It's just a bunch of Hocus Pocus!

I'd like to share a creative idea for an easy dessert for any Halloween party!

I made this recently for a "Hocus Pocus" viewing party, but this Chocolate Graveyard could be used for any spooky sweet!

I promised a friend I would make a dessert for a party, and in order to shortcut I used.. GASP! boxed brownie mix and canned frosting.  

I was running back from a wedding and just didn't have time.  Also I have no shame about shortcuts (as you all know I love a good store-bought crust), I promise shortcuts like these will help give more time and energy to dedicate to the creative aspects!

Ingredients:

1 Brownie Mix (Whatever brand you like best!  My go-to is Betty Crocker)
1 Can Chocolate Frosting (Once again, Betty!)
1 Package of Oreos
1 Package of Dark Chocolate Milanos
Decorations/Sprinkles (Wilton made some super fun "bloody bone" ones, I couldn't find them online but a Michael's or ACE should have them)
Food Decorating Pens (specifically black)
Toothpicks (For cake testing and sign making)
Sign (If making a sign you will need your sign, note card/cardboard, tape and some black paper to back it)

1. Make brownies per instructions on packaging.  My favorite consistency for a brownie is that the toothpick is almost completely clean when you test it.. but there is a little fudge-y remainder.  *Drool*

2. While brownies are cooling, separate Oreos from themselves and remove internal frosting.  Place Oreos in a large ziplock bag and crush.  Do not crush too finely as this will be resembling the "dirt" in the graveyard.  Set aside.

3. Using your Food Decorating Pens, write "RIP" on the smooth end of the Milano.  Use as many as you would like to populate your graveyard (for my 13x9 pan I used 5).  Set aside.

4. To create your sign, cut around the image.  Roll your tape and stick the note card (or cardboard) onto the back of the image (to give it stability).  Then tape two toothpicks to the bottom to insert into the cake.  Tape the black piece of paper to the back of the sign to finish it off and cut around to match the shape. Set aside.

5. To assemble, once brownies are completely cooled, transfer to where you would like to display it.  Frost brownies entirely on the top and the sides.

6. Sprinkle Oreos and other decorations on the frosting to make it look like a spooky, dirty graveyard.  Then distribute the Milano headstones throughout the yard.  Just insert into the brownie and it should just slide into the cake and stay standing.

7. Then add your sign... and voila!  A super easy, quick dessert guaranteed to impress your goblins!

Looking for more Halloween and autumnal ideas?  Take a look at some of my past recipes and cocktails like, the "Candy Corn Bark" and "Fall Fete Drinks".

Eat, drink and be scary!