If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and utterly delicious treat that’s guaranteed to bring smiles, you’ve come to the right place. This Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe combines the rich creaminess of peanut butter with the indulgent gooeyness of Reese’s peanut butter cups, topped off with adorable candy eyes and spider legs drawn with black icing. Perfect for Halloween parties, family gatherings, or whenever you want a cookie that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat, these cookies strike the perfect balance between sweet, nutty, and playful. Let me take you through every step to make these creepy-cute spiders come to life in your kitchen!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step toward cookie magic. Each item here is simple and familiar, yet together they create a flavor and texture harmony that will make these Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe truly stand out.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened): Provides a rich, creamy base that helps the cookies stay tender with the perfect crumb.
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient lending that classic peanut buttery richness that every spider body needs.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note for depth.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to a slight crunch on the edges.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a warm, aromatic touch.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and adds structure to the dough.
- 1 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: The foundation that gives shape without weighing down the cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and develop that charming cracked surface.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and boosts all the flavors.
- 25 miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups: These become the delicious “body” of each spider.
- 1 tube Black Cookie Icing: Perfect for drawing spider legs and adding spooky detail.
- 25 pairs candy eyes: Give life and character to your spider cookies with these fun little eyes.
How to Make Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Start by softening your butter to room temperature so it whips easily. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter together with brown and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 2 to 3 minutes. This process is key for that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 2: Add Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla
Next, add the creamy peanut butter to your butter-sugar mixture and continue mixing on medium until fully incorporated. Then, lower your mixer speed and add the egg along with the vanilla extract, mixing until just combined. This keeps your dough moist and flavorful.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add this mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until everything is just blended — be careful not to overmix to keep your cookies tender.
Step 4: Chill the Dough and Reese’s Cups
Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for one hour. This chilling step firms up the dough so your cookies hold their shape during baking. Don’t forget to lightly chill those miniature Reese’s cups too; cold cups will set nicely when pressed into warm cookies later.
Step 5: Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets
Once your dough has chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking. Having these ready will keep the process smooth as you shape your cookies.
Step 6: Shape and Bake Cookies
Form 1-inch balls of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake on the middle rack for 10 to 11 minutes, just until the tops start to crack and the edges look set. The cracks give a perfect base for our spider bodies.
Step 7: Add Reese’s Cups and Cool
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, gently press a chilled miniature Reese’s peanut butter cup right into the center of each cookie. Then, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack. The warmth from the cookie will soften the candy slightly, making it stick beautifully.
Step 8: Decorate Spider Legs and Eyes
After your cookies are completely cool, it’s time for the fun part. Using your black cookie icing, pipe eight spider legs by drawing four lines extending outward from each side of the Reese’s cup. Then, use little dabs of icing to attach pairs of candy eyes on top of the peanut butter cup. Each spider will have its own playful personality!
How to Serve Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To make your spider cookies even more eye-catching, consider sprinkling a bit of edible glitter or some crushed peanuts around the edges for a little extra texture and shine. A light dusting of powdered sugar can look like a morning dew effect on your creepy crawlers.
Side Dishes
Serve these delightful cookies alongside a cold glass of milk or a warm mug of hot chocolate to balance the rich peanut buttery flavor. For a Halloween party, pair them with pumpkin-flavored treats or a bowl of spiced apple cider for a cozy, seasonal vibe.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your peanut butter spiders on a large platter lined with faux spider webs or orange and black tissue paper to really set the spooky mood. You could also use cupcake liners as “nesting spots” or create a “spider web” by drizzling white icing around the cookies on your serving plate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover peanut butter spider cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps the cookies soft and the Reese’s cups fresh. If you want to maintain crispy edges, you might opt to separate layers with parchment paper.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked cookie dough balls by placing them on a tray until firm, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To freeze baked cookies, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature before decorating and serving.
Reheating
If you like your cookies a bit warm, gently heat them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it may make the Reese’s cups melt unevenly. Warming the cookies this way brings back that just-baked soft texture beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add a delightful little crunch to your cookies, adding an extra layer of texture. Just be sure to mix it well into the dough for even distribution.
What if I’m allergic to peanuts?
If peanut allergies are a concern, you can substitute the peanut butter and Reese’s cups with sunflower seed butter and allergy-friendly chocolate cups. The flavor will change, but your spider cookies will remain fun and delicious!
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough for the recommended hour is key to controlling spread. Also, be sure to measure your flour accurately and avoid over-mixing the dough to maintain the perfect consistency.
Can I make the spider legs with something other than black icing?
Definitely! If you want to switch things up, try melted chocolate or colored candy melts. Just pipe the legs carefully and allow them to set fully before serving.
Are these cookies suitable for kids to help make?
Yes! This Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe is great for little hands, especially during the decorating stage. Just handle the hot cookies yourself and let the kids enjoy pressing on eyes and piping legs for a fun family activity.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so joyful about creating cookies that are both playful and packed with flavor, and this Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe hits the mark perfectly. Whether you’re baking for a party, a holiday, or just because, these cute and tasty spiders are sure to charm everyone who tries them. Grab your mixing bowl, and let’s get baking — you won’t regret making these delightful treats a regular part of your sweet rotation!
Print
Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 25 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are a fun, festive treat perfect for Halloween or any spooky-themed party. These soft, chewy cookies feature a rich peanut butter flavor topped with miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups, decorated to look like spiders with candy eyes and black icing spider legs. Easy to prepare and bake, these cookies are a delightful combination of sweet and nutty flavors with a playful presentation that kids and adults alike will enjoy.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 3/4 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Decorations
- 25 miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups
- 1 tube black cookie icing
- 25 pairs of candy eyes
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then add the peanut butter and continue mixing on medium speed until fully combined.
- Add Egg, Vanilla, and Dry Ingredients: Reduce the mixer to low speed and add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined. Next, add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the bowl. Mix again on low speed until the dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a disc and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for one hour to chill and firm up for easier handling.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: While chilling the dough, place the miniature Reese’s cups in the refrigerator to keep them cool. After the hour, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Form and Bake Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets about two inches apart. Bake one sheet at a time on the middle oven rack for 10-11 minutes, or until the cookies begin to crack on the surface.
- Add Reese’s Cups: While baking, unwrap the miniature Reese’s cups and keep them chilled in the refrigerator. Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press one Reese’s cup into the center of each cookie. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Decorate the Spider Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, use black cookie icing to pipe eight spider legs—four lines extending outward and down from each side of the Reese’s cup. Use dabs of icing to attach two candy eyes onto each peanut butter cup body, completing the spider look.
Notes
- Keep the peanut butter cups chilled until just before decorating to prevent melting.
- If black cookie icing is unavailable, you can substitute with black decorating gel or melted chocolate piped through a fine tip.
- Use parchment paper on baking sheets for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- For a crunchy texture, bake cookies 1-2 minutes longer, but be careful not to overbake.
- You can prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it refrigerated until ready to bake.
