Peanut Butter Spider Cookies – Easy & Fun Halloween Treat

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are the perfect blend of fun and flavor, making them an ideal Halloween treat. These soft and chewy cookies feature the irresistible combination of peanut butter and chocolate, topped with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, melted chocolate legs, and candy eyeballs. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just looking for a sweet snack, these cookies will surely be a hit. With only a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create this adorable and tasty dessert in under 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

These Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are quick, easy, and incredibly fun to make, making them a great choice for both novice and seasoned bakers. With a base of peanut butter cookies and a delicious chocolate topping, they’re the perfect treat for any Halloween celebration.

What makes them even better is their simplicity. You don’t need to chill the dough, and the ingredients are commonly found in most kitchens. These cookies bring together the classic peanut butter and chocolate combo, creating an irresistible treat. Plus, the addition of candy eyes and chocolate spider legs makes them an incredibly fun dessert to make with kids or friends.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delightful Peanut Butter Spider Cookies:

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and tenderness to the cookies.
• Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the texture of the cookies.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: The star ingredient, delivering that rich peanut flavor.
• Egg: Binds the dough and adds moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the cookie base.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and become soft and chewy.
• Baking Powder: Assists in leavening the cookies.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Granulated Sugar (for rolling): Gives the cookies a sweet, crispy exterior.
• Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: These will be placed in the center of each cookie, adding a gooey and rich peanut butter surprise.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Melted down to create the spider legs.
• Candy Eyeballs: These make the cookies look spooky and fun for Halloween.

Alternative Ingredient Suggestions

If you’re looking to make substitutions or need alternatives, here are a few ideas:

• Natural Peanut Butter: If you prefer a more natural version, use regular peanut butter, but avoid the kind that needs stirring as it may alter the texture of the dough.
• Gluten-Free Flour: You can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version of these cookies.
• Milk Chocolate: Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk chocolate for a sweeter flavor.
• Mini Candy Bars: If Reese’s cups aren’t available, you can use mini chocolate or caramel candy bars in place of the peanut butter cups.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making Peanut Butter Spider Cookies is easier than you might think! Just follow these steps:

1. Prepare the Reese’s: Unwrap 24 mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and place them in the freezer. Freezing the Reese’s helps them hold their shape better when pressed into the hot cookies. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add in the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract, and beat until fully combined.
3. Add the Dry Ingredients: Stir in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
4. Form the Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar to give it a slight crunch on the outside. Place them 2-3 inches apart on a lined baking sheet.
5. Bake: Bake the cookies for 8-11 minutes, or until the edges start to crack and turn golden.
6. Add the Reese’s: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a frozen mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup into the center of each cookie. Allow the cookies to cool for 15-20 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
7. Make the Spider Legs: Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave. Use a squeeze bottle or a ziplock bag with the tip cut off to draw four legs on each side of the cookie.
8. Attach the Eyes: Use a small dab of melted chocolate to attach candy eyeballs to the center of the Reese’s cup. Let the chocolate set completely before moving or serving the cookies.

Tips & Tricks

• Equal Cookie Size: Make sure the dough balls are uniform in size. This will help the cookies bake evenly and ensure that each one has a proper amount of Reese’s in the center.
• Freezing the Reese’s: Freezing the Reese’s before adding them to the hot cookies helps keep their shape intact. This prevents them from melting too much and losing their form.
• Bake Time: Keep an eye on your cookies. They should be slightly underdone when you remove them from the oven. The residual heat will continue to bake them as they cool on the sheet.
• Add the Eyes While Warm: Attach the candy eyeballs while the melted chocolate is still warm to ensure they stick well.

Pairing Ideas and Variations

These Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are perfect on their own, but if you’re looking to mix things up, here are a few pairing ideas:

• Milk: Pair the cookies with a glass of milk to balance out the richness of the peanut butter and chocolate.
• Halloween Party Platter: Arrange these spider cookies alongside other spooky desserts like Ghost Cupcakes or Spider Rice Krispie Treats for a fun, Halloween-themed dessert spread.
• Peanut Butter Variations: For a twist, you can add crushed peanuts or peanut brittle on top for added crunch.

Storing and Freezing

You can store these Peanut Butter Spider Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you need to freeze them, simply allow them to cool completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. These cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months, either before or after baking.

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are not only delicious but also a visually exciting treat for Halloween. With a perfect balance of peanut butter, chocolate, and a bit of fun decoration, they’ll be the highlight of your dessert table. Whether you’re baking for a party or just for fun, these cookies are sure to please everyone who loves the combo of peanut butter and chocolate!

Conclusion

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are the perfect Halloween treat, combining the delicious flavors of peanut butter and chocolate with a fun and spooky twist. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just enjoying a cozy evening, these cookies will bring joy and delight to your family and friends. With minimal prep time, simple ingredients, and a creative design, these cookies are sure to become a seasonal favorite.

From the first bite, you’ll experience a chewy, peanut-buttery texture topped with a rich chocolate layer and whimsical candy eyes. The best part is, they are as easy to make as they are fun, making them a perfect choice for bakers of all skill levels. So go ahead, grab your ingredients, and get ready to impress everyone with these adorable Peanut Butter Spider Cookies!

FAQ About peanut butter spider cookies

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