If you’re looking for a fun, spooky twist on your next dessert, you’re going to absolutely adore this Nutella Spider Brownies Recipe. These brownies are rich, fudgy, and insanely chocolaty with Nutella woven throughout—and then they get topped with Oreo spiders that are as cute as they are creepy. I first made these for a Halloween party, and let me tell you, they were gone in minutes. Keep reading and I’ll share exactly how to nail these brownies with tips to make your baking foolproof and your presentation irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich Fudgy Texture: The Nutella adds a wonderfully silky, gooey consistency that makes every bite melt in your mouth.
- Playful Presentation: Decorating with Oreo spiders and candy eyeballs turns a simple brownie into a showstopper—kids and adults alike go wild for it.
- Simple Ingredients: With pantry staples like Nutella, eggs, and Oreos, you probably already have everything you need to whip these up fast.
- Perfect for Last-Minute Dessert: I’ve pulled these together quickly for events, and the easy steps mean no stress but big wow factor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these Nutella Spider Brownies Recipe lies in how simple ingredients come together to deliver maximum flavor and fun. Each ingredient contributes to that fudgy texture or spooky finish, so choose quality when you can and don’t skip the decorative extras!
- All-purpose flour: This gives structure but keeps the brownie tender, so measure carefully for the right balance.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the chocolatey Nutella goodness.
- Nutella: The star ingredient—its hazelnut chocolate spread infuses moistness and flavor that’s hard to beat.
- Brown sugar: Adds a subtle caramel undertone and keeps brownies chewy.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor beautifully; use pure vanilla for best results.
- Eggs: They bind everything together and help the brownies rise slightly without drying out.
- Salted butter: Melting the butter makes the batter smooth and luxurious; salted balances the sweetness nicely.
- Oreos: Twisted apart, these become the “body” of the spider—definitely buy the classic kind for that perfect crunch.
- Candy eyeballs: These bring your spiders to life—grab a bag from your baking aisle or craft store.
- Black decorating gel: Essential for “gluing” the eyeballs on and drawing those spider legs with flair.
Variations
I love making these Nutella Spider Brownies Recipe my own by switching up little things — it keeps the recipe fresh and fits different occasions or dietary needs. Don’t be shy about experimenting!
- Nut-free Version: Swap Nutella for a chocolate fudge spread to accommodate nut allergies; your spiders will still look amazing!
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose and make sure your Oreos and candy eyes are certified gluten-free.
- Extra Crunch: Fold in chopped toasted hazelnuts or walnuts to amp up texture and nutty flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or cinnamon to the batter for a subtle surprise that adults will appreciate.
How to Make Nutella Spider Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix Your Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 325˚F and lining an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This step is clutch because it keeps your brownies from sticking, making it much easier to cut and decorate later. In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt—this is important so the salt is evenly distributed to subtly enhance the chocolate flavor.
Step 2: Whip the Nutella Mixture
In another bowl, beat together the Nutella, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs until you have a smooth, glossy batter. This is one of my favorite parts because the batter smells like chocolate heaven. Take your time here and make sure the sugar is mostly dissolved for a perfect texture.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now alternate adding the flour mixture and melted butter into the Nutella batter, folding gently after each addition until it’s fully combined and silky. The order matters because if you add too much liquid at once, your batter won’t mix evenly. Resist the urge to overmix—it’s tempting, but overdoing it makes brownies tougher.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Pour your batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50-55 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs but no raw batter. This step took me a couple tries to perfect—I always recommend checking at 50 minutes then watching closely after. Once baked, let the brownies cool completely in the pan; cooling is key because warm brownies are too soft to decorate properly.
Step 5: Decorate Your Spooky Spiders
Cut the cooled brownies into 16 squares. Place a tiny dab of black decorating gel on top of each brownie, then “glue” half an Oreo on with the gel—this is your spider’s body! Carefully attach candy eyeballs to the Oreos with more gel, then draw spider legs extending from the Oreos using the gel. Don’t worry about making them perfect; a little wonkiness makes your spiders look even more fun and creepy.
Pro Tips for Making Nutella Spider Brownies Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: I found that eggs at room temp blend better with Nutella for a smooth texture–cold eggs can cause clumps.
- Don’t Skip Cooling: I used to rush the decorating, but cooling fully makes spreading and placing the spiders much easier and cleaner.
- Twist Oreo Gently: When separating Oreos, twist slowly to keep the cream side intact for cleaner spider bodies.
- Thin Decorating Gel Tip: If your gel is too thick for legs, try warming the tip slightly or use a toothpick to help pull the gel into spider legs smoothly.
How to Serve Nutella Spider Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple because the Oreo spiders steal the show, but sometimes I sprinkle a tiny pinch of powdered sugar for a “spooky web” effect. A few mint leaves on the side add a nice color contrast and a fresh note if you want a palate cleanser.
Side Dishes
These brownies go beautifully with a drizzle of vanilla ice cream or a scoop of whipped cream—whether you’re serving at a party or just indulging at home. I’ve also paired them with a cup of warm coffee or hot chocolate for an extra cozy touch.
Creative Ways to Present
For Halloween parties, I like to arrange the brownies on a platter lined with faux spider webs, adding some plastic spiders for an extra creepy vibe. You can also serve them individually in mini cupcake liners or place them on a tiered dessert stand to make your table pop.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once decorated, I store leftover Nutella Spider Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Since the Oreos and candy eyes can get a bit soft over time, it’s best to enjoy them fresh, but they still taste fantastic even after a day or two.
Freezing
I’ve frozen uncut, undecorated brownies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to a month. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge before decorating. Freezing after decoration isn’t ideal because the candy eyes and gel can lose their shape.
Reheating
If you want warm brownies, I recommend reheating undecorated pieces in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. If decorated, skip reheating to avoid melting the candy eyes or smudging the gel art.
FAQs
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Can I use regular chocolate spread instead of Nutella in this Nutella Spider Brownies Recipe?
Yes, you can substitute a different chocolate spread, but Nutella’s unique hazelnut flavor really makes these brownies special. If you use plain chocolate spread, the brownies will still be delicious but slightly less nutty.
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How do I make sure my brownies come out fudgy and not cakey?
The key is to avoid overmixing once the flour is added and to watch the baking time closely—pull them from the oven when the toothpick still has a few moist crumbs. Also, the Nutella and melted butter contribute to that lovely fudgy texture.
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Where can I find candy eyeballs and decorating gel?
Candy eyeballs and black decorating gel are usually available at craft stores, specialty baking suppliers, or larger grocery stores during Halloween season. You can also order them online if you want to stock up.
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Can I make these Nutella Spider Brownies Recipe vegan?
Making this exact recipe vegan would take some modifications—like using flax eggs and vegan butter. Also, you’d want to find vegan Oreos and eyeballs. I haven’t tried this myself yet but would recommend starting with a trusted vegan brownie base and adding Nutella alternatives accordingly.
Final Thoughts
This Nutella Spider Brownies Recipe is one of those desserts that always brings smiles and a little bit of spooky fun to the table. I love how they’re simple enough to make any time but special enough for parties or holidays. Plus, the combination of fudgy Nutella brownies with playful Oreo spiders is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. If you give this recipe a try, have fun with the decorating—you might end up creating your own spider army!
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Nutella Spider Brownies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Nutella Spider Brownies are a fun and festive Halloween treat, combining rich, fudgy Nutella brownies with playful Oreo spiders decorated with candy eyes and black gel. Perfect for a spooky celebration or an easy last-minute dessert, these brownies are moist, chocolaty, and adorable to boot!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cup Nutella
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
Decoration
- 8 Oreos, twisted apart
- 36 candy eyeballs
- Black decorating gel
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325˚F. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the brownies.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Set aside to incorporate later.
- Create Nutella Mixture: In a separate larger bowl, beat together the Nutella, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs until the mixture becomes smooth and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Alternately add the flour mixture and melted butter into the Nutella mixture, mixing well after each addition until fully blended into a uniform batter.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 50-55 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.
- Cool Completely: Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool for about one hour to set properly before decorating.
- Cut and Decorate: Slice the cooled brownies into 16 equal squares. Place a small dot of black decorating gel on top of each brownie. Attach one Oreo half onto the gel, then use the gel to stick candy eyeballs onto the Oreo to create spider eyes. Use the gel to pipe spider legs extending from the Oreo onto the brownie. Repeat for all brownie squares.
Notes
- This Nutella Spider Brownies recipe is incredibly easy and perfect as a festive Halloween dessert or any time you want a spooky sweet treat.
- Using Oreos and candy eyeballs gives a playful spider effect without extra baking or complex decorating.
- Ensure the brownies are completely cooled before decorating to keep the gel and eyes secure.
- You can swap candy eyes for any other themed edible decorations for different occasions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie (1/16 of recipe)
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
