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Halloween peanut butter spider cookies decorated with chocolate and candy eyes

Halloween Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

These spooky Halloween Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are a delightful treat with a soft, chewy peanut butter base topped with Reese's cups, candy eyes, and chocolate legs, making them perfect for Halloween parties and family gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 140
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cookie Base
  • 1/2 cup shortening Provides a soft and tender texture.
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter Offers a rich, nutty flavor.
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar Adds moisture and a hint of molasses.
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar For sweetness and crunch.
  • 1 egg Binds the cookies.
  • 2 tablespoons milk Enriches the dough.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Provides a warm flavor.
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour Base ingredient for structure.
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda Leavening agent.
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt Elevates flavors.
  • 1/4 cup sugar for rolling Creates a crispy exterior.
For Decoration
  • 48 pieces unwrapped and frozen miniature Reese's cups Serves as the spider body.
  • 96 pieces candy eyes For the spider appearance.
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips For piping spider legs.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together shortening, peanut butter, egg, sugars, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and creamy.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, blending until just combined.
  5. Scoop the dough and roll it into 1-inch balls, lightly flouring your hands to prevent sticking.
  6. Roll each ball in sugar and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them apart.
Baking
  1. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden around the edges. The centers may look undercooked.
  2. Immediately press a frozen Reese's cup upside down onto each cookie after removing from the oven.
Decoration
  1. Move cookies to a wire rack to cool. Once chocolate is soft, place a candy eye on each cookie.
  2. Cool in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to firm the chocolate.
  3. Melt chocolate chips in a zippered sandwich bag and pipe eight spider legs on each cookie.
  4. Return cookies to the refrigerator for another 10 minutes to set the legs before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg. Freeze Reese's cups before use for best results. Use melted white chocolate chips for varying leg designs.