Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

4.8
(39)
29 Reviews
25 Photos

These spider cookies are a fun Halloween treat that are easy for kids to help make. I modified an idea I found online to be less expensive and easier to put together.

Submitted by What's for dinner, mom?
Updated on September 4, 2024
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Prep Time:
45 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
55 mins
Servings:
48
Yield:
48 cookies
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 48 servings

  • ½ cup shortening

  • ½ cup peanut butter

  • ½ cup packed brown sugar

  • ½ cup white sugar

  • 1 large egg, beaten

  • 2 tablespoons milk

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ cup white sugar for rolling

  • 24 chocolate candy spheres with smooth chocolate filling (such as Lindt Lindor Truffles), refrigerated until cold

  • 48 decorative candy eyeballs

  • ½ cup prepared chocolate frosting

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheets with baking parchment.

  2. Beat shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup white sugar together with an electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Beat egg into the creamy mixture until fully incorporated. Stir milk and vanilla extract into the mixture until smooth.

  3. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt together in a small bowl; add to peanut butter mixture in the large bowl and stir until completely incorporated into a dough. Divide and shape dough into 48 balls.

  4. Spread 1/4 cup white sugar into a wide, shallow bowl. Roll dough balls in sugar to coat and arrange about 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets.

  5. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove cookies from oven and quickly press a dimple into the middle of each cookie using the blunt end of a wooden spoon. Cool cookies on sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

  6. Cut each chocolate sphere into two hemispheres. Put one piece atop each cookie with the rounded side facing upwards.

  7. Spoon frosting into a pastry bag with a small round tip or a plastic freezer bag with one end snipped off. Dab a small amount of frosting onto the back of each candy eyeball and stick two onto each chocolate candy to resemble eyes. Then pipe frosting in four thin lines, starting at the base of the candy, on each side atop the cookie to resemble spider legs.

  8. Let frosting harden at room temperature, about 30 minutes. Store cookies in an airtight container.

Cook’s Note

I have a wooden citrus reamer that works great for making dimples in the cookies.

Keeping the chocolate candy chilled makes it easier to slice in half. The centers are on the soft side and will bend or crack if too warm.

98 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

117 Calories
6g Fat
14g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 48
Calories 117
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 7mg 2%
Sodium 78mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 2g 3%
Calcium 15mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 53mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.