Dark Cocoa Cayenne Coffin Brownies for Halloween

by Lora Wiley-Lennartz October 30, 2017

written by Lora Wiley-Lennartz October 30, 2017

Black Cocoa Cayenne Halloween Coffin Brownies

Believe it or not, I added no food coloring to these spooky coffin brownies. The secret is a gorgeous dark cocoa powder. Perfect for Halloween.

Use any cocoa-based brownie recipe and swap out the regular cocoa powder for the dark variety. You will have gorgeous black tinted brownies. Use Halloween themed cookie cutters and cover them with any Halloween decorations you like.

I used a special coffin shaped cake pan to create these. If you don’t have a Halloween coffin pan, here’s what you do: Bake the brownies in a usual square pan. Google “coffin Shape”. When you find the size you like. Tape a piece of blank paper up to the screen and gently trace the outline with a pencil or felt tip marker. Shrink the coffin shape on your screen two sizes. Trace again as a separate shape.

Cut the shapes out of the paper and glue them on a piece of cardboard. Cut off the excess cardboard around the coffin shapes. Use the larger shape and a sharp knife to cut out coffin shapes on the brownies. Place the smaller coffin shape on top of the brownie. Trace with a knife. Be careful only to cut halfway down. Use a small spoon to gently dig out the middles of the coffin brownies and fill with decorations.

I put two teaspoons of Cayenne pepper in the batter. The pepper gave the brownies a fabulous bit of flavor sting which I loved. However, if you are hot spice-adverse, leave it out entirely. One teaspoon would probably add a bit of fun flavor without too much spiciness.

Dark Cocoa Cayenne Coffin Brownies

for Halloween

Prep time: 10 minutes

Bake time: 30 minutes

Yield: 12 Brownies

Ingredients:

1 cup AP flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2/3 cup dark cocoa powder
1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 sticks (1 cup) butter softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup dark chocolate chopped into very small pieces

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease your grave pan or line a 9X12 inch pan with baking paper and grease the sides.
Whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, salt, dark cocoa powder and cayenne pepper and set aside.
Beat butter and sugar until fluffy (3 minutes.)
Add eggs one at a time until combined.
Beat in vanilla extract.
Add the dry ingredients and beat until combined.
Add chopped chocolate and mix them through.
Pour into pan and bake about 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the brownie comes out clean. If you are baking in a regular pan, bake for 30 minutes.
Cool completely before decorating