Halloween Graveyard Chocolate Cheesecake Dip will transport you to a world of spooky, luscious indulgence. It’s a wickedly simple Halloween treat, perfect for little ghouls and grown-up ghosts alike.
Plus, the enchanting part? This delightful, no-bake Halloween cheesecake dessert will be ready to haunt your taste buds in under 15 minutes!
Goblins, both big and small, will love walking in the “graveyard,” stopping to chat with friendly ghosts and devouring this decadent chocolate cheesecake dip.
Crushed Oreos make up the dirt covering the creamy chocolate cheesecake layer that will make you swoon!
Like my Easter Chocolate Cheesecake Dip, this no-bake graveyard dessert is so easy; even your little ones can help. Crisp cookie tombstones top this unique Halloween graveyard dip, making a perfect dessert for a Halloween Potluck or a fun after-school snack.
Jump to:
Why this recipe is a keeper:
- It’s so easy it’s the perfect recipe for your children to make.
- Besides being delicious, it will bring a smile to both your big and little kids’ faces.
- Did I mention it is a no-bake treat and only takes fifteen minutes to prepare?
Ingredient notes and substitutions:
Specific measurements are in the recipe below.
- Cream cheese & butter – provide the base of the cheesecake graveyard dessert. Ensure both are at room temperature so your dip will be smooth and creamy.
- Cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and brown sugar – add a deep chocolate flavor to the dip.
- Vanilla extract and kosher salt – enhance all of the flavors.
- Milk – helps to smooth the dip out.
- Oreo cookies – or another chocolate sandwich cookie for the dirt,
- Black decorating icing – to write RIP on the Milano gravestones. You can purchase this in small tubes next to the canned icing in your grocery store. (not pictured)
- Milano cookies – or another oval vanilla cookie for the tombstones. Nutter Butter Cookies also work.
- Misc Halloween candy – I used candy corn and candy pumpkins. I’m also a big fan of “googly eyes,” which are close to the black decorating icing at most grocery stores. But feel free to get creative.
- For dipping – graham crackers, vanilla wafers, gingersnaps, or apple slices all work well. (not pictured)
How to make Halloween Graveyard Chocolate Cheesecake Dip:
- When ready to make this Halloween graveyard dessert, gather the ingredients and have everything prepped and measured.
- Add the cream cheese and butter to a medium-size bowl. Use an electric mixer and beat until smooth.
- Add cocoa powder and beat until it is incorporated.
- Add brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and milk. Beat until the mixture is smooth.
- Sift in the powdered sugar, a half cup at a time, beating after each addition.
- Once all powdered sugar has been incorporated, turn your mixer to high and beat until the mixture is light and creamy.
- Transfer the mixture to a small serving dish and smooth the top.
- Add whole Oreo cookies to a heavy-duty plastic storage bag. Use the heel of your hand or a rolling pin to crush the cookies until they are in small pieces. (Don’t worry about the icing; it will incorporate into the crumbs.)
- To form the dirt, spread the crushed Oreos over the top of the dip. Use a small tube of black decorating icing to write the words “RIP” on the Milano cookies and insert them into the dip to form “tombstones.”
- Scatter candy corn and candy pumpkins around and add googly eyes if you have them.
- Serve with graham crackers, gingersnaps, vanilla wafers or apple slices for dipping.
What to serve with this Halloween dessert?
For a Halloween party, check out my adorable Halloween Meringue Ghosts, Halloween Spooky Spider Deviled Eggs, or Easy Halloween Jalapeño Mummies.
I also have a delicious adult punch recipe, Witches Brew-Halloween Punch.
Besides this recipe, my Easy Halloween Black Forest Trifle and my Chocolate Halloween Cupcakes and Icing make perfect desserts for Halloween.
Or, if you need even more Halloween recipes or menu ideas, check out my post, 50 Halloween Potluck Ideas featuring Halloween party food, snacks, treats, and desserts for kids and adults.
Spooky recipe variations:
- Ghosts in the Graveyard Dessert: Add some Peep ghosts on top of your crushed Oreos
- Graveyard Dessert Cups: Instead of putting your dip in one dish, use small, disposable, clear plastic cups to make individual servings.
- Oreo Cheesecake Dip: Drizzle caramel sauce over the crushed Oreos to create the illusion of freshly dug earth in your graveyard. It not only adds flavor but also enhances the spooky aesthetic.
- Monster Mash-Up: Add a mixture of mini chocolate chips, crushed peanut butter cups, and chopped nuts for a monster mash-up of textures and flavors.
- Haunted Fruit: Serve your cheesecake dip with various Halloween-themed dippers such as apple slices (with vampire teeth marks), bat-shaped cookies, or ghost-shaped marshmallows.
- Boozy Brew: For an adult twist, you can incorporate a splash of your favorite liqueur like Baileys, Kahlua, or Irish cream for a more grown-up Halloween treat.
- Wormy Wonders: Place gummy worms or other creepy-crawly gummies on top of the dip to give it a truly eerie appearance.
Make it ahead:
This cheesecake dip may be made and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
If you are making it ahead, wait to add the Milano cookies, candy corn, and pumpkins until you are ready to serve it. Otherwise, the cookies will get soft in the fridge, and the candy will melt all over your “dirt.”
Storing leftovers:
Remove any candy and the cookie gravestones and store them separately. Leftover dip can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or an airtight container to maintain freshness.
I do not recommend freezing this dessert.
Recipe FAQs:
It’s not recommended to freeze this dip as cream cheese-based dips can separate and become watery when thawed, affecting the texture and flavor.
You can make this dip gluten-free by using gluten-free Oreos and substituting gluten-free cookies for the gravestones. Additionally, be sure that any dippers or decorative candies are certified gluten-free.
You can use a variety of dippers, such as graham crackers, chocolate cookies, pretzels, apple slices, banana slices, or even marshmallows. Choose dippers that you and your family will enjoy.
No, it will incorporate into the cookie crumbs and you will never know it’s there.
Expert tips and tricks:
- Ensure that the cream cheese and butter are fully softened at room temperature. This will make it easier to blend and result in a smoother dip. You can microwave it in 10-15 second bursts if it’s too firm.
- Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until it’s smooth and lump-free. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
- You can use any Halloween themed candy to decorate your graveyard, and this is a fun activity for the kids.
- Add the graveyard decorations and toppings just before serving to ensure they look their best and maintain their texture.
- A shallow bowl or dish works best with this dip. I used a small gratin baking dish.
More Halloween treats:
Here is a link to all of my Halloween recipes and menu ideas if you need more inspiration.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ If you make this dish, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!
Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones; I hope you come back soon!
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Halloween Graveyard Chocolate Cheesecake Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 5 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups confectioners powdered sugar
- 10 Oreo cookies, crushed
- 4 Milano cookies
- 1 small tube of black decorating icing
- assorted Halloween candy and googly eyes
Instructions
- Add cream cheese and butter to a medium-size bowl. Using your electric mixer, beat until smooth. Add cocoa powder and beat until it is incorporated.
- Add the brown sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and milk. Beat until the mixture is smooth.
- Sift in powdered sugar, a half cup at a time, beating after each addition. Once all powdered sugar has been incorporated, turn your mixer to high and beat until the mixture is light and creamy.
- Transfer the cheesecake mixture to a small shallow serving dish and smooth the top.
- Place whole Oreo cookies in a heavy-duty plastic storage bag and using the heel of your hand or a rolling pin gently crush the cookies until they are in small pieces. Spread the crushed Oreos over the top of the dip evenly to form the dirt
- Use a small tube of black decorating icing to write the words "RIP" on the Milano cookies and insert them into the dip to form "tombstones." Scatter candy corn and or candy pumpkins around, and add googly eyes.
- Serve with graham crackers, gingersnaps, vanilla wafers or apple slices for dipping.
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