Check out these spooky peanut butter spider cookies! Scrumptious peanut butter cookies that are topped with melted chocolate, a mini Reese’s peanut butter cup, and googly eyes. These spider-themed cookies are a hit for the Halloween season.

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies on a plate stacked up

A spooky-themed cookie that will liven up a party! These are fun and creative cookie that is out of the box in the fun factor. Your kids might even enjoy helping decorate their spooky spider peanut butter cookies.

Craving more: Ghost jello shots, easy Halloween cake, or Mummy cookies. All of these are Halloween-themed goodies that are going to win over your family or a crowd.

spider cookies on table with a bite taken out of one of the cookies

What Are Spider Cookies?

Spider cookies are a playful and fun cookie that is decorated to look like a cookie. The bas is a peanut butter cookie that is then topped with chocolate and then decorated to look like a playful spider.

Great for themed parties, and you can change up the design in so many ways, it makes this cookie a HIT every single time you whip it up.

spider cookie sitting on concrete counter

When To Serve Up These Easy Spider Cookies?

Halloween Parties

Hosting a party this year for Halloween? If so consider whipping up a batch or even a double batch of these cookies. They are going to be a great centerpiece for your event!

School Event

If you are in charge of Halloween party snacks, consider these cookies to take. Just make sure no kids have allergies to any of the ingredients!

Movie Night

Want a fun dessert to serve up with your movie night at home? Consider these cookies for a fun twist. Kids will love the fun and playful topping.

Fall Themed Parties

If you want a fun cookie for a fall event, consider these cookies. It doesn’t have to be Halloween it can be a pumpkin patch event, pumpkin carving party, or more. These cookies are a blast.

Get ready for a spooktacular treat this Halloween with these adorable Peanut Butter Spider Cookies! These creepy-crawly delights are not only delicious but also a fun and festive addition to any Halloween celebration. So grab your apron and let’s get baking!

stacked cookies that look like spiders on table with milk behind it in a glass jar

Ingredients Needed

Flour – All-purpose flour is what I used for these cookies. You will want to spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off.

Baking Soda – This is going to help create the perfect texture for your peanut butter cookies.

Salt – Salt is a must when it comes to baking. It is going to really enhance all the ingredients in the cookie batter.

Butter – Reach for softened butter. It is important to use butter and not margarine. The margarine will alter the texture.

Shortening – A little bit of shortening is needed for the recipe. It creates incredible texture.

Sugar – Granulated sugar and brown sugar are both used in this peanut butter cookie recipe.

Egg – The egg acts as the binder in the recipe.

Vanilla – A splash of vanilla will transform the cookie and add a little extra sweetness.

Milk – Any type of milk works for this recipe.

Peanut Butter – I recommend creamy peanut butter, but you could always use crunchy.

Mini Reese’s – Grab some mini Reese’s peanut butter cups to mimic the head of the spider.

Melting Chocolate – You can use chocolate chips or candy melts for the decorating of the spider’s body.

Candy Eyes – Find these in the baking aisle at the grocery store. These are so fun and really elevate the look of your cookies.

overhead shot of spider cookies on table with one that has a bite taken out

Variations To Recipe

Use store-bought peanut butter cookie dough instead of making homemade peanut butter cookies if you want.
Swap the peanut butter cookie with any other type of cookie. Sugar cookies, chocolate chip, cake mix cookies, etc.
Instead of a Reese’s peanut butter cup use a Rolo for the head.
Use white candy melts and black icing to draw eyes on the spider if you don’t want to use candy eyes.
Use pretzel sticks for the spider legs for the cookie.
Place a full-size Reese’s in the center for the body and a mini Reese’s for the head.
Decorate the body of the spider with lines to give the spider a different look.
Black licorice laces can be used for spider legs as well.

brown sugar, granulated sugar, and butter in a mixing bowl

Therefore options to change up these cookies are truly endless. Have fun trying out different looks to find the perfect look for the cookie recipe.

All this considered feel free to mix and match ideas to create the perfect cookie for you.

halloween cookies stacked on top of each other on table

Remember, these cookies can be customized to your liking! You can experiment with different eye colors, create variations using chunky peanut butter, or even add a drop of edible food coloring to the dough for an added Halloween twist. Embrace your creativity and have a ghoulishly great time decorating each cookie.

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies stacked on a table with a glass of milk next to them

Recipe Developer Tips for Success

Make sure that you use a cookie scoop to get evenly shaped cookie dough balls.

For this cookie, I rolled the cookie dough into balls. Therefore it bakes out flat and then you have a nice flat surface to decorate.

Don’t overbake the cookies. Peanut butter cookies can easily dry out. Obviously, use the baking time as a guide.

Have your chocolate melted and ready to decorate along with the candies.

Add a dot of melted chocolate on Reese’s cup for each eye. This ensures the eyes stick to the chocolate.

Feel free to experiment with the design and color of spiders. Basically, use my design as a guide but get creative if you desire.

Let the cookies cool before serving so the chocolate has a bit of time to set up.

Storing

Store any cookies you do not eat right away on the counter at room temperature. Use wax paper to place between stacking layers of the cookies. This will ensure they don’t stick together. They will last for about 5 days.

You could also freeze cookies if you want. Place in a freezer bag or container and freeze for 3-4 months. Then thaw on the counter when ready to eat. Or eat straight from the freezer.

FAQs

Why are my peanut butter cookies dry and crumbly?

If your cookies are dry there could be two reasons. You added too much dry ingredients or you overbaked the cookies. Those are the two causes of a dry or crumbly cookie.

Can I use natural peanut butter in my peanut butter cookies?

You can use natural peanut butter but be aware it can alter the texture. Natural peanut butter has a lot more oil in the peanut butter so it can cause the texture of the dough to alter.

Can I use other types of candies for decorating spider cookies?

Go right ahead and use any type of candies you want. You can also use colored candy melts for decorating as well.

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are not only visually adorable and creepy but also so scrumptious! The rich and creamy peanut butter pairs perfectly with the crunchy texture of the cookie, topped with chocolate spiders adds a spooky twist. Serve these frightful delicacies at your Halloween party or indulge in them while watching your favorite scary movies!

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies on a wood round table

So, this Halloween, treat your taste buds to something extraordinary with Peanut Butter Spider Cookies. They’re creepy, they’re cute, and above all, they’re deliciously spooky! Enjoy and Happy Halloween! ????

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

What Are Spider Cookies?