Pumpkin Patch Brownies are an easy fall-themed dessert or Halloween craft idea for kids to dress up a basic batch of brownies and decorate them to look like a pumpkin patch.
Made with a boxed brownie mix, crushed Oreos, fresh strawberries, candy melts, and a few ingredients for the homemade Nutella frosting, this extra fudgy, rich, decadent Halloween dessert is absolutely delicious!
Pumpkin Patch Brownies with Strawberry Pumpkins
Pumpkin Patch Brownies are semi-homemade Halloween treats that transform a boring box of brownie mix into the cutest patch of chocolate covered strawberry pumpkins.
Decorating a dirt cake is a perfect project to make with kids, then slice it into squares and serve as a snack.
These Halloween pumpkin brownies begin with a simple shortcut one-bowl batter (because it’s made from a box!), that’s baked as the base for the sweet Nutella topping.
It’s always fun to give this dessert a final festive look by covering it with crushed “dirt” Oreo cookies and chocolate covered strawberry “pumpkins” sitting pretty in a patch.
Why We Love This Pumpkin Patch Brownie Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare in 15 minutes.
- Uses simple ingredients and shortcut steps.
- Full of fudgy, rich chocolate flavor in a fall-themed treat.
- Everything you love in a chewy brownie, but better because it’s topped with a chocolate-covered strawberry.
- A fun craft for kids to make in the classroom.
- Perfect for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving dessert tables, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.
More Easy Halloween Recipes
Ingredients
- Box Duncan Hines Brownie Mix : You will also need the ingredients listed on the package (eggs, water or milk, and vegetable oil).
- Oreos
- Fresh strawberries
- Orange candy melts
- Unsalted butter
- Nutella
- Powdered sugar
- Pure vanilla extract
- Salt
- Heavy whipping cream
Substitutions and Additions
- Brownie Base: I used a Dunkan Hines brownie mix for this recipe but you can use your favorite brand or even a homemade brownie recipe. Don’t care for brownies? Bake a cake instead!
- Other Oreos: Feel free to switch up the Oreos flavors. Try making your dirt with Mint, Peanut Butter, Java Chip, Chocolate Hazelnut, Toffee Crunch, or Mocha Caramel Latte varieties. There are so many to choose from! Just make sure you get the ones with a dark cookie and not the golden ones.
Recommended Tools
- 9×13 baking pan
- Sheet tray
- Parchment paper
- Microwave safe bowl
- Piping bag fitted with a Wilton #4 tip or Ziploc bag
- Standing or handheld mixer
- Food processor (or rolling pin)
See Full Recipe Card Below
Jump to RecipeHow to Make Pumpkin Dirt Brownies With Nutella Frosting
- Bake The Brownies: Prepare the brownie mix as per box instructions and pour the batter into the baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or as per box instructions, about 20-23 minutes. Cool completely before frosting and decorating.
Pro Tip: Brownies are done baking when a toothpick inserted an inch from the edge comes out clean. - Prepare The Pumpkins: Microwave the candy melts for 1 minute, stir, and continue in 30-second intervals until melted. Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate and place on the parchment paper. Pour the leftover chocolate into a piping bag and decorate lines on your strawberry pumpkins.
Pro Tip: You can also use a double boiler instead to melt the chocolate if you have one. - Form The Frosting: Microwave the Nutella for about 15 seconds and stir with a spoon. Cream the butter until creamy and then mix in the Nutella. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix to combine, and add the vanilla, salt, and heavy whipping cream. Mix until fully incorporated.
Pro Tip: You can add more sugar if you would like it to be sweeter. - Create The Cookie Crumbs: Pulse Oreos into fine crumbs. You can use the whole cookie, cream and all!
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a food processor, place Oreos in a ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin until you get crumbs. - Decorate: Pour the frosting over the brownies and spread evenly across. Sprinkle on the Oreo crumbs for the dirt and top with your strawberry pumpkins. Have fun and get creative.
- Serve: Enjoy!
Tip From Our Recipe Developer
- Use your favorite chocolate brownie mix or homemade brownie recipe. If you don’t like brownies, this recipe can also be made using a cake mix or a homemade cake recipe.
- You can use a store bought chocolate frosting if you are short on time.
- If you are using different candy melts other than Wilton, make sure to follow the package instructions.
- If you don’t have a piping bag or tip for the strawberries, you can use a ziplock bag and snip a small piece of the corner off and pipe that way. Careful not to snip too much though. You can start small and do a practice line on parchment paper to see if you like the size, then snip more if needed.
- When microwaving the Nutella, you just want to soften it. It should not be fully melted and should not be hot, otherwise, it will melt the butter. If it is hot, do not pour it into the butter until it cools down.
Storage
- To Store: Store any leftover brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The chocolate covered strawberries can be refrigerated in a separate container and will last 1-2 days in the refrigerator.
More Easy Fall Recipes
- Hershey’s Kisses Acorn Treats
- Halloween Witch Apples
- Caramel Apple Slices
- Apple Pie Tacos
- Candy Corn Jello Shots
- Fireball Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Patch Brownies
Serves — 12
Pumpkin Patch Brownies is an easy way to bake a batch of chewy brownies and decorate them with frosting, dirt, and chocolate covered strawberry pumpkins. A pumpkin patch dessert is the perfect Halloween dessert
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 box Duncan Hines Brownie Mix (plus ingredients needed to make on package)
- 15 Oreos crushed
- 16 oz pack fresh strawberries
- 12 oz package orange candy melts
For the Nutella frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup Nutella
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° and spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray. You can use a smaller sized baking pan if you want. Make sure to adjust the cooking time.
- In a large mixing bowl, prepare the brownie mix as per box instructions and make sure not to overmix.
- Pour the batter into the greased baking pan and spread evenly across, making sure to fill the corners. Then place in the oven and bake as per box instructions, about 20-23 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted an inch from the edge comes out clean. When finished, let cool on a wire rack completely before frosting and decorating.
- For the chocolate covered strawberries: Wash and fully dry the strawberries then line a sheet tray with parchment paper. Place the candy melts in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on defrost or 50% setting for 1 minute. Give it a stir with a spoon and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each time, until fully melted and creamy. Do not overheat as it will become thick. You can also use a double boiler instead to melt the chocolate if you have one. (If using different candy melts other than Wilton, go with package instructions.)
- Holding the leaves on top, carefully dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate and place on the parchment paper lined tray. Repeat until all strawberries are dipped and covered in chocolate. You do not need to do the whole pack of strawberries, just how many you want on top of the brownies. I usually like to make a little extra. The chocolate hardens fast though, so try to work quickly.
- Pour the leftover chocolate in a piping bag fitted with a Wilton #4 tip. If you don’t have a bag or tip, you can use a ziplock bag and snip a small piece of the corner off and pipe that way. Careful not to snip too much though. You can start small and do a practice line on parchment paper to see if you like the size, then snip more if needed.
- Hold the piping bag firmly and decorate lines on your strawberry pumpkins. If the chocolate on the strawberries are dried, you can hold it to make decorating easier. Repeat until all strawberries are done and then set aside. You do not need to place in the refrigerator as they are more likely to “sweat”.
- For the Nutella frosting: Place the Nutella in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for about 15 seconds and give it a stir with a spoon. We just want to soften it. It should not be fully melted and should not be hot, otherwise it will melt the butter. If it is hot, do not pour it in until it cools down.
- In a large mixing bowl using a standing or handheld mixer, cream the butter on medium speed until creamy and there are no more lumps. Then add the Nutella and mix until it is well incorporated. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until combined. You can add more sugar if you would like it to be sweeter. Then add the vanilla, salt, and heavy whipping cream and mix again until it is fully incorporate. Make sure to scrape down the sides and mix as needed. Set aside.
- For the Oreo topping: place Oreos into the food processor and pulse until you get fine crumbs. You can use the whole cookie, cream and all. If you don’t have a food processor, place in a ziplock bag and crush it with a rolling pin until you get crumbs. Place into a bowl and set aside.
- Once the brownies have cooled, we can decorate! Pour the frosting over the brownies and spread evenly across. Sprinkle on the Oreo crumbs for the dirt and then top with your strawberry pumpkins.
- Have fun and get creative with it. Enjoy!
Jenn’s Notes
Storage :
- To Store: Store any leftover brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The chocolate covered strawberries can be refrigerated in a separate container and will last 1-2 days in the refrigerator.
- Use your favorite chocolate brownie mix or homemade brownie recipe. If you don’t like brownies, this recipe can also be made using a cake mix or a homemade cake recipe.
- You can use a store bought chocolate frosting if you are short on time.
- If you are using different candy melts other than Wilton, make sure to follow the package instructions.
- If you don’t have a piping bag or tip for the strawberries, you can use a ziplock bag and snip a small piece of the corner off and pipe that way. Careful not to snip too much though. You can start small and do a practice line on parchment paper to see if you like the size, then snip more if needed.
- When microwaving the Nutella, you just want to soften it. It should not be fully melted and should not be hot, otherwise it will melt the butter. If it is hot, do not pour it into the butter until it cools down.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 689kcal | Carbohydrates: 90g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 233mg | Potassium: 202mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 70g | Vitamin A: 515IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 4mg
