These adorable spider cookies are such a wonderful and simple twist on chocolate chip cookies that you will wonder where these were when you were growing up, I know I sure do.
So if you were on the hunt for amazing Halloween cookie ideas you have come to the right place. Your family might just start making all the chocolate chip cookies with spiders.
Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Spider Cookies
To make these easy Halloween Spider Cookies, you will need:
Butter: Use salted butter for best flavor.
Butter flavored Crisco: Real butter tastes so amazing but trading out half the butter for Butter flavored Crisco means a more light and fluffy cookie.
These Halloween chocolate chip cookies can easily be made using all butter and no Crisco or the other way around.
Sea salt: When making Halloween spider cookies I like to use sea salt. This is purely because I find the flavor more enjoyable. If you prefer to use a different salt then by all means feel free to! You can even go with a no/low sodium salt if you have dietary concerns.
Chocolate chips: I love using dark chocolate like these 60% dark chocolate chips by Ghiradelli. They add just the right amount of bitterness without making the cookies overly sweet.
How to Make Perfect Cookie Batter
To get started making these easy Halloween cookies, combine all the dry ingredients into a medium bowl.
Then use an electric mixer to mix together the the butter, crisco and sugars until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs and vanilla flavoring to the bowl with the butter and use the mixer until everything is well mixed.
Add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix with a spoon. Add more flour as needed until the dough can be lightly touched without sticking to your fingers.
Stir in the chocolate chips. When mixed together roll dough into 1-2 inch balls. Place them on the baking sheet with space in between. Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes.
How to Turn Them Into Spider Cookies
If you already know how to make chocolate chip cookies, then you know how to make them with little spiders on them. 99% of the steps are exactly the same. The real magic and all the fun comes at the end when it is time to put the little spider legs on the chocolate chips.
There are two easy ways to add the legs.
- Use a toothpick and drag some of the chocolate out of the melted chip while the cookies are hot and just out of the oven.
- Pipe on little legs with some melted chocolate in an extra small piping bag. If you do go with piping, make sure that the cookies have completely cooled first.
Variations on These Easy Halloween Cookies
The types of chocolate chips you use don’t make a whole lot of difference, and in fact, that is one way you can change this recipe up.
They can be white, milk or dark chocolate chips!! You can even chunks of chocolate rather than chips that works too to make larger spiders with less round shapes!
Other options might be to really change up the recipe by using butterscotch or peanut butter chips in addition or in place of the chocolate chips.
But the most fun is to really go wild and mix them all up in a bowl together so every cookie ends up with a little bit of everything!
Make Gluten-Free Halloween Cookies
You can make these cookies gluten-free by substituting the flour with a 1 to 1 gluten-free all-purpose flour mix. Use equal amounts as you would have with the regular flour and they will come out exactly the same.
Most chocolate chip brands are gluten-free, including all of the most popular ones you will find in the supermarket, but check to be safe. Baking powder and baking soda are by their very nature gluten-free, as are the rest of the ingredients for this recipe.
How to Store Your Halloween Spider Cookies
These chocolate chip spider cookies will keep for about 3 days once they’re baked as long as you store them in an airtight container. Can I freeze baked cookies??
You can also make the dough last longer by making the dough and freezing it without baking it.
You can either roll the dough into balls before freezing, or place in a freezer safe container or bag in one piece.
I personally like to shape mine into dough balls before freezing and allow them to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before baking. They turn out perfect everytime this way!
In the freezer, your dough will stay good for about 3 months. Just make sure that it’s in a sealed freezer bag.
Freezing the dough might give the cookies a slightly different taste than you would have if your cookies were fresh.
Can I freeze baked cookies?
Yes! You can freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. When I freeze cookies, I like to bring them to room temperature and warm them in the microwave for just a few seconds to bring back that "fresh from the oven" flavor.
What to Serve with Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies For A Party
These fun spider chocolate chip cookies are always a hit with my kids and their friends when I serve them up for a party. They're even a fun option for grown up parties too!
Here are more Halloween and Fall Themed Snacks to serve up for your event:
And don't forget to make a DIY Spell Book for decoration or a fun party gift!
Expert Tips and FAQS
The combination of butter and crisco is my favorite! Butter is better for flavor, but the crisco helps keep the cookies light and fluffy.
Make Halloween chocolate chip cookies with different types of chocolate chips. Try chunks, white chocolate, dark chocolate, butterscotch or peanut butter.
Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before piping the legs.
Use a toothpick or extra small piping bag to get the lines for the spider legs precise.
Cool completely before moving.
Use sea salt for best flavor.
Light and fluffy cookies are the result of using both crisco and butter. Butter helps with the flavor, but is heavy. Crisco helps keep the cookie nice and light.
If your cookie dough is too sticky to handle that means you need to add a little extra flour. Even if you are extremely careful as you measure, it is still possible to need to tweak things slightly. Add a Tablespoon of flour at a time until you can lightly tap your dough without it sticking to your finger.
More Fun Halloween Recipes
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!
Chocolate Chip Spider Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter softened
- ½ cup crisco butter flavored
- 1 cup white (granulated) sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 2 Tablespoons melted chocolate optional if piping legs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl mix the flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder. Set aside.
- Cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the eggs and vanilla until combined.
- Mix in the dry ingredients until combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Roll dough into 1-2 inch balls and place evenly apart on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and place 3 chocolate chips, pointed side inside each cookie.
- Use a piping bag or a toothpick to make spider legs on each chocolate chip with the extra melted chocolate.
Notes
Nutrition
