Halloween Spider Cookies have always been my favorite Halloween party treat. I remember the first time I made them for a school event, the kids’ faces lit up when they saw the googly eyes and chocolate legs crawling off each cookie. These peanut butter Halloween spider cookies are not only fun but also incredibly tasty, with a chewy, nutty base and a chocolate truffle body that makes every bite feel extra indulgent. Ready in under 40 minutes, they’re the perfect mix of spooky and sweet. If you’ve been searching for the best spider cookies or easy Halloween treats, this recipe is the one.
The Story & Flavor of Spider Cookies
Nostalgic Halloween Baking
When Halloween rolls around, I can’t resist making spider cookies. They combine my love for classic peanut butter cookies with a playful twist that kids adore. Back in college, I learned how to make spooky peanut butter cookies by experimenting with leftover truffles and frosting. The result was so much fun that I never stopped baking them each October.
Why Spider Cookies Are Special
Spider cookies stand out from regular kids’ Halloween cookies because they’re not just about taste—they’re about creativity. With their chocolate candy bodies and candy eyes, they bring excitement to any Halloween dessert table. They’re also easy Halloween treats for beginners, making them ideal for parties, school events, or just a fun family night. If you like themed desserts like creepy crunchy monster candy bark or pumpkin s’mores cookies, you’ll love this recipe.
Ingredients & Step-by-Step Guide
Key Ingredients for Spider Cookies
You don’t need anything fancy to make these chocolate spider cookies. The main ingredients are pantry staples—shortening, peanut butter, sugars, flour, and chocolate truffles. Optional add-ins like sprinkles or spider web cookies designs can add even more fun for parties.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Shortening | ½ cup |
| Peanut Butter | ½ cup |
| Brown Sugar | ½ cup (packed) |
| White Sugar | ½ cup + ¼ cup for rolling |
| Egg | 1 large, beaten |
| Milk | 2 tablespoons |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Flour | 1 ¾ cups all-purpose |
| Baking Soda | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Chocolate Truffles | 24 Lindt Lindor spheres, cold |
| Candy Eyeballs | 48 |
| Chocolate Frosting | ½ cup |
Baking Instructions
Prep the Dough: Cream shortening, peanut butter, and sugars until smooth. Add egg, milk, and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt until dough forms.
Shape & Roll: Form 48 small balls and roll in sugar. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
Bake: Bake at 375°F for 10–12 minutes. Press a dimple in the center of each cookie. Cool completely.
Assemble Spiders: Cut chocolate truffles in half and place one on each cookie. Use frosting to attach candy eyes and pipe spider legs. Let harden for 30 minutes before serving.
For more seasonal treats, try pumpkin fudge or pumpkin oatmeal cream pies.
Pro Tips, Variations & Serving Ideas
Tips for Perfect Spider Cookies
- Keep chocolate truffles refrigerated until use for clean cuts.
- Pipe legs in thin lines so they set faster.
- Don’t skip rolling in sugar—it adds sparkle and crunch.
- Let cookies cool fully before adding truffles to avoid melting.
Fun Variations
- Monster Cookies Halloween: Add candy pieces for colorful, monster-like spiders.
- Spider Web Cookies: Use white icing to pipe webs under the spiders.
- Peanut Butter Blossom Spiders: Swap truffles for peanut butter cups for a twist on the classic blossom cookie.
Serve these cookies with apple cider or hot chocolate. They also look great alongside pumpkin cheesecake cookie or pumpkin chocolate chip cookies at a party.
Storage, Nutrition & Halloween Party Use
Storage & Leftovers
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze undecorated cookies for 2 months. Add spiders after thawing.
- Reheat: Warm briefly in the microwave before serving if desired.
Calories: 140 | Carbs: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Sodium: 95mg
These easy Halloween treats fit perfectly into dessert tables. Pair them with themed goodies like pumpkin spice sandwich cookies or festive cake pops for a creative Halloween cookies spread.
FAQs
What is a spider cookie?
A spider cookie is a peanut butter or chocolate cookie decorated with candy truffles, candy eyes, and frosting legs to resemble a spider.
What are the 10 most popular cookies?
Chocolate chip, sugar, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, snickerdoodle, shortbread, gingerbread, molasses, macaron, and biscotti are among the top choices.
What are other names for spider cookies?
They’re often called Halloween spider cookies, chocolate spider cookies, or peanut butter blossom spiders.
Why are Maryland cookies so good?
Maryland cookies are crunchy and packed with chocolate chips, giving them a nostalgic, satisfying bite that’s different from chewy American-style cookies.
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Conclusion
Now you know how to make spider cookies that are spooky, fun, and delicious. With their peanut butter base and chocolate spider bodies, they’re the ultimate Halloween party cookies. Whether you’re baking with kids or preparing creative Halloween cookies for guests, these treats will always bring smiles. Have you tried spider cookies yet? Share your twist in the comments, pin this recipe, and spread the Halloween cheer.
Print
Spider Cookies – Ultimate 40-Minute Halloween Peanut Butter Recipe Kids Adore
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Spooky peanut butter spider cookies topped with chocolate truffles and candy eyes. Perfect for Halloween parties and fun baking with kids.
Ingredients
½ cup shortening
½ cup peanut butter
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
1 large egg, beaten
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup white sugar for rolling
24 chocolate candy spheres (such as Lindt Lindor Truffles), chilled
48 candy eyeballs
½ cup prepared chocolate frosting
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment.
2. Beat shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Add egg, milk, and vanilla.
3. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until dough forms.
4. Shape dough into 48 balls, roll in sugar, and place 2 inches apart on sheets.
5. Bake 10–12 minutes until golden. Press a dimple in each cookie while warm. Cool completely.
6. Cut truffles in half and place one piece on each cookie.
7. Use frosting to attach candy eyes and pipe spider legs. Let set for 30 minutes.
Notes
Keep chocolate truffles chilled until ready to use for cleaner cuts.
Decorate only after cookies have cooled fully to avoid melting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Spider Cookies, Halloween Spider Cookies, Peanut Butter Blossom Spiders, Chocolate Spider Cookies