Easy Peanut Butter Spider Cookies for Halloween

Introduction

Halloween isn’t just about the candy. It’s about the creativity—the costumes, the creepy decorations, the edible googly eyes. If you’re looking for a fun way to bake something festive without going full Martha Stewart, these peanut butter spider cookies are your ticket. They’re spooky, they’re sweet, and they’ve got just enough weird to make your party guests or kids light up with delight (and maybe a little fear).

I came up with these on a rainy October afternoon when I had leftover peanut butter cookie dough and a bag of chocolate truffles taunting me from the pantry. The result? A cookie that’s soft, chewy, and dressed up with chocolate legs and candy eyes—like a peanut butter blossom gone rogue. They’re surprisingly easy, don’t need fancy tools, and come together with stuff you probably already have lying around.

Make a batch for the school bake sale, or let the kids help assemble their own cookie critters. These spider cookies are more treat than trick and a guaranteed hit at any Halloween gathering. Plus, they taste like the kind of cookie that makes you wish Halloween came around more than once a year. Let’s make some eight-legged magic happen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft, chewy peanut butter base
• Simple ingredients you already have
• Kid-friendly and fun to decorate
• Perfect for Halloween parties or classroom treats
• No chilling required—fast and easy
• Adaptable with different candies or chocolates

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• About 24 chocolate truffles (like Lindt or similar)
• Melted chocolate or chocolate frosting (for legs)
• Candy eyeballs

Instructions/Method

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. Scoop out tablespoon-sized dough balls and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops are slightly cracked.
8. Immediately press a chocolate truffle into the center of each cookie.
9. Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
10. Once fully cooled, pipe chocolate legs around the truffle and stick candy eyeballs onto the truffle using a dab of melted chocolate.

Tips & Variations

• Use mini peanut butter cups instead of truffles for a twist.
• Let the kids draw legs with melted chocolate using a zip-top bag.
• Swap creamy peanut butter for crunchy if you like extra texture.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon for a warm fall flavor.

Note

Don’t press the truffles in too early—wait until the cookies come out of the oven so they hold their shape. And be sure the cookies are fully cooled before adding the legs and eyes or things will slide.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve as a Halloween dessert centerpiece.
• Pair with milk or hot cocoa for a spooky movie night.
• Add to trick-or-treat gift bags wrapped in cellophane.
• Let kids decorate their own spiders as a party activity.

Nutrition Information

Per cookie (based on 24 cookies):

• Calories: 210
• Fat: 11g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Sugar: 15g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 1g

User Reviews/Comments

“Made these with my kids and they were a hit! Super easy and adorable.” — Lindsey R.

“I brought these to a Halloween party and they disappeared fast. The chocolate truffle idea is genius.” — Marco J.

“Fun to make and even more fun to eat. The kids thought they were creepy in the best way.” — Tina B.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes. You can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 2 months. Let it come to room temp before baking.

What can I use if I don’t have candy eyeballs?
Mini white chocolate chips or small dots of white frosting with a chocolate chip work just fine.

Are these cookies freezer-friendly?
Yes, freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Add legs and eyes after thawing.

Can I use natural peanut butter?
It’s best to use traditional peanut butter. Natural varieties can make the dough oily and affect the texture.

How do I keep the chocolate from melting when adding the legs?
Wait until the cookies are completely cool before decorating. If it’s warm, refrigerate the cookies briefly before piping.

Conclusion

Peanut butter spider cookies are the kind of treat that reminds you baking can be playful, not just practical. These little guys are easy to pull off, creepy-cute, and full of peanut butter punch. Whether you’re handing them out to trick-or-treaters or lining them up on a Halloween buffet, they’re bound to steal the show. Want to learn more about the cultural history behind Halloween treats? Check out the Wikipedia article on Halloween to dive deeper into the spooky traditions. Now roll up your sleeves—these cookies aren’t going to bake themselves.

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