Spider Cookies: A Fun and Spooky Treat for Halloween and Beyond
Simple peanut butter dough becomes cute, chocolate-decorated critters with minimal mess.
Spider Cookies: A Festive and Easy Halloween Baking Project
Looking for a spooky, delicious treat to whip up for Halloween parties, fall gatherings, or fun baking with kids? Spider cookies—chewy peanut butter cookies decorated with chocolate candy and icing to look like little spiders—are as adorable as they are tasty. This crowd-pleasing recipe features a tender, melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter base and irresistibly cute chocolate decorations for a treat that’s sure to delight both young and old. Whether you’re hunting for festive party snacks or want an interactive family baking project, spider cookies are the answer!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Adorable and Spooky: Their playful appearance makes them a favorite at Halloween parties.
- Easy to Make: Simple techniques and classic cookie ingredients come together quickly.
- Perfect for Kids: Decorating the cookies is a fun, creative activity for little hands.
- Customizable: Use different candies and colors for spiders to suit your taste or occasion.
What Are Spider Cookies?
Spider cookies start with a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie base. After baking, each cookie is decorated with a mini peanut butter cup as the spider’s body, a chocolate-covered peanut or raisin for the head, and legs drawn on with store-bought gel icing. The combination of classic peanut butter flavor and chocolate candies creates a treat that’s as irresistible as it is eye-catching.
Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Creamy peanut butter | 1 cup |
| Vegetable shortening | 1/2 cup |
| Softened butter | 1/4 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Light brown sugar (packed) | 1/2 cup |
| Large egg | 1 |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| Baking soda | 1 tsp |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp |
| Miniature peanut butter cups (ex: Reese’s Mini’s) | 20 |
| Chocolate covered peanuts or raisins | 20 |
| Black or brown writing gel icing | as needed |
Ingredient Tips
- Creamy peanut butter: Stick with creamy rather than chunky peanut butter for the best texture. Chunky peanut butter can make the dough too crumbly and hard to shape.
- Vegetable shortening: This helps create a soft, tender texture while keeping the cookies thick and chewy.
- Candies: Mini peanut butter cups form the spider’s body; chocolate-covered peanuts or raisins act as the head.
- Writing gel: Found in the baking aisle, this makes drawing legs on the spiders easy and mess-free.
How to Make Spider Cookies: Step-by-Step Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the creamy peanut butter, vegetable shortening, softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy—about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add egg & vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine wet & dry: With your mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture. Mix until the dough is evenly combined.
- Portion the dough: Scoop dough into 20 even portions (each about 2 packed tablespoons). Roll each into a ball, then slightly flatten with your palm. Arrange on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
- Add thumbprints: Press your thumb into the center of each ball, creating a small indentation. This helps hold the peanut butter cup after baking.
- Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through. Cookies should be set but still soft in the middle.
- Decorate while warm: As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, gently press a peanut butter cup just below the center of each cookie—it will melt slightly and stick as it cools. Place a chocolate-covered peanut or raisin on top of each peanut butter cup to form the spider’s head.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Add legs: Once cooled, use black or brown writing gel to pipe eight legs from each spider’s body out across the cookie. Allow the icing to set before serving.
Tips for Success and Creative Variations
- Flatten before baking: Don’t skip the step of flattening and indenting the dough. Peanut butter cookie dough is dense and needs shaping for even baking and the right look.
- Decorate while warm: Pressing the candies in while the cookies are hot helps the ‘spider bodies’ stick and look seamless.
- Customize your spiders: Try different candies for the body and head—malted milk balls, chocolate truffles, or even marshmallows for the body, and mini chocolate chips or M&Ms for the head. Use colored gel for more whimsical spiders.
- Chill the dough: For even thicker cookies, chill the dough balls for about 15 minutes before baking.
- Make-ahead and storage: These cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to three days in an airtight container. They can also be frozen (before decorating) for longer storage; thaw and decorate before serving.
Storage and Make-Ahead Advice
Store decorated spider cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you need to prepare them in advance, bake and cool the cookies, but wait to add the gel icing until a few hours before serving for the best look and texture.
What others are reading
Freezing Tips
- Freeze dough: Roll the dough balls, then freeze unbaked on a tray. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag and bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 2-3 minutes to the bake time.
- Freeze cookies: Baked cookies (without decoration) can be frozen in airtight layers. Thaw fully, then decorate.
Common Questions About Spider Cookies
What happens if you don’t flatten peanut butter cookie dough?
The dough is dense and, if not flattened, will bake up into round balls that don’t spread much or bake evenly. Flattening and making a thumbprint ensures the cookies bake properly and are ready for the spider body to nestle in.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Creamy peanut butter is best for this recipe, as crunchy tends to make the cookies crumbly and harder to shape or decorate.
What kind of gel icing works best?
Look for black or brown gel icing used for cake decorating, available in most baking aisles. It sets quickly and is easy to pipe for precise spider legs.
Can I use different candies for the spiders?
Absolutely! Mini malt balls, chocolate-covered caramels, or truffles all make great ‘spider bodies.’ For the heads, try chocolate chips, regular raisins, or even candy eyes for a more playful look.
How do I transport spider cookies?
Once the icing legs are set, lay cookies in a single layer in a lidded container. Use layers of wax or parchment paper to separate stacks if necessary for safe transport.
Serving Suggestions and Occasions
- Halloween parties: Place on a spooky platter, or use as edible decorations on a dessert table.
- Children’s gatherings: Let kids help with decorating for a hands-on baking activity.
- School treats: Send in a batch for class celebrations (if allowed by school policies).
- Gift giving: Package in clear bags tied with orange and black ribbon for a festive homemade gift.
Fun Decorating Variations
- Edible eyes: Use small store-bought candy eyes instead of chocolate chips for a more cartoonish effect.
- Legs with chocolate: Instead of gel, pipe melted dark or milk chocolate for extra flavor.
- Colorful legs: For a whimsical spin, use multiple colors of icing for fun, goofy spiders.
Expert Baking Tips
- Measure flour by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off for the right texture (never scoop directly from the bag).
- If you want rounder cookies with a soft center, make sure not to overbake—they continue to set as they cool.
- Rotate sheets halfway through to ensure even baking, as oven heat can vary.
Nutrition Information
Spider cookies are a fun treat best enjoyed in moderation. Because of peanut butter and chocolate, they are rich and satisfying. For exact nutrition information, use a recipe nutrition calculator based on your specific ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are peanut butter spider cookies safe for nut-free environments?
A: No. Due to both peanut butter and chocolate candies, this recipe is not suitable for those with nut allergies. For a nut-free version, substitute sunflower seed butter and nut-free chocolate candies (if available).
Q: Can I make spider cookies gluten-free?
A: Yes! Substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for regular flour—make sure it’s a 1:1 substitute and check that your candies are gluten-free.
Q: How do I stop the cookies from crumbling?
A: Use creamy peanut butter and do not overbake. Proper creaming of fats and sugars, plus generous but not excessive flour, helps prevent dryness.
Q: Can I use other colors for spider decorations?
A: Of course! Use orange, green, or purple gel icing to give spiders a magical Halloween touch or match your party theme.
Celebrate With Spider Cookies
These chewy, irresistible peanut butter spider cookies are more than just a Halloween gimmick—they’re a creative way to bring family and friends together in the kitchen. With rich flavor, playful decorations, and endless customizing options, they’re destined to be a favorite for years to come. Whether you bake them once a year or just for fun, spider cookies are sure to leave a lasting (and delicious) impression!
References
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a37002555/spider-cookies-recipe/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxPhXEr96Ic
- https://marrykitchen.com/pioneer-woman-spider-cookies-recipe/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgSlaHoWt94
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g36866250/halloween-cookies/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g36875717/fall-cookies/
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