Name: Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 180 grams (6.3 ounces) smooth peanut butter; 225 grams (7.9 ounces) coconut sugar; 1 large egg; 185 grams (6.5 ounces) plain flour; 60 grams (2.1 ounces) dairy-free butter; 1 teaspoon vanilla essence; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 2 tablespoons milk (optional, for dough consistency); 15 teaspoons boysenberry jelly or any jam of choice; 15 chocolate truffle balls; 1 white writing icing tube; 30 black sesame seeds; 1 black writing icing tube

Creepy-crawly treats take center stage with these wickedly delicious peanut butter spider cookies that crawl right into Halloween party platters.

Spooky desserts never looked so tempting and delectable.

Dark chocolate legs stretch across soft, chewy cookie surfaces, creating edible arachnid artwork.

Kids and adults alike will marvel at these playful confections that blend sweet and slightly scary elements.

The recipe combines classic peanut butter cookie comfort with festive Halloween design.

Chocolate candies and creative decorating techniques transform simple cookies into memorable seasonal treats.

Prepare to spin a web of deliciousness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

FAQs

What ingredients do I need for the Peanut Butter Spider Cookies?

You’ll need a food processor to mix the dough, peanut butter, and other basic baking ingredients. Key toppings include chocolate truffles, jelly or jam, white and black writing icing, and black sesame seeds.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids will love creating the spider-shaped cookies. The decorating process is fun and easy, allowing children to help pipe the legs and add eyes to make cute spider-shaped treats.

How can I tell if the cookie dough is the right consistency?

The dough should stick together easily. If it’s too dry, add milk one tablespoon at a time while blending in the food processor until it forms a cohesive mixture that can be rolled into balls.

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Treats That Bring Smiles

Transform ordinary cookies into adorable spider-themed treats that kids and adults will absolutely love.
Mix ingredients in a food processor, roll into balls, and decorate with minimal baking skills required, making it perfect for novice bakers.
Wow guests with creative cookie design that combines chocolate, jelly, and playful spider decoration, guaranteeing smiles and excitement at any festive gathering.
Engage children in a fun baking experience where they can help shape cookies, fill centers, and add cute spider details, turning cooking into a memorable family activity.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

Cookie Base:

Peanut Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that provides the foundational flavor and texture for the cookies.
Flour: The key structure-building ingredient that helps hold the cookie together.
Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cookie texture.

Binding Ingredients:

Egg: Helps bind the ingredients and provides structure to the cookie dough.
Milk: Assists in achieving the right dough consistency and adds moisture.

Decorative Toppings:

Chocolate Truffle, Jelly or Jam: Creates a delicious center filling for the cookie.
White Writing Icing, Black Writing Icing: Allows for precise decoration of spider details.
Black Sesame Seeds: Provides small, dark pupils for the spider eyes.

Additional Elements:

Baking Paper: Ensures cookies do not stick to the baking tray and helps with easy cleanup.

Food Processor: Essential for blending ingredients into a smooth dough quickly and evenly.
Baking Tray: Large sheet lined with baking paper to hold and bake cookies perfectly.
Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool down evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
Teaspoon: Used for reshaping cookie centers and measuring jam filling.
Writing Icing Tubes: White and black tubes for creating spider eyes and legs with precision.
Measuring Tablespoon: Helps add milk to dough if it's too dry.
Mixing Bowls: Optional for preparing ingredients before processing.

Simple Steps for Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 180°C (350°F).

Grab a large baking sheet and line it with parchment paper to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Blend the Magical Dough

Toss these ingredients into a food processor:

Peanut butter
Flour
Sugar
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Baking soda

Pulse everything together until a smooth, cohesive dough forms.

If the mixture seems too dry, splash in a bit of milk to help it come together.

Step 3: Roll and Shape Cookie Monsters

Use your hands to roll the dough into golf ball-sized rounds.

Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet.

Gently press your thumb or the back of a spoon into the center of each cookie to create a cozy little nest.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 15 minutes until the edges turn a lovely golden brown.

Once done, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack.

While they’re still warm, use a teaspoon to touch up the center indentations if needed.

Step 5: Fill with Spooky Goodness

After the cookies cool completely, dollop a generous spoonful of jelly or jam into each cookie’s center.

Crown each with a chocolate truffle to create the spider’s body.

Step 6: Create Creepy Spider Eyes

Grab white icing and pipe two tiny dots on top of each truffle.

Place a black sesame seed in the center of each dot to make realistic pupils.

Step 7: Spin Spider Legs

Using black writing icing, carefully pipe four legs on each side of the cookie.

These wiggly lines will transform your treats into adorable edible spiders perfect for Halloween or any spooky celebration!

Pro Tips for Making Spider Cookies at Home

Add milk gradually if the dough feels dry, ensuring a smooth, pliable texture that holds together easily.
Use a kitchen scale to weigh 45g balls for uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professional.
Gently press the centers with a teaspoon immediately after baking to maintain a clear indentation for jelly filling.
Pipe icing carefully and steadily to create clean, precise spider legs and eyes for a neat Halloween treat.
Select high-quality jam and chocolate truffles to enhance the overall flavor and visual appeal of the spider cookies.

Gluten-Free Spider Cookies: Replace regular flour with almond or coconut flour for a gluten-free version that maintains the same delicious texture and flavor.
Vegan Spider Treats: Swap butter with coconut oil, use plant-based chocolate truffles, and replace eggs with a flax egg substitute to create a completely vegan-friendly cookie.
Nut-Free Halloween Cookies: Substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or cookie butter for those with nut allergies, keeping the spooky spider design intact.
Low-Sugar Spider Snacks: Use sugar-free jam, dark chocolate with no added sugar, and replace regular sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a diabetic-friendly option.

How to Serve Spider Cookies for Fun

Spooky Spider Snack Platter: Arrange cookies on a dark-colored tray with fake cobwebs for dramatic Halloween party presentation.
Creepy Kiddie Dessert: Let children help decorate legs and eyes, turning cookie-making into a fun family activity that sparks creativity.
Themed Party Treat: Serve these cookies at Halloween gatherings, using them as cute edible decorations that double as delicious desserts for guests.
Gourmet Gift Idea: Package cookies in clear Halloween-themed boxes with orange ribbons as personalized homemade treats for friends and family.

Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them away from strong-smelling foods to preserve their delicate flavor.
Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Warm cookies for 10-15 seconds on a microwave-safe plate, checking to prevent chocolate from melting completely. Best enjoyed slightly cool to maintain truffle and icing details.
Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, placing a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve decoration integrity.

Marcus Reed

Founder & Food Content Creator

Expertise

Single-recipe development, Seasonal and local ingredient utilization, Food photography and styling, Culinary writing and content creation

Education

Culinary Arts Certificate, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, WV
Focus: Fundamentals of culinary techniques, emphasizing hands-on experience in small-scale kitchen settings.

Marcus’s story begins in Asheville, where good food and family kitchens shaped his earliest memories. After hands-on culinary training and a lot of trial (and a little error), he realized that real cooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
At Pan and Oven, Marcus crafts recipes that are easy to follow, packed with flavor, and built for real kitchens.

Spooky Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe for Halloween Fun

FAQs

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Treats That Bring Smiles

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Spider Cookies