If you’re looking for a fun, festive twist on dessert this fall, you absolutely have to try my Crazy Halloween Blondies Recipe. It’s packed with all the Halloween goodies you love—candy corn, M&M’s, pretzels, and oodles of caramel—making it a sweet, crunchy, and slightly salty treat that’s perfect for parties, after school snacks, or whenever you need a festive pick-me-up. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this recipe on hand through October and beyond because it’s just that good!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Loaded with festive mix-ins: From candy corn to pretzels, every bite surprises you with familiar Halloween flavors.
- Easy to make: Simple steps and pantry staples come together quickly for a festive treat.
- Perfect balance of sweet and salty: Thanks to the crunchy pretzels and caramel drizzle, this isn’t your average blondie.
- Great for sharing: Yields two dozen bars so you can easily feed a crowd or have leftovers to enjoy later.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this Crazy Halloween Blondies Recipe, I stick with classic blondie base ingredients but then add a handful of Halloween-themed mix-ins that make it truly unique. The combination of flavors and textures really comes to life when you use good-quality butter and fresh eggs, plus fun candies that still have a bit of crunch.
- Butter: I use melted butter here for rich flavor and a moist, tender texture.
- Brown Sugar: Packed and dark for deep caramel notes.
- Eggs: Room temperature helps them blend smoothly with the batter.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structure of the blondie base comes from this staple.
- Baking Powder: Helps give a light rise without too much fluff.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance flavors.
- Pecans: Divided: half in the batter and half to sprinkle on top for crunch.
- Milk Chocolate M&M’s: Also divided, for that melty chocolate surprise inside and colorful topping.
- Candy Corn: Chopped and divided so you get the sweet classic Halloween treat throughout.
- Miniature Pretzels: Coarsely chopped and divided, I love the salty crunch they add.
- Miniature Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Divided to boost the chocolate flavor in every bite.
- Butterscotch Chips: Divided for a lovely buttery sweetness that complements the caramel.
- Hot Caramel Ice Cream Topping: This gooey finish turns these blondies into something next level.
Variations
I always encourage mixing things up with the Crazy Halloween Blondies Recipe depending on what you have on hand or your flavor preference. I’ve tried a few fun tweaks that make it feel fresh or accommodate different tastes without losing that Halloween charm.
- Nut-Free Version: Swap out pecans for toasted pumpkin seeds or skip nuts entirely to keep it safe for allergy-sensitive folks in your family.
- White Chocolate Lover’s Twist: Replace semisweet chips with white chocolate chips for a creamier bite—I did this last year for a party and it was a hit!
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the batter for a subtle warmth that pairs wonderfully with the caramel.
- Vegan Adaptation: Use vegan butter, flax eggs, and make sure your candies are vegan-friendly to enjoy a cruelty-free version.
How to Make Crazy Halloween Blondies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving the edges hanging over the sides so you can easily lift the blondies out later. Don’t forget to grease the parchment after lining to prevent sticking—this is a small step that will save you from frustration when it’s time to cut and serve.
Step 2: Mix the Base Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and packed brown sugar until it’s nice and smooth. I always use a hand mixer here to get rid of any lumps quickly. Next, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is glossy and uniform—you want to make sure your eggs are room temperature, so they blend easily and avoid curdling.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Add Mix-Ins
In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt together, then gradually stir this into the wet ingredients until just combined. Don’t overmix here—it’s tempting, but keeping a little texture in the batter will make your blondies tender. Now for the fun part: gently fold in half of the pecans, M&M’s, candy corn, pretzels, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips. These mix-ins are what make this recipe “crazy” and totally special, so be generous!
Step 4: Bake, Cool, and Top
Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. I usually check at 20 minutes to avoid overbaking because you want these blondies soft and chewy. When done, let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Once cooled, spread the jar of hot caramel ice cream topping evenly over the blondies. Then sprinkle the remaining pecans, M&M’s, candy corn, pretzels, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips on top to give it a festive, crunchy finish. Use the parchment paper edges to lift the blondies out of the pan, then cut them into bars. I love letting them rest for a bit after cutting so the caramel sets slightly—it makes for cleaner slices.
Pro Tips for Making Crazy Halloween Blondies Recipe
- Don’t Skip Room-Temperature Eggs: I learned the hard way that cold eggs won’t mix evenly and can lead to a lumpy batter.
- Fold Mix-Ins Gently: Too much stirring can break up your candy and nuts, losing that delightful texture contrast.
- Watch Your Bake Time: Blondies can go from perfectly chewy to dry fast—dip a toothpick in starting around 20 minutes to check.
- Use Parchment Paper with Overhang: Makes it so much easier to lift these out for cutting and serving without any crumbling.
How to Serve Crazy Halloween Blondies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with the candy and nuts sprinkled on top after adding the caramel because they add the best texture and color contrast. But if you want to get fancy, try drizzling a little more melted chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar for a pop of visual flair. Adding some edible Halloween-themed sprinkles also makes these super festive and fun for kids.
Side Dishes
These blondies are pretty much a dessert all on their own, but I love pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some whipped cream to balance the sweetness and bring a creamy texture to the plate. Of course, if you’re serving at a party, a warm spiced apple cider or pumpkin spice latte pairs beautifully alongside to keep the Halloween vibes going strong.
Creative Ways to Present
For Halloween gatherings, I like cutting these blondies into fun shapes using cookie cutters—like pumpkins or ghosts—and serving them on a platter with some Halloween-themed napkins. Wrapping individual bars in clear cellophane with orange or black ribbons also makes a cute treat for party favors or classroom snacks. Getting creative with presentation turns simple blondies into a festive showstopper!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once the blondies have fully cooled, I store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Keeping the caramel on top means they stay a bit sticky, so layering with parchment paper between the layers prevents them from sticking together. They’re usually gone before I have leftover worries though—my family goes crazy for these!
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead or save some for later, I’ve frozen leftover blondies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer bag. They freeze well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat them, just thaw at room temperature and they taste just as good as fresh. This is a lifesaver around busy holiday weekends.
Reheating
To bring the blondies back to that freshly baked warmth, I pop them in a microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 minutes. Be careful not to overheat or they’ll dry out. I personally prefer the microwave method for a quick soft warm-up that brings back the gooey caramel goodness.
FAQs
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Can I substitute other candies for the mix-ins in the Crazy Halloween Blondies Recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe is very flexible. Feel free to swap the candy corn, M&M’s, or chocolate chips with your favorite seasonal or everyday candies. Just keep the total quantity roughly the same to maintain the right balance of texture and flavor. Just remember that some candies may melt differently during baking, so watch for that.
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Can I make these blondies gluten-free?
You can! Simply replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that measures cup-for-cup like regular flour. I recommend blends that contain xanthan gum to help with binding. Keep an eye on bake time since gluten-free flours sometimes need a slight adjustment.
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Do I need to refrigerate these blondies because of the caramel topping?
These blondies keep just fine at room temperature because the caramel topping is a shelf-stable ice cream topping. If your kitchen is very warm, you can refrigerate them to keep the caramel firm, but just be sure to bring them back to room temp before serving for best texture.
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Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?
Yes, doubling is easy! Use a larger baking dish—like two 13×9 pans or a 9x13x3-inch deep pan—but watch bake time closely as it might need a few extra minutes. Always check with a toothpick for doneness to avoid over or under baking.
Final Thoughts
This Crazy Halloween Blondies Recipe quickly became one of my go-to seasonal treats because it perfectly captures the fun and spirit of the holiday in every bite. Its easy steps and crowd-pleasing mix-ins make it something I happily bake every year—and honestly, that caramel drizzle on top has my family asking for it again before I’ve even put the pan away. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) it as much as I do. Give it a try for your next Halloween party or cozy night at home—you won’t regret it!
PrintCrazy Halloween Blondies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Crazy Halloween Blondies are a festive and fun treat perfect for the spooky season. Loaded with a colorful mix of candy corn, M&M’s, pretzels, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and pecans, baked to golden perfection, and topped with rich caramel and more candy toppings, these blondies bring a delightful combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Blondie Batter
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans, divided
- 2/3 cup milk chocolate M&M’s, divided
- 2/3 cup chopped candy corn, divided
- 2/3 cup coarsely chopped miniature pretzels, divided
- 2/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips, divided
- 2/3 cup butterscotch chips, divided
Topping
- 1 jar (12 ounces) hot caramel ice cream topping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the ends to extend up the sides for easy removal later, and grease the parchment to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the melted butter and brown sugar together until well blended. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients and Incorporate: In another large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring well to form a smooth batter.
- Add Candy and Nuts: Fold in half of the chopped pecans, milk chocolate M&M’s, candy corn, pretzels, semisweet chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips into the batter evenly.
- Bake the Blondies: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before adding the topping.
- Add Caramel and Toppings: Once cool, spread the entire jar of hot caramel ice cream topping evenly over the blondies. Sprinkle the remaining half of the pecans, M&M’s, candy corn, pretzels, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips on top for a festive finish.
- Serve: Using the parchment paper edges, lift the blondies out of the pan onto a cutting board. Cut into 24 bars and serve.
Notes
- Allow blondies to cool completely before adding caramel topping to prevent it from melting too much.
- Using parchment paper with overhang makes removing bars from pan much easier and cleaner.
- Feel free to swap out candy mix-ins depending on your preference or for allergy considerations.
- Store leftover blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approximately 1/24 of recipe)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg