Last Updated on October 5, 2025 by Chef Josie
When October rolls around, nothing gets me more excited than planning spooky treats for family and friends. And these Halloween Peanut Butter Spider Cookies might just be the cutest and creepiest thing you’ll ever bake! Imagine buttery-soft peanut butter cookies topped with chocolate peanut butter cups, candy eyes, and licorice “legs”, they’re equal parts adorable and eerie. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, baking with kids, or just looking for fun Halloween dessert ideas, these cute Halloween cookies are guaranteed to be a hit.
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Halloween Peanut Butter Spider Cookie
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
A fun and spooky Halloween cookie recipe made with peanut butter cookies, peanut butter cups, candy eyes, and chocolate “legs.” Perfect for parties and easy Halloween desserts.
Ingredients
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2 cups peanut butter cookie dough (homemade or store-bought)
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24 mini peanut butter cups
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½ cup chocolate chips (melted)
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48 candy eyes
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96 licorice strings or pretzel sticks (for legs)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F and bake peanut butter cookies for 10–12 minutes.
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Press indentations in the center while warm and let cool.
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Place peanut butter cups upside down in the indentations.
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Attach legs and eyes with melted chocolate.
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Chill until set and serve.
Notes
Swap peanut butter cups for chocolate truffles if nut-free.
Store at room temperature in airtight container for 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Party Food
Nutrition
- Calories: 220 kcal per cookie
Why You’ll Love These Halloween Peanut Butter Spider Cookies
- Perfect Halloween Cookie – spooky yet playful, they’ll stand out on any dessert table.
- Easy Halloween Cookies – made with simple ingredients and ready in under an hour.
- Kid-Friendly – little bakers will love adding the eyes and legs!
- Customizable – swap flavors, decorations, or even cookie bases for endless Halloween cookie designs.
- Crowd-Pleaser – everyone loves a mix of chocolate and peanut butter.
Ingredient Breakdown
Here’s what you’ll need to make these festive Halloween sugar cookies with a spooky twist:
- Peanut Butter Cookie Dough – Homemade or store-bought works. A classic base that pairs perfectly with chocolate.
- Mini Peanut Butter Cups – These form the “spider bodies.” Chocolate truffles or sandwich cookies can be substituted.
- Chocolate Chips (melted) – Used to attach legs and eyes. Acts like edible “glue.”
- Candy Eyes – Available at most grocery stores or baking aisles; they bring the spiders to life.
- Chocolate Licorice Ropes or Pretzel Sticks – For the legs. Cut into equal lengths for uniform spiders.
- Optional Decoration – Dust with cocoa powder or drizzle white chocolate “webs” for extra spooky cookie vibes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll peanut butter dough into 1-inch balls and place on the baking sheet, spaced 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until golden around the edges but soft in the center.
- Shape and Cool
- While still warm, press a small indentation in the center of each cookie with the back of a spoon.
- Let cookies cool completely before decorating.
- Assemble the Spider Bodies
- Place an upside-down peanut butter cup into the indentation of each cookie.
- Use melted chocolate as “glue” to secure them.
- Add the Legs
- Dip cut licorice or pretzel sticks into melted chocolate and attach four to each side of the peanut butter cup.
- Hold in place for a few seconds until set.
- Give Them Personality
- Dab melted chocolate on the back of candy eyes and stick them on top of the peanut butter cup.
- Chill in the fridge for 10 minutes to set completely.
- Serve and Spook
- Arrange your spooky cookies on a tray lined with gauze or spiderweb decorations.
Notes & Top Tips
- Don’t Overbake: Soft cookies work best since they hold the candy more securely.
- Make Ahead: Bake cookies a day in advance and decorate the next day for stress-free party prep.
- Allergy Friendly: Swap peanut butter dough for sugar cookie dough and replace cups with chocolate truffles for a nut-free version.
- Leg Alternatives: Try pretzel sticks dipped in chocolate for crunchier spider legs.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
- Party Platter: Arrange alongside other Halloween cookie ideas like mummy brownies or ghost cupcakes.
- Different Flavors: Use chocolate chip, sugar cookies, or pumpkin spice dough as the base.
- Webby Touch: Pipe melted white chocolate spiderwebs across your serving platter.
- Extra Spooky: Add red gel icing for “bloodshot” eyes or sprinkle edible glitter for magical Halloween themed food.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw, then decorate.
- Reheating: If you want a warm, soft cookie, pop in the microwave for 10 seconds (before decorating).
Closing
These Halloween Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are more than just desserts, they’re an experience! Cute, spooky, and irresistibly delicious, they’re perfect for parties, trick-or-treat night, or just making memories in the kitchen. If you try them, leave a comment and rating below, and check out my other Halloween dessert ideas for more spooky fun.
FAQs
Q: Can I make these with store-bought cookies?
A: Absolutely! Buy plain Halloween sugar cookies and just decorate them.
Q: Do I need candy eyes?
A: They make the cookies extra cute, but you can use white chocolate chips with a dot of dark chocolate for DIY eyes.
Q: How long does it take to make these?
A: About 30–40 minutes, making them one of the best easy Halloween cookie ideas.
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