Halloween Oreo Cake Bars

These Halloween Oreo Cake Bars are my go-to for a quick festive bake when I want to please a crowd with maximum fun and chocolatey flavor. Whether you need a classroom treat or an easy weekend dessert, these bars combine boxed cake simplicity with chewy texture and the playful crunch of candy and Oreos.

My youngest niece calls these her “magic bars” and insists on swirling the candies herself. They have become our annual trick-or-treat night tradition.

Gather Your Ingredients

• Chocolate cake mix: about fifteen ounces, look for a moist variety or one with rich cocoa for depth
• Unsalted butter, melted: provides chewiness and keeps the crumb soft, always use fresh for best flavor
• Large eggs: create structure and bind the ingredients together, choose eggs with bright yolks for richness
• Halloween Oreos, roughly chopped: give crunch and a pop of color, any limited edition Oreos with colored filling work well
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: bring extra melty pockets of chocolate, opt for a good-quality brand so you get smooth melting
• Halloween M&Ms or candy pieces: finish it off with bright colors and fun shapes, check that your candies are fresh and not clumped

How to Make It

Prepare the Batter:

Combine chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Stir with a sturdy spatula until fully blended. The batter will be quite thick, which is what you want for chewy bars.

Add the Goodies:

Gently fold in roughly chopped Halloween Oreos, chocolate chips, and half of your Halloween M&Ms. Mix just until they are evenly distributed so the candies do not break up completely.

Spread Into Pan:

Press the mixture into a parchment-lined nine by thirteen inch pan. Use the back of a spoon or your hands to smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms plus any festive sprinkles over the surface for a bright holiday flare.

Bake:

Place pan in a preheated three hundred fifty degree oven. Bake for about twenty five minutes. The top should look glossy and just set but still feel a little soft in the center. This keeps your bars fudgy and not dry.

Cool and Slice:

Let pan cool completely on a rack. Once fully cooled, lift out the parchment and transfer to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut into twelve to sixteen squares or rectangles.

Every year my family votes on which candies go into these bars but Halloween Oreos always make the cut because everyone loves seeing that orange center peeking through each slice. The best moment is when we gather right after trick-or-treating and dig into a warm pan of these gooey bars together.

Flavor Boosters

Halloween Oreo Cake Bars keep beautifully for several days. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze individual portions wrapped in plastic and they will thaw in about thirty minutes on the counter with no loss of texture.

Serving Suggestions

These bars are perfect on their own, but you can level them up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a party dessert plate. For extra Halloween flair, drizzle melted white chocolate dyed orange over the top before serving.

Creative Twists

Any boxed chocolate cake mix will work, so feel free to use your preferred brand. You can swap in regular Oreos if the seasonal variety is not available or try a different flavored filled cookie for a fun twist. If nut allergies are not a concern, add chopped peanuts or pecans instead of some of the candy for crunch.

Last Halloween my neighbor’s son who never eats dessert took a bar and came back for seconds. These always vanish at school bake sales before anything else and I once brought them to a work meeting where even my boss asked for the recipe.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ Can I use regular Oreos instead of Halloween-themed Oreos?

Yes, regular Oreos work too—Halloween versions just add festive color and flavor.

→ How do I keep the bars fudgy and soft?

Be careful not to overbake; bake until just set for soft and chewy bars.

→ Can I substitute the cake mix flavor?

Chocolate cake mix is ideal, but vanilla or spice cake mix also works for a twist.

→ How should I store leftovers?

Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

→ Are there extra toppings I can add?

Try festive sprinkles, extra candy pieces, or a drizzle of white chocolate for decoration.

→ Can this treat be made ahead for parties?

Yes, prepare a day in advance and slice before serving for convenience at gatherings.