Pumpkin Patch Brownies with Strawberry Pumpkins: Fudgy chocolate brownies, creamy Nutella frosting, crushed Oreo dirt, and the most adorable chocolate-covered strawberry pumpkins create a pumpkin patch dessert for your Halloween and Fall get-togethers!
Oh, I love this time of year! My brain is overflowing with Fall and Halloween food ideas. I can’t wait to break out a big bowl of Halloween snack mix, stir up a batch of Pumpkin Fluff Dip and dig in to this Pumpkin Poke Cake! But first, let’s talk brownies!
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Patch Recipe
- All the chocolate! Our pumpkin batch brownies start with a fudgy brownie base (made from a boxed brownie mix), get a layer of chocolate hazelnut frosting, a layer of rich dark Oreo crumbs, and finally, a dozen chocolate-covered strawberries. YUM!
- Kid friendly! These brownies would be a fun Fall activity for a homeschool co-op day or play date. From spreading the frosting to dipping the strawberries, there are tons of ways kids can have so much fun and help make these Halloween treats.
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Patch Recipe
- Ingredients
- Instructions for the Pumpkin Patch Brownies
- How to Make the Strawberry Pumpkins
- Instructions for the Nutella frosting
- Assemble the Pumpkin Patch Brownies
- Substitutions
- Variations
- How to Store These Pumpkin Patch Brownies
- Top Tip
- More Recipes You’ll Love
- Recipe
- Comments
Ingredients
Get the full recipe card with the instructions below!
The brownies:
- One box of brownie mix (for a 9×13 pan) + the ingredients required per the package directions
Strawberry pumpkins:
- 16 oz. strawberries
- 12 oz. package of orange candy melts
The frosting:
- 2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup Nutella
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
For the Oreo crumb dirt topping
- 15 Oreo chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
Pumpkin patch vines and leaves
- 1 package of fresh mint leaves
Instructions for the Pumpkin Patch Brownies
- Preheat the oven according to the package directions on the box of brownie mix and prepare a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake the brownies as per the instructions and allow the pan of brownies to cool completely before frosting and decorating.
How to Make the Strawberry Pumpkins
- Wash and dry the strawberries completely. Then, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the orange candy melts in a microwave safe bowl and microwave them according to package instructions until the candy melts are smooth and creamy. Be careful not to overheat the candy melts as they can scorch and become thick.
- Holding the leaves of each strawberry, dip each berry in the melted chocolate and place it on the parchment lined pan. Leave the strawberries at room temperature to allow the chocolate to harden. The candy melts do harden relatively fast, so try to work quickly. You only need to dip one strawberry for each brownie, so I normally make 12 -15 strawberry pumpkins for a 9×13 pan of pumpkin patch brownies.
- Pour the leftover chocolate in a piping bag with a Wilson #4 tip inserted. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a small resealable food storage bag and snip off a small piece of the corner of the bag to use to pipe the lines on the strawberry pumpkins.
- Squeeze the chocolate slowly to the tip or corner of the bag and pipe small vertical lines around each strawberry to make the pumpkin ‘ridges’. Return the strawberries to the parchment lined tray to fully set.
Instructions for the Nutella frosting
- Place the Nutella in a microwave-safe bowl for about 15 seconds and stir. The Nutella will not be fully melted, just softened a bit. If it seems hot, allow it to cool slightly or it will melt the butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter until it is smooth and fluffy. Add the Nutella and mix it until it is incorporated with the butter. Add the powdered sugar gradually and mix until combined.
- Add vanilla extract, salt and the heavy whipping cream and mix until combined. Set the frosting aside.
For the Oreo “dirt” topping:
- Place the Oreo cookies into a food processor and pulse until you have crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, place the cookies into a large zip top bag and use a rolling pin to crush the cookies into crumbs. Place the Oreo dirt into a bowl and set it aside.
Assemble the Pumpkin Patch Brownies
- Frost the pan of brownies with the Nutella buttercream. (Stir frosting to bring it to spreading consistency if necessary.)
- Sprinkle the top of the brownies with the crushed Oreo dirt. Make sure to get an even layer of crumbs on top of the frosting.
- Arrange the strawberry pumpkins on top of the dessert.
- Place fresh mint sprigs between the strawberries to make the vines and leaves in the pumpkin patch.
How cute are these brownies?! Those strawberry pumpkins are just my favorite thing. You could even sprinkle these sweet and spicy pumpkin seeds on top!
To serve the brownies, cut them into squares and place a strawberry pumpkin in the center of each brownie. You can even sprinkle a little bit of the Oreo dirt on each plate.
It would also be super fun to serve a slice of these brownies with these Nutter Butter Mummies!
I’m pretty sure this easy dessert with become a Fall staple around your home! Honestly, brownies topped with chocolate-covered strawberries may be the only way I serve brownies from here on out.
Substitutions
We think these pumpkin patch brownies should show up at all of your fun Fall festivities, so we have some suggested substitutions below that might fit your family and lifestyle.
- Brownies: We love the time-saving step of using a box brownie mix but you can really save time with pre-made brownies from your local bakery or grocery store. If you have the time or just prefer a from-scratch recipe, bake up a pan of homemade brownies. (Check out our brownie recipes for inspiration!)
- Bake a Cake: If your family prefers, you can bake a chocolate cake as the base of this cute Halloween dessert.
- Frosting: While this dreamy Nutella frosting is pretty scrumptious, you can easily use store-bought frosting for these brownies. Pro tip: whip a tub of store-bought frosting with a stand mixer or hand mixer for a lighter, fluffier consistency!
Variations
We have several ways to customize this fun dessert for your family!
- Feel free to switch up the flavors of the frosting to complement the brownies. Try caramel buttercream, peanut butter frosting, chocolate butter cream or this fan favorite, Oreo buttercream! You can also use your favorite flavor of Oreo cookies. We prefer the dark chocolate cookies to make the Oreo dirt, but you can use the golden Oreos if that is what you can find.
- Instead of fresh mint, use green frosting (tint vanilla frosting with green food coloring) or green icing to pipe small green lines for vines and leaves for the pumpkin patch.
- Using paper and toothpicks or skewers, make pumpkin patch signs to place in the pan of brownies or in each individual brownie. You could also make little signs with your guests’ names at a Halloween party.
- Make these into fun Halloween brownies by piping on jack-o-lantern faces or adding spooky candy eyes to the chocolate covered strawberry pumpkins.
- Decorate the top of these brownies with pumpkin candies or candy corn.
How to Store These Pumpkin Patch Brownies
You can store the brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. (The Oreo crumbs may soften, but they will still taste great.) I recommend storing the strawberries for 1-2 days in a separate container lined with a paper towel to collect any condensation.
I would not recommend storing the brownies in the freezer.
Top Tip
While you can make the brownies and frosting ahead of time, for the best results, we recommend that you make the Oreo dirt crumbs, the strawberry pumpkins and assemble the brownies on the day you are going to serve them.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of chocolate covered strawberries, you’ll love seeing how we made these pink chocolate covered strawberries!
Or, if you’re an Oreo fan as much as we are, then this Oreo dessert is going to be a new favorite!
Tis the season… if you’re in to pumpkin “everything” then also make sure to check out this delicious pumpkin cheesecake bar recipe and a similar pumpkin cheesecake bites recipe!
Or of course, this easy pumpkin pie is a great choice to make for the holidays, too!
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
Recipe
Pumpkin Patch Brownies with Strawberry Pumpkins
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 box brownie mix plus ingredients required on the package
Chocolate covered strawberry pumpkins
- 16 oz strawberries
- 12 oz orange candy melts
Frosting
- 2 sticks unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup Nutella®
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 tbs heavy whipping cream
Oreo crumb dirt topping
- 15 Oreos crushed
Pumpkin patch leaves & vines
- 1 package Mint leaves
Instructions
To make the brownies
- Preheat the oven according to the package directions on the box of brownies and prepare a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions.
- Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake brownies as per the instructions and allow the pan of brownie to cool completely before frosting and decorating.
Make strawberry pumpkins
- Wash and dry the strawberries completely. Then, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the orange candy melts in a microwave safe bowl and microwave them according to package instructions until the candy melts are smooth and creamy.
- Holding the leaves of each strawberry, dip each berry in the melted chocolate and place it on the parchment lined pan. Leave the strawberries at room temperature to allow the chocolate to harden.
- Pour the leftover chocolate in a piping bag with a #4 Wilson tip inserted. (See notes if you don't have a piping bag.)
- Squeeze the chocolate slowly to the piping tip and pipe small vertical lines around each strawberry to make the pumpkin 'ridges'. Return the strawberries to the parchment lined tray to full set.
Instructions for the Nutella frosting
- Place the Nutella in a microwave safe bowl for about 15 seconds and stir. The Nutella will not be fully melted, just softened a bit. It is seems hot, allow it cool slightly or it will melt the butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter until it is smooth and fluffy. Add the Nutella and mix it until it is incorporated with the butter. Add the powdered sugar gradually and mix to combine.
- Add vanilla extract, salt and heavy whipping cream and mix until combined. Set the frosting aside.
Assemble the Pumpkin Patch brownies
- Frost the pan of brownies with the Nutella buttercream.
- Sprinkle the top of the brownies with the crushed Oreo dirt. Make sure to get an even layer of crumbs on top of the frosting.
- Arrange the strawberry pumpkins on top of the Oreo dirt.
- Place fresh mint springs between the strawberries to make the vines and leaves in the pumpkin patch.
Notes
- If you prefer, you can make these brownies in an 9×9 or 8×8 square pan, just adjust the baking time accordingly.
- Be careful not to overheat the candy melt as they can scorch/burn and become thick.
- The candy melts do harden relatively quickly, so try to work quickly.
- You only need to dip one strawberry for each brownie, so I normally make 12-15 strawberry pumpkins for a 9×13 pan of pumpkin patch brownies.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, you can pour the chocolate into a small resealable food-storage bag (small ziploc bag) and snip off a tiny corner of the bag to use to pipe the lines on the strawberry pumpkins.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Kristyn says
We love absolutely everything about these brownies!! So fun & festive! They are chocolate-y & gooey, just the way my family loves them!
Allyssa says
This is really easy to follow, loved this pumpkin patch brownies recipe! It’s really tasty and very flavorful! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!