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easy halloween spider cookies
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Easy Halloween Spider Cookies

Looking for a cute (and spooky!) treat to serve this Halloween? These Easy Halloween Spider Cookies are soft, chocolatey peanut butter cookies topped with Rolos or mini peanut butter cups and candy eyes.
Prep Time25 minutes
Servings: 48 cookies

Ingredients

  • ½ cup shortening
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 48 Rolos or miniature peanut butter cups unwrapped
  • 96 candy eyes
  • 1 tube black decorating icing

Instructions

  • Step 1: Preheat the oven - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or leave them ungreased.
  • Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat together ½ cup shortening and 1 cup creamy peanut butter until smooth. Add ½ cup packed light brown sugar and ⅓ cup granulated sugar (reserving ⅓ cup sugar for rolling the cookies), and beat until light and fluffy. Then mix in 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.
  • Step 3: Combine the dry ingredients - In a separate medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt.
  • Step 4: Make the dough - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture, mixing just until everything is combined and a soft dough forms.
  • Step 5: Shape and roll the cookies - Roll dough into 1-inch balls (about 1 tablespoon each). Roll each ball in the reserved ⅓ cup granulated sugar and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Step 6: Bake - Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until cookies are lightly browned and set around the edges.
  • Step 7: Add the spider bodies - Immediately press 1 Rolo or miniature peanut butter cup (upside down) into the center of each warm cookie. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool slightly.
  • Step 8: Attach the eyes - While the chocolate candy is still soft, gently press 2 candy eyes onto each one.
  • Step 9: Chill to set - Refrigerate the cookies for 10–15 minutes to allow the chocolate to firm up.
  • Step 10: Add the spider legs - Use black decorating icing to pipe 8 spider legs (4 on each side) around the candy center.
  • Refrigerate again for about 10 minutes to set the icing before serving.