Spooky Spider Chocolate Treats (Printer-Friendly)
Chocolate cookies with peanut butter cups, pretzel legs, and candy eyes create a spooky Halloween treat.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Cookie Dough
01 -
1 cup unsalted butter, softened (room temperature)
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1 cup packed brown sugar
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Decorations
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10 mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped
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Pretzel sticks, broken into halves for spider legs
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20 candy eyes (2 per cookie)
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1/4 cup melted chocolate or icing (optional, for attaching eyes)
# Steps to Make This:
01 -
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
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In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy to ensure a soft, chewy texture.
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Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
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Whisk all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
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Gradually add dry mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent toughness.
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Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
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While cookies are warm, press one mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie to form spider bodies.
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Insert 8 pretzel stick halves (4 on each side) gently around the peanut butter cup to mimic spider legs, taking care not to break cookies.
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Use melted chocolate or icing to secure two candy eyes onto each peanut butter cup, positioning creatively.
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Allow cookies to cool completely so decorations set firmly. Serve on a festive plate.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Bake cookies a day in advance and decorate before serving to save time.