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Peanut Butter Spider Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 138 reviews

These Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are a fun and festive treat perfect for Halloween or any spooky occasion. Soft peanut butter cookies rolled in sugar are topped with chocolate-filled candy spheres and candy eyeballs to create adorable, creepy spider faces. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate makes these cookies deliciously irresistible and perfect for sharing with friends and family.

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 light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  3. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to handle.
  4. Form the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in the ¼ cup of white sugar to coat evenly. Place the sugar-coated dough balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
  5. Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they are just set and slightly golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on the baking sheet.
  6. Add Chocolate Spheres: While the cookies are still warm, gently press one cold chocolate candy sphere in the center of each cookie. This will slightly melt the chocolate and help it adhere.
  7. Decorate the Spiders: Use the prepared chocolate frosting to attach two candy eyeballs to each chocolate sphere, creating the spider’s eyes. Also, pipe or spread chocolate frosting around the candy to create spider legs or other decorative features as desired.
  8. Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet so the chocolate spheres and frosting set firmly.
  9. Serve and Enjoy: Once cooled, transfer the cookies to a serving plate. These festive Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are ready to delight guests with their spooky charm and delicious flavor.

Notes

  • Make sure the chocolate spheres are well chilled before placing on warm cookies to prevent excessive melting.
  • Use prepared chocolate frosting for easy and clean decorating.
  • For a smaller batch, halve the recipe accordingly.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for a longer shelf life.
  • Decorate with additional frosting details if desired to enhance the spider design.