Adorably Spooky Peanut Butter Spider Cookies for Halloween

Sharing is caring!

Adorably Spooky Peanut Butter Spider Cookies for Halloween

Adorably Spooky Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are the perfect treat for Halloween, combining delightful flavors and a fun, thematic presentation. This recipe is designed to be simple and approachable, making it perfect for bakers of all levels. With easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, you’ll find that these cookies are not only delicious but also a hit with family and friends. Create a spooky atmosphere this Halloween with these charming cookies that are sure to impress!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are a fantastic choice for several reasons. First, they boast a rich peanut butter flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of chocolate and candy. Secondly, they are incredibly easy to prepare, allowing you to whip them up quickly even on a busy Halloween night. Finally, this recipe is a family-friendly activity! Get the kids involved in decorating the spider cookies for a fun, creative experience that brings everyone together to celebrate the spooky season.

Ingredients

To create these adorable treats, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• Granulated sugar, for rolling
• 24 Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, unwrapped and frozen
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, for melting
• Candy eyeballs, for decorating

These ingredients come together to create a delightful combination of flavors and textures, ensuring that each cookie is bursting with yummy goodness.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Unwrap the Mini Reese’s Cups: Begin by unwrapping the mini Reese’s cups and placing them in the freezer. This will help them maintain their shape when pressed into the warm cookies.

2. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial for ensuring even baking and achieving that perfect cookie texture.

3. Beat the Butters and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, beat together the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This helps create a great foundation for the cookies.

4. Add Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla: Mix in the creamy peanut butter, large egg, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined. The peanut butter is the star of the show, providing that rich and nutty flavor.

5. Add Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually stir this dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!

6. Scoop and Roll the Dough: Scoop the cookie dough and roll it into balls. Once rolled, coat each ball in granulated sugar for an extra sweet, sparkly finish. Place them on a lined baking sheet, making sure to leave some space between them.

7. Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 8-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are lightly golden. The cookies will continue to firm up after you remove them from the oven.

8. Add the Mini Reese’s: Right after taking the cookies out of the oven, press a frozen mini Reese’s cup into the center of each cookie. This creates a deliciously gooey center that contrasts perfectly with the crispy cookie edges.

9. Melt the Chocolate Chips: While the cookies cool, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl or over a double boiler. Stir until smooth and make sure to let it cool slightly for easier handling.

10. Create Spider Legs: Using the melted chocolate, pipe spider legs onto each cookie. You can be as creative as you like; the more leggy, the spookier!

11. Add Candy Eyeballs: Finally, attach candy eyeballs to the top of the melted chocolate on each cookie to complete the look. Allow everything to set before serving, so the chocolate hardens enough to keep the spiders intact.

These Adorably Spooky Peanut Butter Spider Cookies not only bring a festive feel to your Halloween celebrations, but they also fill your home with the delicious scent of fresh cookies.

Tips & Tricks

• Make sure your butter is at room temperature to ensure that it creams well with the sugars, creating a light and fluffy mixture.
• For an added touch, you can mix in some crunchy peanut butter if you love a little texture in your cookies!
• If you don’t have candy eyeballs, you can use chocolate chips or M&Ms as substitutes.
• To avoid stickiness while rolling the dough, wet your hands slightly with water before rolling the dough into balls.
• Chill the cookie dough for about 15 to 30 minutes before baking for even thicker cookies!

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Serve your Adorably Spooky Peanut Butter Spider Cookies alongside a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of hot cocoa for the ultimate treat. These cookies are perfect for Halloween parties, classroom treats, or just a spooky family night in. Consider pairing them with other themed treats like Pumpkin Spice Brownies or Ghostly Meringue Cookies for a frightfully delightful dessert table.

Nutritional Information

While it’s important to enjoy these cookies in moderation, here’s a quick breakdown of the approximate nutritional information per cookie (assuming 24 cookies):

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 15mg
• Sodium: 90mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 8g

Note: Nutritional values may vary based on specific brands and ingredient variations.

Storing Tips & Variations for Adorably Spooky Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, although they are best enjoyed fresh. If you want to keep them for an extended period, consider freezing them. Place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will last up to three months in the freezer.

If you want to experiment with flavors, consider adding chocolate chips to the dough for an extra chocolaty treat or even substituting some of the peanut butter for almond or cashew butter for a fun twist.

Conclusion

Adorably Spooky Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are a whimsical and delightful treat that everyone will enjoy. With their fun decorating style and delicious flavor, they’re sure to become a favorite in any household come Halloween. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready for a fun baking experience that will bring smiles to faces young and old. Try making these cookies for your next Halloween celebration, and watch as they quickly disappear!

FAQs

1. Can I make the cookie dough in advance?
   Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to three days before baking.

2. Can I use other types of candy for decorating?
   Absolutely! You can use gummy worms, fruit snacks, or any other candy you think would make a fun embellishment.

3. What can I use instead of Mini Reese’s Cups?
   If you don’t have Mini Reese’s Cups, consider using chocolate-covered caramel candies or any chocolate candy that you can press into the cookie.

4. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
   Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that can be used for baking.

5. How do I make these cookies more festive?
   You can add orange or black sprinkles before baking, or ice the cookies with orange or green frosting for a fun touch!

Enjoy the baking fun and the festive season with these Adorably Spooky Peanut Butter Spider Cookies!

Adorably Spooky Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

These delightful Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are a fun and festive treat for Halloween, featuring a rich peanut butter flavor and charming spider decorations.

• Author: catherine
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 11 minutes
• Total Time: 26 minutes
• Yield: 24 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• Granulated sugar, for rolling
• 24 Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, unwrapped and frozen
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, for melting
• Candy eyeballs, for decorating

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Unwrap the Mini Reese’s Cups and place them in the freezer.
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
3. In a mixing bowl, beat together the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
4. Mix in the creamy peanut butter, large egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
5. In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually stir this into the wet mixture until just combined.
6. Scoop cookie dough and roll into balls, coating each in granulated sugar.
7. Place on a lined baking sheet and bake for 8-11 minutes until edges are set and tops are lightly golden.
8. Press a frozen Reese’s cup into the center of each cookie right after baking.
9. Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips and pipe spider legs onto each cookie.
10. Attach candy eyeballs to each cookie and let it set before serving.

Notes

For best results, ensure butter is at room temperature. Chill dough for thicker cookies.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 90mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 15mg

Sharing is caring!