Dairy-Free Ghost Brownies Recipe (Vegan & Gluten-Free Options)

With most school and community holiday events cancelled, I’m looking for ways to have a fun Halloween at home. Traditionally, Scott makes a Halloween-themed dinner (such as dairy-free mummy dogs) and the kids enjoy trick-or-treat candy for dessert. This year, we need a dessert as well. And we’ve decided on these dairy-free ghost brownies.

Dairy-Free Ghost Brownies are Scary Good Sweets for Halloween

Alisa found this recipe for Dairy-Free Ghost Brownies on Betty Crocker’s site. I think they’re perfect: easy for kids to help make and lots of fun. You can make the brownies and frosting from scratch, or use store-bought options.

Dairy-Free Brownie Suggestions

My family’s favorite dairy-free brownie recipe is the American Girl Chocolate Chip Brownies. It also happens to be egg-free and vegan. For the brownies photographed here, I used a gluten-free brownie mix from Starry Lane Bakery. Alisa likes her Classic Dairy-Free Brownies. They use eggs, and can be made gluten-free. You can also use round brownie bites, like Canyon Bakehouse or Flax4Life, which are both gluten-free and dairy-free.

Dairy-Free Frosting Suggestions

You can use a homemade frosting, such as Alisa’s Dairy-Free Buttercream Frosting, but I would use the Decorator’s Option for a whiter “ghost” frosting. In my opinion, the recipe does work best with store-bought frosting. I used Pillsbury’s Cream Cheese Frosting (Yes, it’s dairy free! So is Duncan Hines, but Betty Crocker contains dairy) for these brownies.

For the Eyes & Mouth

Every gel frosting I know of is dairy free, but always check the labels. For a little extra flair, I used Wilton Sparkle Gel in Black for the ghost’s faces. If you opt for dairy-free chocolate chips, Enjoy Life are great.

Kids Can Cook Tips

Kids can help make the brownies, cut them into squares, and top them with the marshmallows and decorations. Older kids and teens can make the entire recipe by themselves. Younger children will need help with the oven.

Special Diet Notes: Ghost Brownies

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, optionally egg-free, optionally gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, optionally soy-free, optionally vegan, and vegetarian. It really depends on the ingredients you use. See above for various suggestions.

Dairy-Free Ghost Brownies

Prep time

10 mins

Total time

10 mins

Please note that the Prep and Cook time doesn't include making the brownies! This recipe is adapted from adapted from bettycrocker.com.

Author: Katherine and Sarah Hatfield

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Serves: 16 servings

Ingredients

1 (8x8-inch) pan dairy-free brownies, cooled (see post above for options)*
1 cup white dairy-free frosting (see post above)
16 large marshmallows (vegan, if needed)
Black decorating gel in a tube OR dairy-free mini and regular chocolate chips

Instructions

Cut the cooled brownies into 4 rows by 4 rows. Separate the brownies and space them apart on a large plate, serving tray, or cutting board.
Microwave the frosting for 20 to 30 seconds, or until melted and smooth.
Place one marshmallow on the top of each brownie.
Spoon one tablespoon of frosting over the top of each marshmallow, allowing it to drip down the sides.
Let the brownies stand for approximately 30 minutes, or until the frosting is set.
Draw eyes and mouths on the ghosts with the black gel or use a dairy-free regular chocolate chip in each ghost for the mouth and two mini chips for the eyes.

Notes

*If you make a larger batch of brownies (9x13-inch pan), you can serve some plain or double the other ingredients and make 32 ghosts.