Graveyard Brownie Tart. Ever had that feeling where you want to show up to your Halloween party with a dessert so fun it’s almost spooky, but, like, actually doable? Not one of those five-star restaurant science projects, either. Graveyard Brownie Tart is totally that dessert. It’s ooey, it’s gooey, it looks like it just crawled out from the haunted bakery. You get rich chocolate and cute decorations, all in a low-stress, max-impact recipe. Honestly, this one is kinda my secret weapon, right up there with my favorite mocha layer brownie cake for epic crowd pleasers. Can’t mess it up much, I promise. 
History / Fun Fact
So, let me spill a weird little tidbit. The Graveyard Brownie Tart probably got dreamt up by some wild genius who was tired of “basic” Halloween goodies. It’s not an ancient recipe or anything – more like a lovechild of Pinterest inspo and classic childhood brownies. Halloween desserts were all about candy corn for decades, you know? But people wanted “spooky cute” and bam—here comes the tart. Plus, nothing says “home baker with a flair for drama” quite like making desserts that look like cemeteries. Fun fact: the tombstone cookies were actually modeled after real grave markers by some creative bakers. If you ask me, it just makes the whole vibe more legit. 
| Nutritional Information | Value per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 300-350 |
| Total Fat | 15-20g |
| Sugars | 20-25g |
| Protein | 3-5g |
| Carbohydrates | 40-50g |
Ingredients
Alright, time to round up the snack squad. For this tart, you’ll need:
- 1 pre-made tart crust (graham cracker or chocolate, totally your call)
- 1 batch of your favorite brownie mix (doctors will not judge – mix or from scratch works)
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips (milk, dark, whatever’s around)
- 6-8 milano cookies or oval butter cookies (these become tombstones)
- 1 cup chocolate frosting (store-bought = less mess)
- Decorative candies (gummy worms, candy pumpkins, green sprinkles)
- White icing or edible marker for writing “RIP” on the cookies
And don’t forget: some paper towels handy. Things are gonna get chocolatey.
Cooking Time & Tips
Promise, you’ll be in and out of the kitchen in under an hour, and it looks like a pro job. It takes about 30 minutes to set up and bake, and maybe another 20 for cooling and getting decorative. That’s assuming you’re not distracted by your phone… people keep texting me Halloween memes and it’s impossible to ignore.
Oh, and here’s my best tip: Freeze the tart shell for ten minutes before adding the brownie batter. It sets up cleaner, trust me. Also, don’t overbake your brownie. If it looks a little gooey in the middle, you’re on the right track for fudgy goodness. Oh, and don’t let the decorations stress you out. Messy is the vibe here, perfect is boring. 
Step-by-Step
Let’s walk it through (but quick, because who has time to read boring step lists?):
- Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C). If using premade crust, just place it on a baking tray for stability.
- Prepare your brownie mix as directed on the box or whatever recipe you love.
- Pour the batter into the crust. Sprinkle those chocolate chips right on top. More chocolate is always right, come on.
- Bake 27-32 minutes. Use a toothpick – you want a little crumb left when you test.
- Cool completely. I know, waiting sucks. Sip your coffee, text your friend, distract yourself.
- Slather on the chocolate frosting – be generous, life’s too short for skimpy frosting.
- Decorate: Write “RIP” on the cookies, gently press them into the tart like tombstones. Scatter candies, make little worm trails, stick pumpkins, whatever makes it look delightfully creepy.
Go wild with it. Kids can help (sticky fingers are part of the fun).
Nutritional Information
Okay, I am not a doctor or anything. But let’s be honest, this is not called “health pie.” The Graveyard Brownie Tart is full on splurgy so don’t even try to count calories here. Expect sugar. Expect chocolate. You’re eating a dessert that looks like a graveyard, not a salad.
Still, if numbers matter: each good-sized slice probably clocks in around 300-350 calories, depending what you pile on top. You’ve got carbs, plenty of fats, some protein thanks to eggs if you go scratch, and a not-insignificant jolt of happiness. Moderation, folks.
Healthier Alternatives
Wanna take a swing at making this “healthier”? Yeah, you can! Swap out the regular brownie mix for a gluten-free or “healthified” mix—like those black bean ones. I know, sounds iffy, but they’re surprisingly good. Try Greek yogurt instead of oil if you’re building it from scratch.
Pick dark chocolate chips over milk (antioxidants, you know). Use reduced sugar frosting, or, heck, whip up a quick chocolate-yogurt spread. For the tombstones, graham crackers work and are lighter than butter cookies. It’s not a true health food (let’s not kid ourselves), but if it means you feel better eating a second slice, why not?
Serving Suggestions & Occasions
Honestly, anytime October rolls in, this tart should be on your calendar. More ideas? Here ya go:
- Dress it up for school parties with extra marshmallow “webs”
- Set the tart out with your other mocha layer brownie cake for ultimate bake sale cred
- Make a mini version for a spooky date night
- Pack the leftovers for coworker treats (watch them go bonkers for it)
People go wild over this thing at potlucks or movie marathons. The messier the better.
Common Mistakes
Biggest mess-up? Overbaking the brownie. Dry, brick-like tart is nobody’s idea of a good time. Watch the timer and check early.
Second: not letting things cool before decorating. The frosting will melt and the tombstones tip over. (Yes, I’ve done this. Learn from my chaos.)
Third: using wet cookies for tombstones. They’ll collapse like…well, real life, but not in a good way. Use crunchy ones.
Last, don’t fuss about perfect lines. Sloppy is authentic for a graveyard. It’s Halloween, not a wedding!
Storing Tips
If you somehow have leftovers (rare, but possible), cover them tightly and store in the fridge. It’ll keep fresh and gooey for about three days. Any longer and the cookies start to soften and the candies get weird. Oh – don’t freeze, though. The texture of the brownie and frosting gets a bit off. But then again, I’ve been known to eat cold brownies straight from the fridge because self-control is a myth.
Common Questions
Q: Can I use homemade brownies instead of a mix?
A: Heck yes. Use your favorite recipe if you have the time. The tart is all about mixing your shortcuts and signature moves.
Q: My tombstone cookies keep falling over. Help?
A: Press them deeper into the brownie after frosting, or anchor with a dab of extra icing underneath. Don’t stress. Crooked looks more haunted.
Q: Is it safe to make ahead?
A: Absolutely. Just keep decorations off ’til you’re ready to serve so they don’t get soggy.
Q: Can my kids help make the Graveyard Brownie Tart?
A: Oh, 100 percent. Kids love the decorations part. Maybe just keep little ones away from the oven (and reserve some gummies so you actually have toppings left).
Q: Got gluten-free options?
A: For sure. Gluten-free brownie mix and GF-friendly cookies for the tombstones work great. Nobody will even notice the swap.
Give Graveyard Brownie Tart a Go
So there you have it, friend. Graveyard Brownie Tart is the ultimate “look like a pro, but secretly so easy” Halloween treat. Messy, silly, rich, you get it—everyone loves it. And for when you’re in the mood for something different, check out these creative Healthy Halloween Treats – Mummy Apple Crypts. If you’re extra, a fancy Goaste 9.5 Inch Charlotte Cake Pan looks spooky cool, too. Anyway, dive in, get your hands chocolatey, and let your scaredy-cat side come out in the kitchen. This one’s a winner. 
Graveyard Brownie Tart
Ingredients
For the tart
- 1 each pre-made tart crust (graham cracker or chocolate)
- 1 batch your favorite brownie mix (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips milk, dark, or whatever is available
- 6-8 cookies milano cookies or oval butter cookies these will be used as tombstones
- 1 cup chocolate frosting store-bought is recommended for less mess
- to taste decorative candies (gummy worms, candy pumpkins, green sprinkles)
- to taste white icing or edible marker for writing 'RIP' on the cookies
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C). If using a premade crust, place it on a baking tray for stability.
- Prepare your brownie mix as directed on the box or your favorite recipe.
- Pour the batter into the crust and sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for 27-32 minutes. Use a toothpick to test; you want a little crumb left.
- Cool completely before decorating.
Decoration
- Slather on the chocolate frosting generously.
- Write 'RIP' on the tombstone cookies and press them into the tart.
- Decorate with candies to create your desired spooky look.
- Let kids help with the decoration for extra fun!
