This 4-ingredient oven baked peanut butter ghost dessert is the kind of easy seasonal treat that comes together fast when you want something playful, sweet, and just a little over-the-top for fall. Baking peanut butter ghost candies into a simple dessert base gives you a warm, gooey pan of candy-topped goodness with hardly any prep, making it perfect for busy weeknights, Halloween parties, or a last-minute family dessert.
Serve this warm with cold vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped topping, or a glass of milk for a cozy contrast to the rich peanut butter and chocolate flavors. If you are setting it out for a party, small squares pair nicely with coffee, hot cocoa, or a tray of fresh apple slices to balance the sweetness.
4-Ingredient Oven Baked Peanut Butter Ghost Dessert
Servings: 9
Ingredients
1 box yellow cake mix
2 large eggs
1/2 cup melted butter
20 raw unwrapped peanut butter ghost candies
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an oven-safe metal roasting pan or similar casserole dish.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the yellow cake mix, eggs, and melted butter until a thick dough forms.
3. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with clean hands or the back of a spoon.
4. Scatter the raw unwrapped peanut butter ghost candies over the top, spacing them out so every serving gets plenty of candy.
5. Bake for 22 to 28 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the candies are soft and melty.
6. Let the dessert cool for 10 to 15 minutes before scooping or cutting into squares and serving warm.
Variations & Tips
For extra chocolate: Sprinkle a handful of chocolate chips over the dough before adding the ghost candies if your family likes a richer dessert. This makes the bars a little gooier and especially appealing served warm.
For easier serving: Line the pan with parchment paper if you want to lift the whole dessert out and cut cleaner squares. This is especially helpful for party trays or school-safe dessert tables where neat portions matter.
For picky eaters: Chop the peanut butter ghost candies into smaller pieces before scattering them on top so the peanut butter flavor is spread more evenly through each bite. Kids who do not want a whole candy in one spot often enjoy it more this way.
For a softer center: Check the pan at the early end of the baking time and pull it out when the middle is just set. The dessert will continue to firm up as it cools, and that keeps the texture nice and chewy.