Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Batter

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal later. Next, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in both the granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding the eggs, one at a time, whisking after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.

Meanwhile, in a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Gradually, add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix as it could make the brownies tough. Once the batter is well-mixed, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips for that extra gooeyness.

Pour the brownie batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. After that, bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached. Be cautious not to overbake, as you want these brownies to stay fudgy. Finally, let them cool completely in the pan.

Step 2: Prepare the Marshmallow Ghosts

While the brownies are cooling, it’s time to work on the marshmallow ghosts. This step is what makes the Halloween Ghost Brownies so festive and fun! In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, water, and vanilla extract to form a smooth icing. You want the icing to be thick enough to hold its shape but still easy to pipe. If it’s too thick, add a few more drops of water, and if it’s too thin, mix in a little more powdered sugar.

Place the large marshmallows onto the cooled brownies, spacing them evenly apart (you’ll want about 12 ghosts in total). Next, transfer the icing into a piping bag with a small round tip (or use a plastic bag with a small hole cut in the corner). Starting from the top of each marshmallow, pipe the icing downwards in a circular motion to create the appearance of a flowing ghost sheet. Let the icing set for a few minutes until it firms up slightly.

Step 3: Create the Ghost Faces

Once your marshmallow ghosts have set, it’s time to give them some personality! Using black food gel or melted chocolate, carefully draw two small eyes and a mouth on each marshmallow to complete your little ghost characters. You can use a toothpick or a fine-tipped paintbrush to ensure precision, but don’t worry if the faces aren’t perfect—sometimes the imperfect ones have the most character!

Let the brownies sit for about 10 minutes to fully set before cutting them into squares. Now, your Halloween Ghost Brownies are ready to serve and enjoy! Ultimately, these brownies make for a fun centerpiece at any Halloween party, and they’ll have everyone smiling and reaching for seconds.