Spooky Spider Cookies

These Spooky Spider Cookies are an easy and fun Halloween treat! They look creepy with their chocolate ‘spider bodies’ and candy eyes, but taste like pure chocolate peanut butter bliss. Perfect for parties, bake sales, or a fun weekend activity with kids.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients

1 cup butter softened
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup cocoa powder
Mini peanut butter cups Reese’s or similar
Candy eyes
Melted chocolate or black icing for “legs”

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

Cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth.
Add eggs and vanilla. Mix until fully blended.
Stir in flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Mix until you have a soft dough.
If you want your cookies extra chewy, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.

Step 2: Bake the Cookies

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll dough into small balls (about 1 tablespoon each).
Place on a lined baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges set.
Let cookies cool for 2–3 minutes, but don’t move them yet. You’ll add the “spiders” while they’re still warm.

Step 3: Add the Peanut Butter Cup Body

Unwrap mini peanut butter cups.
Gently press one into the center of each warm cookie.
Let cool completely before decorating.
If the peanut butter cups start to melt, chill the cookies in the fridge for 10–15 minutes.

Step 4: Make the Spider Legs and Eyes

Melt a small amount of chocolate or use black writing icing.
Use a piping bag (or zip bag with a tiny corner cut) to draw eight legs around each peanut butter cup.
Add two candy eyes on the peanut butter cup top using a dab of melted chocolate as glue.
Let everything set before stacking or storing.

Video

Notes

Peanut Butter Cups: Mini peanut butter cups work best for creating the “spider bodies.” Chill them before adding so they hold their shape.
Spider Legs: Use melted chocolate or chocolate icing in a piping bag to draw the legs. You can also use thin licorice strings for a fun twist.
Eyes: Candy eyes add a spooky touch! If you don’t have them, use small white chocolate dots with mini chocolate chips as pupils.
Cookie Base: Any chewy chocolate cookie works great. You can use homemade or store-bought for an easy shortcut.
Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Serving Idea: Perfect for Halloween parties, bake sales, or spooky movie nights — they’re cute, creepy, and delicious!

🍽️ Nutrition Facts (Per Cookie)

Keyword Spooky Spider Cookies