Get ready to spook up your Halloween celebrations with these fun and delicious Peanut Butter Spider Cookies! Perfect for parties or as a festive treat, these cookies combine the creamy richness of peanut butter with a playful spider-themed decoration that’s sure to delight kids and adults alike.
Ingredients:
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
24 mini Reese’s cups
24 chocolate melts or chocolate chips (for spider bodies)
48 candy eyes
Chocolate frosting (for legs)
Directions:
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Shape and Bake the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and immediately press a mini Reese’s cup into the center of each cookie. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate the Spiders: Once the cookies are completely cool, melt the chocolate melts or chips and place a small dollop on top of each Reese’s cup. Attach two candy eyes to each dollop of melted chocolate. Use chocolate frosting to pipe eight legs on each side of the Reese’s cup, creating a spider-like appearance.
Serve: Serve these adorable Peanut Butter Spider Cookies at your next Halloween party or festive gathering and watch them disappear in no time!
Serving Tips:
Presentation:
For a festive touch, arrange the cookies on a Halloween-themed platter or tray.
Consider adding some spooky decorations around the cookies, such as plastic spiders or Halloween confetti, to enhance the theme.
Pairings:
These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of milk, hot chocolate, or even a pumpkin spice latte.
For a fun party idea, serve them alongside other Halloween-themed treats like “witches’ brew” punch or “mummy” cupcakes.
Temperature:
Serve the cookies at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. If you’ve just baked them, allow them to cool completely before serving to ensure they are set and the decorations are firm.
Storage Tips:
Short-Term Storage:
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 5-7 days.
To prevent the cookies from sticking together, you can place a layer of parchment paper between the layers in the container.
Long-Term Storage:
If you need to keep the cookies for a longer period, they can be frozen. Place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, separating layers with parchment paper.
Freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply remove from the freezer and let them come to room temperature before serving.
Storage with Decorations:
If you plan to store cookies with the spider decorations, be cautious as the candy eyes and chocolate frosting may become soft or smeared. It’s often best to decorate the cookies just before serving if you are storing them for an extended period.
Reheating:
If you prefer your cookies slightly warm, reheat them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes. This will help revive their freshly baked texture without melting the decorations.
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FAQs:
Can I use natural peanut butter for these cookies?
Yes, you can use natural peanut butter, but be aware that it may affect the texture of the cookies. Natural peanut butter tends to be more oily and may require a slight adjustment to the flour amount to achieve the right consistency. Stir the peanut butter well before using it to ensure it’s evenly mixed.
Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the dough. Roll the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, bake the frozen dough balls straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
To make these Peanut Butter Spider Cookies gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend you use includes xanthan gum or guar gum, which helps mimic the texture of regular flour. Ensure all other ingredients, like baking soda and chocolate, are also gluten-free.
Can I use different candies for the spider decoration?
Yes, you can get creative with your spider decorations! Instead of mini Reese’s cups, you can use other small chocolate candies or even cookie-sized chocolates. For the spider bodies, you could use chocolate chips or small candy balls. Just make sure to use something that will stay in place and not melt too quickly.
Conclusion:
These Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are a perfect blend of spooky and sweet, making them an irresistible treat for any Halloween occasion. Enjoy baking and decorating these fun cookies with family and friends!
📖 Recipe:
Print
Peanut Butter Spider Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight your guests this Halloween with Peanut Butter Spider Cookies, a fun and spooky treat featuring creamy peanut butter cookies topped with chocolate spiders. Perfect for Halloween parties or a festive dessert, these cookies are easy to make and deliciously fun for all ages.
Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
24 mini Reese’s cups
24 chocolate melts or chocolate chips (for spider bodies)
48 candy eyes
Chocolate frosting (for legs)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: Cream together the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
- Shape and Bake the Cookies: Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Press a mini Reese’s cup into the center of each cookie while still warm. Cool on a wire rack.
- Decorate the Spiders: Once cookies are cool, melt chocolate melts or chips and place a dollop on each Reese’s cup. Attach candy eyes. Pipe chocolate frosting legs on each side of the Reese’s cup to create a spider.
Notes
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months.
Decoration: Decorate cookies just before serving to keep the candy eyes and frosting legs fresh.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24 cookies
- Calories: 180 kcal per cookie
