Spooky-Fun Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe for Halloween

Sweet and spooky peanut butter spider cookies weave magic into Halloween dessert traditions.

Creepy crawly treats bring playful giggles to any festive gathering.

Kids absolutely adore these whimsical eight-legged confections that look almost too cute to eat.

Chocolate legs and candy eyes transform simple cookies into delightful edible creatures.

Baking becomes an adventure when you craft these deliciously scary desserts.

Crafting these adorable arachnid-inspired sweets promises memorable moments of shared laughter and creativity.

Jump into this delightful recipe and watch your kitchen come alive with Halloween spirit!

Why Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Are Spooky And Sweet

• Craft Creative Halloween Treats: Transform ordinary cookies into spooky spider-themed desserts that spark imagination and delight kids and adults alike.
• Master Simple Decorating Skills: Learn easy piping techniques using chocolate to create intricate spider designs without advanced baking expertise.
• Perfect Party Showstopper: Impress guests with visually stunning cookies that double as edible art and conversation-starting Halloween treats.
• Kid-Friendly Baking Adventure: Engage children in a fun, interactive cooking experience that combines baking and creative decorating in one exciting project.

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Ingredient Guide

• Peanut Butter: Provides the rich, creamy foundation for the cookie.
• Butter: Adds moisture and helps create a soft, tender texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Contribute sweetness and help with cookie caramelization.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients and provides structure to the cookie.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the basic structure of the cookie.
• Baking Soda, Salt: Help with rising and enhance the overall flavor.

• Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate: Used for creating spider legs and web details.
• Chocolate Candies: Serve as spider eyes for the festive design.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor to the cookie base.

How To Make Peanut Butter Spider Cookies With Fun

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and clean-up.

Step 2: Create Cookie Base

• Softened butter
• Peanut butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy with a creamy texture.

Step 3: Add Moisture Ingredients

Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the sugar mixture. Mix thoroughly until fully combined and smooth.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Ensure no lumps remain in the dry mixture.

Step 5: Form Cookie Dough

Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Mix until a consistent, soft cookie dough forms.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Balls

Scoop rounded tablespoon-sized dough balls onto prepared baking sheets. Space cookies 2 inches apart to allow spreading.

Step 7: Bake Cookies

Place in preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for lightly golden brown edges as a sign of doneness.

Step 8: Cool Completely

Remove cookies from oven and transfer to a wire rack. Allow complete cooling before decorating.

Step 9: Melt Chocolate

Separately melt white and dark chocolate wafers in microwave-safe bowls. Stir every 30 seconds to prevent burning.

Step 10: Prepare Piping Bags

Transfer melted chocolates to separate piping bags with small round tips for precise decorating.

Step 11: Warm Peanut Butter

Slightly warm peanut butter to create a more spreadable consistency for easy application.

Step 12: Add Peanut Butter Base

Use an offset spatula to spread a thin layer of peanut butter on each cooled cookie.

Step 13: Create Spider Eyes

Place chocolate candies in the center of each cookie to represent spider eyes.

Step 14: Pipe Chocolate Legs

Use dark chocolate to pipe spider legs radiating from the peanut butter body.

Step 15: Add Web Details

Use a toothpick to draw delicate white chocolate web designs around the spider.

Step 16: Set Decorations

Refrigerate cookies for 10 minutes to help chocolate decorations set firmly.

Step 17: Serve Spooky Treats

Present your creepy-crawly Halloween spider cookies and watch guests get delightfully spooked!

Tips For Cute And Tasty Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

• Adjust Peanut Butter Consistency: Warm peanut butter slightly in microwave for easier spreading, ensuring smooth coverage on cookies without tearing delicate base.
• Control Chocolate Melting: Stir chocolate wafers every 30 seconds during microwaving to prevent burning and achieve perfect silky texture for decorating.
• Maintain Precise Cookie Size: Use tablespoon measurement for consistent cookie shapes, guaranteeing even baking and professional-looking halloween treats.
• Perfect Cooling Technique: Allow cookies to cool completely on wire rack before decorating, preventing chocolate from melting and ensuring crisp design details.
• Steady Piping Skills: Hold piping bags with steady hand and practice light pressure for clean, thin chocolate spider legs and web designs.

Creative Twists On Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

• Halloween Monster Cookies: Replace chocolate candies with colorful candy eyeballs and add green or purple food coloring to the peanut butter spread for a creepy monster look.
• Autumn Harvest Spiders: Incorporate pumpkin spice into the cookie dough and use orange-tinted white chocolate for web decorations with brown chocolate legs.
• Nutty Web Crawlers: Swap peanut butter with almond or cashew butter, and use metallic edible sprinkles for a shimmery spider web effect.
• Gluten-Free Creepy Crawlers: Substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and use alternative chocolate for decoration to make the recipe allergen-friendly.

Pairing Ideas For Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

• Brew Perfect Coffee Companions: Dark roast Colombian coffee cuts through the rich, sweet peanut butter flavors, creating a bold taste contrast.
• Milk Pairing Magic: Cold whole milk balances the intense chocolate and peanut butter, softening each bite with creamy smoothness.
• Halloween Beverage Trick: Spiced hot apple cider complements the cookie's seasonal theme, adding warm autumnal notes that enhance the dessert's playful spirit.
• Dessert Wine Delight: Sweet moscato wine offers a light, fruity accompaniment that matches the cookie's whimsical halloween design without overwhelming its delicate chocolate details.

How To Store Peanut Butter Spider Cookies The Smart Way

• Place cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their crisp texture and decorative spider design.
• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum freshness when you're ready to enjoy them later.
• Store in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture, keeping chocolate decorations intact.
• Position in a cool, dry spot with minimal humidity. Use a container with a tight-fitting lid to protect cookies from moisture and maintain their delicate chocolate spider details.

All The Answers About Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

• Are these cookies difficult to decorate?

Not at all! The decorating process is simple and fun. You just need a steady hand and basic piping skills. The chocolate legs and web details can be easily created with small round piping tips.

• What chocolate works best for spider details?

Dark and white chocolate wafers are perfect. They melt smoothly and provide excellent control for creating precise spider legs and web designs. Make sure to melt them carefully in short microwave intervals.

• Can kids help make these Halloween cookies?

Absolutely! Kids can help with mixing dough, scooping cookie balls, and adding chocolate candy eyes. Adult supervision is recommended for oven tasks and melting chocolate. It’s a great family baking activity.

• How do I get clean chocolate lines for spider legs?

Use a piping bag with a small round tip and move slowly.

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Spooky Halloween “Peanut Butter Spider Cookies” invite playful baking adventures with creepy chocolate legs and googly candy eyes. Crafty dessert makers can delight guests with this whimsical sweet treat perfect for seasonal celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookies Base:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt

Decoration Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (for spider body)
• 1/4 cup chocolate melting wafers
• 1/4 cup white chocolate melting wafers
• 24 chocolate candies (for spider eyes)

Piping and Assembly:

• 1 piping bag
• 1 small round piping tip
• 1 offset spatula
• 1 toothpick (for creating web details)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream together softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
4. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, creating a smooth cookie dough.
6. Scoop rounded tablespoon-sized balls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden brown.
8. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
9. Melt chocolate wafers separately in microwave-safe bowls, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
10. Transfer melted white and dark chocolate to separate piping bags fitted with small round tips.
11. Warm peanut butter slightly to create a more spreadable consistency.
12. Use an offset spatula to spread a small amount of peanut butter on each cooled cookie.
13. Place chocolate candies as spider eyes in the center of each cookie.
14. Pipe dark chocolate legs radiating from the peanut butter body to create spider shapes.
15. Use a toothpick to draw delicate white chocolate web details around the spider design.
16. Refrigerate cookies for 10 minutes to set the chocolate decorations.
17. Serve and enjoy your spooky halloween treats.

Notes

• Add extra crunch by mixing chopped peanuts into the cookie dough for a nutty texture boost.
• Swap traditional peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter to create allergy-friendly alternatives.
• Use gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Create mini spiders by reducing cookie ball size and adjusting baking time slightly shorter for perfectly proportioned treats.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 191
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 99 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 14 mg