Spider Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese’s and Candy Eyes Recipe

If you’re hunting for a fun, festive treat that’s sure to bring a smile (and maybe a little spooky delight), then you’re going to love this Spider Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese’s and Candy Eyes Recipe. I absolutely love how this recipe comes together quickly, and the result is just adorable—perfect for Halloween parties or anytime you want to surprise your guests with something playful and peanut buttery.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll find that this recipe keeps things super simple, using classic pantry staples that work perfectly together to create a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie base with a fun spooky twist.

• Creamy peanut butter: Opt for smooth to make rolling and mixing easier, plus it creates a soft texture for your cookies.
• Granulated sugar: Regular white sugar adds that essential sweetness and helps with the cookies’ slight crunch on the outside.
• Egg: Just one egg binds everything together without weighing the cookies down.
• Chocolate melting wafers: These melt perfectly for decorating—no clumping or seizing like regular chocolate sometimes does.
• Miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups: The star topping! Their peanut butter filling complements the cookie itself and makes each one look like a spider’s body.
• Mini candy eyes: These give your cookies that cute, creepy spider vibe and are super easy to stick on with melted chocolate.

Variations

I love personalizing recipes like this one—you can easily swap ingredients or add your own creative flair. Here’s how I’ve tweaked the Spider Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese’s and Candy Eyes Recipe in the past:

• Gluten-Free Option: I once replaced the peanut butter with a sunflower seed butter to make these safe for nut allergies, and they turned out just as yummy and kid-approved.
• Nut-Free Alternative: Using a cookie base like classic sugar cookie dough, then topping with mini chocolate candies and candy eyes, works great if peanut butter’s a no-go at your house.
• Extra Crunch: Adding chopped peanuts into the cookie dough gives a delightful texture contrast that my family really enjoys.

How to Make Spider Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese’s and Candy Eyes Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and get a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat—it makes cleanup a breeze. In a medium bowl, mix together the creamy peanut butter, sugar, and egg until fully combined. If you find the dough a bit sticky, I recommend chilling it for about 10-20 minutes—that little rest helps with rolling later on and keeps the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

Step 2: Shape, Sugar-Coat, and Prepare for Baking

Grab a medium cookie scoop or just your hands and roll the dough into 12 equal-sized balls, roughly 1 inch each. Dunk each ball in granulated sugar—it adds a nice shimmer and slight crunch. Place them spaced out on your baking sheet and press down gently with a fork, making that classic criss-cross pattern you know and love. This marks the perfect peanut butter cookie signature and helps them bake evenly.

Step 3: Bake Until Just Golden

Bake the cookies for about 8-10 minutes, keeping an eye for that very light browning on the bottom. Don’t worry if the tops look a little soft—they’ll firm up while cooling. I like to let them rest on the pan for 2 minutes once out of the oven, which makes handling easier and prevents breakage.

Step 4: Add the Reese’s and Let Them Cool

While the cookies are still warm, gently press a miniature Reese’s peanut butter cup on top of each one. This little heat softens the candy cup slightly so it sticks perfectly as it cools. Transfer your cookies to a wire rack and let them cool fully before moving on—this step is key so the chocolate decoration stays neat.

Step 5: Decorate Your Spiders with Chocolate and Candy Eyes

Melt the chocolate melting wafers in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring in between so it’s smooth and glossy. Pour your melted chocolate into a zip-top bag and snip a tiny corner for easy decorating. Pipe two little dots on each Reese’s cup for eyes, then gently attach two candy eyes right on top. Next, draw four thin legs on each side of the cup to complete your spider’s look. Let the chocolate set for at least 20 minutes before serving.

How to Serve Spider Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese’s and Candy Eyes Recipe

Garnishes

I usually leave these cookies pretty bare since the Reese’s and candy eyes do all the talking—but if I want to kick things up a notch, a light drizzle of caramel or a sprinkle of edible glitter works wonders for a party table. Some fresh mint leaves on the side add a nice pop of color and freshness as well!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk (classic combo, right?), or a hot cup of coffee or cocoa. I’ve also served them alongside a spooky themed fruit platter with grapes, berries, and sliced apples for a nice balance of sweet and fresh flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween parties, I like arranging the spider cookies in a circle on a large platter with spider web doilies underneath to set the mood. Placing little plastic spiders around the plate doubles down on the creepy fun! Another time, I put each cookie in a clear cellophane bag tied with black and orange ribbons—perfect for gifting or classroom treats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing these spider cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days. Just be careful stacking them, as the candy eyes and chocolate decorations can be delicate—placing parchment paper between layers helps keep everything intact.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead of time, you can freeze the baked cookies (without the chocolate decorations) in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw completely, then add the Reese’s and decorate as usual.

Reheating

To freshen up leftover cookies, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds—just enough to soften the peanut butter slightly without melting the chocolate decorations. This revives that fresh-baked feel and makes each bite even better.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Spider Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese’s and Candy Eyes Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites whenever I want something easy, cute, and delicious. It sparks joy every time I make it, especially watching kids’ faces light up at those goofy, chocolate-covered spider legs. I hope you give it a try—you’ll find it’s a delightful mix of sweet and fun that’s perfect for celebrating any occasion that calls for a little whimsy in the kitchen!

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