Spider Cookies: 12 Easy Spooky Delights

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Spider cookies have become my absolute favorite treat to whip up when Halloween rolls around. I remember my mom making them when I was little, and the sheer delight of those spooky little creatures appearing on a plate was magical. The smell of peanut butter and warm sugar filling the kitchen always signaled that fun was about to begin. These Halloween spider cookies are not only adorable but surprisingly simple to make, making them the perfect activity for a chilly afternoon. Seriously, if you’re looking for an easy spider cookies recipe that will impress everyone, you’ve found it. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love These Spider Cookies

Get ready to fall in love with these fun Halloween treats! They’re:

Incredibly delicious with a perfect balance of sweet peanut butter and rich chocolate.
Super quick to make, with a total time under an hour, making them ideal for busy schedules.
A fantastic family-friendly activity that kids adore, resulting in the cutest spider cookies.
Budget-friendly, as they use common pantry staples you likely already have.
A guaranteed hit at any Halloween party, bringing smiles and spooky delight.
So easy to customize, you can create your very own unique cute spider cookies.
A deliciously spooky way to celebrate the season without any complicated steps.

Ingredients for Spider Cookies

Gather these simple ingredients to create your spooky chocolate spider cookies:

½ cup shortening – provides a tender crumb
½ cup peanut butter – the base for our delicious cookie dough
½ cup packed brown sugar – adds moisture and a caramel note
½ cup white sugar – for sweetness and crisp edges
1 large egg, beaten – binds everything together
2 tablespoons milk – adds extra moisture to the dough
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – for that classic sweet aroma
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour – the structure of our cookies
1 teaspoon baking soda – helps them rise
½ teaspoon salt – balances the sweetness
¼ cup white sugar for rolling – creates a lovely sugary coating
24 chocolate candy spheres (such as Lindt Lindor Truffles), chilled – the perfect “body” for our spiders
48 candy eyeballs – to give our spiders their creepy stare
½ cup prepared chocolate frosting – our edible glue for attaching eyes and piping legs

How to Make Spider Cookies

Let’s dive into making these fun Halloween spider cookies from scratch! It’s a straightforward process that yields incredibly cute results.

Step 1: Get your oven ready by preheating it to 375°F (190°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper so your cookies don’t stick.
Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until the mixture is wonderfully smooth and fluffy. This is where the magic starts for your spider cookies from scratch!
Step 3: Beat in the large egg, followed by the milk and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well combined and smells amazing.
Step 4: Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your cookies tough.
Step 5: Shape the dough into approximately 48 little balls. Roll each ball generously in the ¼ cup of white sugar you set aside. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each one.
Step 6: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. As soon as they come out of the oven, gently press a dimple into the center of each cookie with your thumb or the back of a spoon. This is your spider’s body cavity!
Step 7: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step is crucial before decorating your spider cookies from scratch.
Step 8: Once the cookies are totally cool, take your chilled chocolate candy spheres (like Lindt Lindor Truffles) and carefully cut each one in half. Place one half into the dimple of each cookie.
Step 9: Now for the fun decorating! Use your prepared chocolate frosting as “glue” to attach two candy eyeballs to each chocolate truffle half. Then, get creative and pipe on eight little legs using the remaining frosting. Let the frosting set for about 30 minutes before serving your spooky spider cookies.

Spider Cookies Decorating Techniques

Adding the final spooky touches to your spider cookies is where the real fun begins! Here are some expert tips to make your creations truly stand out:

Chill your chocolate truffles before cutting them for cleaner halves, which makes for a neater spider body.
Use a piping bag with a small round tip for the frosting legs – this gives you much more control than a spoon or knife.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with the number of legs or their placement; spiders aren’t perfectly symmetrical!
For extra flair, you can add a tiny dot of white frosting or a sprinkle to the center of the candy eyeballs to make them pop.

What’s the secret to perfect spider cookies?

The secret to truly amazing spider cookies lies in the dough texture and the careful decorating. Using chilled truffle halves and a steady hand with the spider cookies with icing ensures they look professionally done, even if you’re a beginner!

Can I make spider cookies ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the cookie bases a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Just add the chocolate truffle bodies and decorate with frosting and candy eyes closer to serving time to keep everything looking fresh.

How do I avoid common mistakes with spider cookies?

A common pitfall is overmixing the dough, which can lead to tough cookies. Also, ensure your cookies are completely cool before adding the chocolate truffle bodies and frosting; otherwise, the chocolate will melt and make a mess!

Best Ways to Serve Spider Cookies

These spooky delights are perfect for any Halloween gathering! For a truly festive spread, arrange your spider cookies for Halloween alongside other seasonal treats like pumpkin bread or caramel apples.

They also make a fantastic addition to a Halloween party dessert table. Imagine a platter filled with these adorable creatures, perhaps with some “graveyard pudding” or “witch finger pretzels” nearby. For a fun twist, serve them with a glass of cold milk or a warm mug of spiced apple cider, which complements their sweet peanut butter flavor beautifully. These cookies are so charming, they practically decorate the table themselves!

Nutrition Facts for Spider Cookies

Here’s a look at the nutritional breakdown for each of these delightful Halloween spider cookies, serving as a general guide:

Calories: 140
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrates: 16g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 95mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used for your chocolate spider cookies.

How to Store and Reheat Spider Cookies

Once your adorable spider cookies have cooled completely, it’s time to think about storing them. To keep that spooky charm intact, place the decorated cookies in an airtight container. For short-term storage, they’ll stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days, which is perfect if you’re prepping for a party early. If you need to keep these Halloween spider cookies longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Wrap them well in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, you can either thaw them overnight in the fridge or gently reheat them. For a quick refresh, pop them in a low oven (around 300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes until they’re just warmed through, much like you might do with any cherished spiderweb cookie recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spider Cookies

What are spider cookies?

Essentially, spider cookies are a delightful type of cookie decorated to resemble spiders, most commonly associated with Halloween. They typically start with a simple cookie base, like a peanut butter cookie, which then gets adorned with chocolate truffle halves for the body and candy eyes, plus piped frosting for legs. They’re a fun, edible craft that brings a spooky touch to any celebration.

Why are they called spider cookies?

They’re named spider cookies quite literally because of their appearance! The combination of a round cookie base, a chocolate truffle body, candy eyes, and piped frosting legs creates a miniature spider that’s both cute and a little spooky. It’s a creative way to bring a Halloween theme to baking, making them instantly recognizable and a hit with kids and adults alike.

Can I make the cookie base for spider cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! The cookie dough bases can be made up to two days in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Just make sure they are completely cooled before storing. This makes decorating day much simpler, especially if you’re short on time. You can then add the chocolate truffle bodies and frosting legs just before serving for the freshest look.

What flavors pair well with spider cookies?

The classic peanut butter base of these Halloween spider cookies pairs wonderfully with milk, making it a perfect pairing for kids. For adults, a rich hot chocolate or a spiced apple cider complements the sweetness and chocolatey elements. You can also serve them alongside other fall-themed treats like pumpkin bars or caramel apples for a complete Halloween dessert spread.

Variations of Spider Cookies You Can Try

While the classic peanut butter version is fantastic, don’t be afraid to experiment with these fun Halloween spider cookies! You can easily adapt them to suit different tastes or dietary needs.

Gluten-Free Spider Cookies: Simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The texture remains wonderfully similar, ensuring everyone can enjoy these Halloween spider cookies.
Vegan Spider Cookies: Use a vegan butter substitute for the shortening and a plant-based milk. For the “body,” try vegan chocolate truffles or even chocolate-covered raisins. Ensure your frosting and candy eyes are also vegan-friendly.
No-Bake Spider Cookies: For a quicker, no-bake option, you can use crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers mixed with peanut butter and a binder like condensed milk. Shape them, add the chocolate truffle “bodies,” and decorate as usual.
Chocolate Spider Cookies: Enhance the chocolate flavor by using a chocolate cookie base. You can add cocoa powder to the dough or use a chocolate truffle for the body. This variation makes for an even richer, decadent treat.