) Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy Vanilla Frosting
- 1 teaspoon Betty Crocker™ green gel food color
- 4 Oreo chocolate sandwich cookies, finely crushed (about 1/3 cup)
- 2 teaspoons Betty Crocker™ Brownie Decors Pumpkin Vine (from 2.9-oz container)
- 16 candy pumpkins
Instructions
- Prepare Brownie Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (325°F if using a dark or nonstick pan). Line a 9-inch square pan with foil, allowing about 2 inches of overhang on the sides, and spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Follow the brownie mix box instructions to prepare the batter using the required water, vegetable oil, and egg. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake and Cool Brownies: Bake the brownies for 28 to 31 minutes or until a toothpick inserted about 2 inches from the pan edge comes out almost clean. Once baked, transfer the pan to a cooling rack and cool completely, which takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Prepare Frosting and Decoration Bag: Carefully lift the brownies out of the pan by the foil overhang and peel away the foil. In a small bowl, combine the vanilla frosting with the green gel food color and stir until fully blended. Set aside 1 tablespoon of the colored frosting in a small resealable plastic bag, partially seal, and snip off a tiny corner to create a piping bag for decorating vines later.
- Decorate Brownies: Spread the remaining green-colored frosting evenly over the top of the cooled brownies. Sprinkle the finely crushed Oreo cookies in 4 parallel rows on top of the frosting, using about a generous tablespoon per row. Evenly scatter the Brownie Decors Pumpkin Vine pieces over the brownies. Arrange 16 candy pumpkins neatly in a 4 by 4 grid on top, creating a pumpkin patch look. Use the prepared frosting piping bag to pipe small green lines resembling pumpkin vines across the brownies, following the photo guide for reference.
- Serve and Store: Cut the decorated brownies into 16 equal pieces, creating 4 rows by 4 rows, with one candy pumpkin centered on each brownie piece. Store the brownies covered in an airtight container to keep them fresh and moist.
Notes
- For best results, use a dark or nonstick pan to prevent sticking, adjusting the bake temperature as indicated.
- Ensure the brownies are completely cooled before frosting and decorating to prevent melting.
- If you don’t have Betty Crocker Brownie Decors, substitute with any festive edible sprinkles.
- To make cutting easier and cleaner, chill the brownies slightly before slicing.
- Store brownies at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie (1/16 of recipe)
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg