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

If you’re on the hunt for a fun, festive treat that’s as adorable as it is delicious, you’ve got to try my Spider Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese’s and Candy Eyes Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies come together with just a few simple ingredients but pack a serious flavor punch and the cutest Halloween vibe. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become a favorite for parties, school treats, or anytime you want to wow friends and family with something both creative and tasty.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

What’s great is that these ingredients are pantry staples with just a few special additions. Plus, the peanut butter and Reese’s work together like peanut butter and jelly – such a perfect duo! Here’s what you’ll want on hand before we get baking.

• Creamy peanut butter: Choose your favorite brand; creamy works best for a smooth dough that binds easily.
• Granulated sugar: Adding a bit more for rolling gives a lovely sparkle and slight crunch to the cookie edges.
• Egg: This binds everything together – be sure it’s at room temperature for the best texture.
• Chocolate melting wafers: They melt smoothly for decorating—bittersweet or milk chocolate both work.
• Miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups: The star toppings – choose mini-sized ones for perfect cookie “bodies.”
• Mini candy eyes: These cute little eyes bring the spiders to life and make decorating super fun!

Variations

One thing I love about this Spider Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese’s and Candy Eyes Recipe is how easy it is to play around with the details. I’ve had fun tweaking it based on what I have or the occasion — and you’ll enjoy making it your own too!

• Nut-free option: I once made a batch using sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter—while the flavor changes, the texture stayed just right and everyone loved them.
• Dark chocolate twist: Swap the milk chocolate melting wafers for dark chocolate to deepen the chocolate flavor for grown-up palates.
• Spicy kick: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne to the dough gives a little unexpected warmth that’s perfect for fall.
• Extra crunch: Mix in some chopped peanuts or pretzel bits for texture surprises—a crowd favorite at my last Halloween party.

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

Step 1: Whip Up Your Peanut Butter Cookie Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. In a medium bowl, mix together 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1 egg. I like using a wooden spoon for this — the dough comes together pretty quickly. If your dough feels a little too sticky to handle, pop it in the fridge for 10-20 minutes. This trick makes rolling out the dough a breeze and stops it from sticking to your hands.

Step 2: Roll and Sugar-Coat Your Cookies

Using a medium cookie scoop or your hands, divide the dough into 12 balls, about 1 inch each. Drop them into a bowl of sugar and roll around to coat completely. This little sugar shell helps keep the cookie edges crisp and adds shimmer—one of my favorite details! Place the sugared dough balls onto your baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Press down each ball gently with a fork, creating that classic peanut butter cookie crisscross pattern.

Step 3: Bake ‘Em Right

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes. You want them to be just lightly golden on the bottom but still soft. This keeps the texture nice and chewy in the center after cooling. Let the cookies rest on the pan for 2 minutes once out of the oven—that little resting time helps prevent breakage when you move them later.

Step 4: Add The Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

While your cookies are still warm, gently press one miniature Reese’s peanut butter cup on top of each. The warmth slightly melts the bottom of the cup, so it sticks perfectly when the cookies cool. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely before moving on to decorating.

Step 5: Decorate the Spiders!

Time for the fun part: melt your chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second increments and stirring between each until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate into a small zip-top bag and snip off a tiny corner to use as a piping bag. Pipe two dots of chocolate on each Reese’s cup and immediately add two mini candy eyes on top, pressing lightly so they stick. Then carefully draw four legs on each side of the peanut butter cup. Let the chocolate harden before serving. I love that these spiders look playful but not too spooky—perfect for all ages!

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

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple and let the cookies shine as the main attraction. But if you want to up the festive factor, dust these spider cookies lightly with colored sugar or edible glitter for an extra sparkle. You can also add a few extra candy eyes around the platter to make it look like a spider colony—kids think that’s hilarious!

Side Dishes

For a Halloween party spread, I often pair these cookies with a bowl of creamy vanilla or chocolate pudding cups, or a simple glass of cold milk. They also go surprisingly well alongside pumpkin-flavored treats like muffins or spiced cider for a true fall vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

Last year, I arranged these spider peanut butter cookies on a dark slate board surrounded by fake spider webs and small plastic spiders for a delightfully spooky dessert table centerpiece. Another fun idea is to place them in a cupcake liner “web” nest or to package them in clear cellophane bags tied with black and orange ribbons for party favors. Presentation really amps up the fun!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You’ll want to store these in an airtight container at room temperature. I usually stack them in a single layer with parchment paper between layers to keep from squishing the decorations. They stay fresh for up to 4 days—plenty of time to enjoy them with your family or friends.

Freezing

If you want to freeze them, I recommend freezing the plain baked cookies first before adding candy eyes and chocolate legs. Wrap each cookie well in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. When ready to serve, thaw them and then decorate fresh to keep those eyes and legs looking their best.

Reheating

These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature. If you want to warm them up a bit, pop a cookie in the microwave for 5-7 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked softness. Just avoid overheating or the chocolate might melt and decorations could shift.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I really can’t recommend this Spider Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese’s and Candy Eyes Recipe enough. It was a game-changer for me when I wanted a Halloween treat that was simple to make but super cute and sooo tasty. The peanut butter and Reese’s combo is a total crowd-pleaser, and decorating with candy eyes adds that playful touch that makes everyone smile. So grab your apron, invite some helpers into the kitchen, and get ready to bake a batch of these spooky sweet delights—the smiles and compliments you get will make it all worth it!

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