Peanut Butter Spider Cookies for Halloween Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and utterly delicious Halloween treat, you’re in for a real treat with this Peanut Butter Spider Cookies for Halloween Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies bring together rich peanut butter goodness with a playful spooky twist that both kids and adults go crazy for. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to make some themed goodies with the family, these spiders are the perfect mix of cute and tasty. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through everything you need to make these creepy-crawly delights turn out perfectly every time!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients ahead of time will make this Peanut Butter Spider Cookies for Halloween Recipe a breeze. The key is creamy peanut butter for that smooth, classic flavor, and those mini Reese’s cups that give the perfect peanut butter punch and help form the “body” of the spider.

• Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter is key to getting a fluffy cookie dough.
• Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel sweetness to balance the peanut butter.
• Granulated sugar: The sugar you use for rolling adds a nice little crunch and sparkle.
• Creamy peanut butter: I recommend the classic kind — it helps your cookies hold together better than natural peanut butter.
• Egg: Helps bind everything together and adds richness.
• Vanilla extract: Just a splash enhances all the flavors beautifully.
• All-purpose flour: Make sure to measure accurately to keep your cookies perfectly tender.
• Baking soda and baking powder: These give just the right rise and texture.
• Salt: A pinch to make the peanut butter pop.
• Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Frozen before pressing into cookies — trust me, this keeps them from melting too fast.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melted for drawing spider legs and attaching candy eyeballs.
• Candy eyeballs: The fun, spooky finishing touch that brings your spider cookies to life.

Variations

I love making this Peanut Butter Spider Cookies for Halloween Recipe my own based on who I’m sharing them with. Don’t be afraid to switch things up a bit — it’s all about making the recipe work for you and your spooky celebration!

• Use crunchy peanut butter: If you like a bit more texture, crunchy peanut butter adds a lovely nutty bite.
• Try dark chocolate chips instead: I sometimes swap semi-sweet for dark chocolate — it’s a richer flavor that pairs perfectly with peanut butter.
• Make it vegan: Substitute the butter with coconut oil and an egg replacer, plus use dairy-free chocolate chips.
• Change up the eyes: You can use mini chocolate chips or colored sprinkles instead of candy eyeballs for a quick alternative.

How to Make Peanut Butter Spider Cookies for Halloween Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Mini Reese’s Cups

The first thing I do is unwrap about 24 mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and pop them in the freezer. This little trick helps keep their shape when you press them into the warm cookies after baking. Trust me, it makes the difference between cute spider bodies and sad melted blobs!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using an electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for about a minute until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This step is key—well-creamed butter and sugar give your cookies that soft, tender texture I love.

Step 3: Add Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla

Next, mix in the creamy peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Beat everything together just until combined—less than a minute here is perfect so you don’t overwork the dough. The peanut butter is the star here, so make sure it’s evenly blended for that rich flavor.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

Now, sift in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Use the mixer on low or fold in with a spatula until just combined. Over mixing can make cookies tough, so stop when you no longer see streaks of flour.

Step 5: Form and Bake the Cookies

I like to use a small cookie scoop or just level tablespoons to make balls of dough. Roll each ball between your hands to make it smooth, then roll it in granulated sugar to give the cookies a sparkling texture after baking. Place them 2-3 inches apart on a silicone-lined baking sheet so they have room to spread. Bake at 350ºF for 8-11 minutes or until the edges crack and turn golden—you’ll know you’ve hit the sweet spot when they look slightly crispy around the edges but still soft in the center.

Step 6: Add Reese’s Cups and Cool

Right out of the oven, gently press a frozen mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup into the center of each cookie. Then, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 15-20 minutes to set. Moving them too soon can cause the chocolate to sink into the cookie, and you want those spider bodies to keep their shape!

Step 7: Create the Spider Legs and Eyes

While the cookies cool, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating at 50% power in 1-minute intervals and stirring each time until smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate to a squeeze bottle or a sandwich bag with a tiny corner snipped off. Carefully pipe four legs on each side of the Reese’s cup to create spider legs. Use a dab of melted chocolate on the back of candy eyeballs to attach them to the tops of the Reese’s cups. Let the chocolate set fully before serving.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Spider Cookies for Halloween Recipe

Garnishes

I usually stick with classic candy eyeballs because they add so much personality, but I’ve also experimented with edible glitter or a tiny sprinkle of sea salt on the melted chocolate legs for a pretty contrast. If you want a little extra festive flair, you can also dust the cookies lightly with powdered sugar or cocoa powder for a spooky “dusty web” effect!

Side Dishes

If you’re serving these at a party, a cold glass of milk or a cup of hot chocolate pairs perfectly. I’ve also enjoyed them alongside some simple apple slices or a bowl of mixed nuts for a balanced snack spread that complements the rich peanut butter flavor without overwhelming your taste buds.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween parties, I love arranging the cookies on a platter in a creepy spider web shape using thin licorice strands or even on a black serving tray lined with faux spider webs. Kids especially get a kick out of “catching” the spider cookies from the web! You could also package a few cookies in small clear bags tied with orange and black ribbons for cute party favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I store these Peanut Butter Spider Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If your kitchen is warm, a cool spot like the pantry works best — the chocolate won’t hold up well to heat and might soften too much.

Freezing

I’ve had great luck freezing the baked cookies without the decorations (Reese’s cups, legs, and eyes). Just freeze the plain cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. When you want to serve, thaw fully, then add decorations fresh. This keeps the cookie texture and toppings looking their best.

Reheating

If you want that fresh-baked warm cookie feeling, gently heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Be careful not to overheat, or the peanut butter cups might melt too much. I prefer warming just before serving to keep the spider legs intact and the candy eyes in place.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Spider Cookies for Halloween Recipe is one of those joyful kitchen moments where clever, simple ingredients come together to create something playful and delicious. I’ve made these every Halloween for years, and it’s become a family tradition that never fails to bring smiles. If you want a cookie that’s both fun to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, this is it. So grab your spatula, get those Reese’s cups ready, and make some spooky spider magic in your kitchen!

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