Delicious Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe

Get ready to add a touch of whimsy to your baking with these delightful Peanut Butter Spider Cookies! A perfect blend of soft, creamy peanut butter cookie base topped with a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, these treats are not only delicious but also super fun to decorate. Whether you’re gearing up for Halloween festivities or just looking to impress your little ones, these cookies are a surefire way to spread joy and smiles.

I’ve shared this Peanut Butter Spider Cookies recipe with countless friends and family over the years, and it has become a beloved tradition in many households. The sheer delight of pressing a glossy Reese’s cup onto a warm cookie and adding playful candy eyeballs never fails to enchant both kids and adults alike. These cookies are so irresistible that they magically disappear from the plate in no time, leaving behind a trail of happiness and satisfied taste buds.

So, gather your loved ones, unleash your creativity, and embark on a baking adventure filled with laughter and deliciousness. With a few simple ingredients and a sprinkle of imagination, you can create these charming Peanut Butter Spider Cookies that are bound to become a highlight of your Halloween spread or any special occasion. Let’s bake up some spooky sweetness together!

Quick Benefits

• Perfect Halloween party treat that kids and adults will love
• Easy to customize with different chocolate or nut butter options
• Make ahead option for quick party prep
• Fun and engaging activity for baking with kids

Why You’ll Love This Delicious Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe Recipe

• Fun and Festive: Turning classic peanut butter cookies into adorable spider treats adds a playful and festive twist, making them perfect for Halloween or kids’ parties.
• Interactive Baking: The process of decorating these cookies with candy eyes and chocolate legs is engaging and enjoyable for both kids and adults, making it a great activity to do with family or friends.
• Irresistible Flavor: With a soft and sweet peanut butter base and a surprise Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup on top, these cookies offer a delightful combination of flavors and textures that everyone will love.
• Crowd-Pleaser: These cookies have become a hit at Halloween parties and bake sales, with requests to make them year after year, proving their popularity with both kids and adults.
• Versatile Options: The recipe provides options for nut-free, gluten-free, and flavor variations, allowing you to customize the cookies based on dietary preferences and seasonal themes.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: The ability to freeze the cookies after baking and decorate them later makes them a convenient make-ahead option for parties and gatherings.
• Charming Presentation: Whether displayed on a cake stand, packaged as party favors, or enjoyed with coffee or tea, these cookies not only taste delicious but also look adorable and festive.
• Legacy of Joy: The recipe has created a special tradition for many families and friends, spreading joy and delight through its whimsical charm and delicious taste.

Ingredients for Delicious Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe

Dough

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

For Assembly and Decoration

• 24 mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Candy eyeballs
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Granulated sugar, for rolling

Pro Tips for Delicious Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe

To make the peanut butter spider cookies, freeze the mini peanut butter cups beforehand to help maintain their shape when placed on the warm cookies. Using creamy, shelf-stable peanut butter will provide a better texture and consistent results in the cookie dough. When decorating, consider using a squeeze bottle or a sandwich bag with a corner snipped off to pipe thin, even chocolate legs onto each cookie for a professional finish. If you can’t find candy eyes, create a similar effect by using small dots of white and dark chocolate. Make sure to let the decorated cookies set completely before storing to ensure the chocolate legs and eyes do not smear and the peanut butter cups retain their shape.

For an easy make-ahead option, bake the cookies as directed and freeze them without decorations. Thaw the cookies when needed and then decorate with chocolate legs and eyes before serving. This trick allows for quick and effortless party preparation. Additionally, consider adding a dash of pumpkin spice to the cookie dough for a delightful fall flavor. You can also switch things up by using dark chocolate cups for a richer look or by sprinkling black sanding sugar before baking for some extra sparkle. These pro tips will help you create adorable and delicious peanut butter spider cookies that will be a hit at any Halloween gathering or kids’ party.

How to Make Delicious Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Freeze Candy

Unwrap 24 mini peanut butter cups, place in a bowl, and freeze. This will keep the chocolate from melting when added to warm cookies.

Step 2: Preheat Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream together unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy, about 1 minute.

Step 4: Incorporate Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla

Combine creamy peanut butter, large egg, and vanilla extract with the creamed mixture. Mix briefly until just combined.

Step 5: Add Dry Ingredients

Combine all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low speed or gently fold by hand until no flour streaks are visible. Avoid overmixing.

Step 6: Portion and Roll Dough

Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the dough. Roll the dough into uniform balls and coat each ball in granulated sugar.

Step 7: Bake

Place dough balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 to 3 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 11 minutes until edges crack and cookies start to turn golden.

Step 8: Add Peanut Butter Cups

Take the cookies out of the oven and promptly press a frozen mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie. Let them cool on the baking tray for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 9: Melt Chocolate

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat semi-sweet chocolate chips on 50% power for up to 3 minutes, stirring every 60 seconds until melted.

Step 10: Decorate with Chocolate Spider Legs

Place melted chocolate into a squeeze bottle or sandwich bag with a trimmed corner. Pipe 4 legs on each side of every cookie to create spiders.

Step 11: Attach Candy Eyes

Using melted chocolate, attach candy eyeballs to peanut butter cups. Allow chocolate to set before handling cookies.

Storage Tips

To store the finished Peanut Butter Spider Cookies, it is important to let the decorated cookies set completely before storing to prevent smearing of the chocolate legs and eyes. Store the cookies in a single layer or with parchment paper between layers in an airtight container. This will help maintain their freshness for up to five days, ensuring they stay soft and delicious.

For longer storage or convenient make-ahead options, you can freeze the baked cookies without decorations. Once cooled, freeze the cookies in layers with parchment paper between them. When ready to serve, simply thaw the cookies and decorate them with chocolate legs and eyes before serving. This make-ahead trick allows you to have freshly decorated Peanut Butter Spider Cookies ready for Halloween parties or any occasion, making them a convenient and fun treat to prepare in advance.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you need to make these cookies nut-free, you can substitute the creamy peanut butter with sunflower seed butter. This swap will provide a similar creamy texture and flavor without the peanuts. For a gluten-free version, you can use a one-for-one gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour, making the recipe accessible to those with gluten sensitivities.

In terms of chocolate substitutions, if you don’t have mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on hand, you can replace them with any small, round chocolate candy. This change will still give you the surprise element on top of the cookies. Additionally, if you prefer a richer look or taste, you can use dark chocolate cups instead. These modifications allow for flexibility in the ingredients used while still maintaining the overall essence of the cute and delicious spider cookies.

Serving Suggestions

For a fun and spooky Halloween party, serve these adorable Peanut Butter Spider Cookies on a large platter as the centerpiece. Arrange them in a circular pattern with candy eyes staring out, creating a spider web effect. Add some plastic spider decorations around the plate for an extra creepy touch. Kids and adults alike will love the playful and delicious treat!

To make these Peanut Butter Spider Cookies even more irresistible, serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The warm, gooey cookie paired with the cold, creamy ice cream creates a delightful contrast in textures and temperatures. Drizzle some melted chocolate over the ice cream for an extra decadent touch. This dessert is sure to be a hit at any gathering, whether it’s a Halloween party or a cozy family night in.

FAQs for Delicious Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe

Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter?

It is recommended to use creamy, shelf-stable peanut butter for better texture and consistent results in this recipe.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cookies as directed and freeze them before decorating. Thaw them when needed and then add the chocolate legs and eyes before serving.

What can I use if I can’t find candy eyes?

If you can’t find candy eyes, you can use small dots of white and dark chocolate to create a similar effect on the cookies.

How should I store these cookies?

Let the decorated cookies set completely before storing them. Keep them in a single layer or with parchment between layers in an airtight container to prevent smearing. They stay fresh for up to five days.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed making these delightful Peanut Butter Spider Cookies as much as I have over the years. They are not only delicious but also a fantastic way to get creative in the kitchen, especially with little ones. The joy of seeing these cute and tasty treats come to life is truly priceless.

Whether you’re preparing these cookies for a Halloween party, a bake sale, or simply as a fun family activity, the Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. So, don’t hesitate to whip up a batch, get your decorating game on, and watch them disappear from the plate! Happy baking, and may your Peanut Butter Spider Cookies bring spooky joy to all who indulge in them.