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Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe

4.9 from 59 reviews

These Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are a fun and festive treat perfect for Halloween or any occasion where you want to impress with adorable spider-shaped cookies. Made from a classic peanut butter cookie base, they’re rolled in sugar and topped with rich chocolate truffles and candy eyeballs for a spooky, playful twist. The cookies combine creamy peanut butter, a touch of sweetness, and a delightful chewy texture, finished with decorative details that kids and adults alike will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 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

Decorations

  • 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

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
  2. Form and Roll Cookies: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in the ¼ cup white sugar to coat them evenly. Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  3. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned but the centers are still soft. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  4. Decorate Spiders: Once the cookies are cool, use about a teaspoon of prepared chocolate frosting on each cookie as glue. Place one chilled chocolate candy sphere in the center of each cookie to create the spider’s body. Attach two candy eyeballs to the chocolate sphere using additional frosting. To form the spider legs, spread chocolate frosting in eight lines coming out from under the candy sphere, resembling spider legs. Allow the frosting to set before serving.

Notes

  • For best results, chill the chocolate truffles until just before assembling to prevent melting while handling.
  • You can substitute shortening with unsalted butter for a richer flavor, but the texture might be slightly different.
  • If you cannot find candy eyeballs, small dots of white and dark chocolate can be piped to create eyes.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • These cookies are perfect for Halloween parties or themed events with children.

Keywords: Peanut Butter Cookies, Spider Cookies, Halloween Cookies, Chocolate Candy, Festive Desserts, Peanut Butter Dessert