Busy parents often find themselves in a bind when it comes to preparing something special for their kids' parties. With limited time and energy, the thought of whipping up a complicated dessert can be overwhelming. But fear not! There's a super - simple, candy - topped brownie that is not only easy to make but is also guaranteed to be a hit at any kids' party, especially during holidays like Halloween.

Let's start with the ingredients. For the brownie base, you'll need the following:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all - purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

For the candy topping, you can choose a variety of candies depending on the theme of the party. For a Halloween party, orange and black M&Ms, candy corn, or gummy worms would be perfect. If it's a more general kids' party, you can go with colorful sprinkles, Skittles, or Reese's Pieces.

Now, let's move on to the preparation process. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8 - inch square baking pan. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the sugar until well combined. Let the mixture cool slightly. Then, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to over - mix, as this can result in a tough brownie. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 - 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Don't over - bake the brownies, as they will continue to cook a bit after you take them out of the oven. Once the brownies are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pan for a few minutes.

While the brownies are still warm, it's time to add the candy topping. Sprinkle your chosen candies evenly over the top of the brownies. The heat from the brownies will help the candies stick a little bit. If you're using gummy worms, you can even arrange them in fun patterns, like wriggling across the brownies.

After adding the topping, let the brownies cool completely in the pan. Once they are cooled, you can cut them into squares. These candy - topped brownies are not only delicious but also visually appealing. They are the perfect treat for kids of all ages. At a party, they will be the first thing that kids reach for, and parents will appreciate how easy they are to make.

These brownies are also very versatile. You can adjust the recipe based on your family's preferences. If you want a richer brownie, you can increase the amount of butter or use bittersweet chocolate instead of cocoa powder. You can also experiment with different types of candies to create new and exciting flavor combinations.

During holidays, these brownies can be a great addition to your holiday table. For example, at a Christmas party, you can use red and green M&Ms or snow - shaped sprinkles. At an Easter party, pastel - colored jelly beans would make a lovely topping. The possibilities are endless.

In conclusion, this super - simple, candy - topped brownie is a lifesaver for busy parents. It requires minimal effort, uses common ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, and is a surefire way to make your kids' parties memorable. So, the next time you're short on time but still want to impress at a kids' party, give this brownie recipe a try. Your kids and their friends will thank you!