Easy Peanut Butter Spider Cookies: The Perfect Spooky Treat That’s Fun and Delicious for Halloween

These Easy Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are the ideal treat for Halloween. With soft, chewy peanut butter cookies topped with mini Reese's cups and decorated to look like little spiders, they are guaranteed to be a hit at any Halloween party or family gathering. The combination of creamy peanut butter and chocolate creates an irresistible flavor that both kids and adults will love.

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The trick to these cookies is freezing the Reese's cups before adding them to the freshly baked cookies. This helps maintain their shape while you decorate them with melted chocolate legs and candy eyes, making them look like cute (and slightly spooky) spiders.

The Secret to Perfect Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

The key to making these spider cookies look and taste perfect is freezing the Reese’s cups before placing them on the warm cookies. This simple trick helps the candies hold their shape and ensures the spiders stay intact. After drawing the spider legs with melted chocolate and attaching the candy eyes, your cookies will be Halloween-ready! Let the cookies cool completely to ensure the decorations set properly before serving.

Why Peanut Butter and Chocolate Are a Halloween Favorite

Peanut butter and chocolate are a beloved flavor combination, and in these cookies, they work together perfectly. The soft, chewy peanut butter cookie base provides a satisfying texture, while the Reese's cup adds creamy sweetness. The spooky spider design makes these cookies not only delicious but also fun to eat and display at your Halloween gatherings.

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Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Based on 24 Cookies):

• Calories: 190 kcal
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 11g
• Carbohydrates: 21g
• Sugar: 13g
• Sodium: 160mg

Cooking Tips

When forming the cookie dough balls, make sure they are all the same size to ensure even baking. Freezing the Reese's cups ahead of time is essential to prevent them from melting too much when placed on the hot cookies. If you’re looking to add extra creativity, use colored melted chocolate for the spider legs, such as orange or red, for an extra spooky effect.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store these Peanut Butter Spider Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To keep them fresh, you can also refrigerate them. If you want to reheat the cookies slightly before serving, microwave them for 10-15 seconds to bring back their softness.

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Easy Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 stick unsalted butter (½ cup), room temperature
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Granulated sugar (for rolling the cookies)
• Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for melting)
• Candy eyeballs

Instructions:

1. Unwrap the Reese's cups and freezeUnwrap about 24 mini Reese’s cups and place them in a bowl. Freeze them to help maintain their shape when added to the hot cookies.
2. Preheat the ovenPreheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
3. Mix the doughIn a mixing bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat with an electric mixer for 1 minute until smooth and fluffy.
4. Add wet ingredientsAdd the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the mixture and beat again for less than 1 minute until combined.
5. Mix in dry ingredientsAdd in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, mixing on low or using a spatula just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
6. Form cookie dough ballsUse a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to form tablespoon-sized balls of dough. Roll the dough between your hands to form a uniform ball, then roll in granulated sugar.
7. Bake the cookiesPlace the dough balls 2-3 inches apart on a silicone-lined or parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-11 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies begin to crack and turn golden.
8. Press in the Reese's cupsRemove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a mini Reese’s cup into the center of each cookie. Allow the cookies to cool for 15-20 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
9. Melt the chocolateWhile the cookies cool, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 3 minutes, stirring after each minute, until fully melted.
10. Decorate the cookiesTransfer the melted chocolate into a squeeze bottle or a sandwich bag with the corner cut off. Draw 4 legs on each side of the Reese’s cup to form the spider’s legs.
11. Attach the candy eyesUse a small dab of melted chocolate to attach the candy eyeballs to the Reese’s cups. Let the chocolate set before moving the cookies to a serving platter.

These Easy Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are perfect for adding a touch of Halloween fun to any gathering. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and absolutely delicious!