Halloween is the perfect excuse to get a little playful in the kitchen, and these Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are a family favorite. They start with a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie and get topped with mini Reese’s cups, candy eyes, and chocolate legs. The result is an adorable (and delicious) spooky spider that kids will love making as much as they love eating.
This recipe is quick to prepare and perfect for a Halloween party, handing out to neighbors, or just making a cozy October afternoon extra special. It is simple enough for kids to help with every step, from rolling the dough to decorating their little cookie spiders.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Takes just over an hour from start to finish, with only 25 minutes of hands-on prep
- Uses basic pantry ingredients and kid-approved candy
- Peanut butter and chocolate are always a winning pair
- Decorating doubles as a fun craft activity for the whole family
- Makes 25 cookies, perfect for sharing at parties or playdates
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 25 mini Reese’s cups (chilled)
- Black cookie icing
- 25 pairs of candy eyes
How to Make Them
- Cream butter, sugars, and peanut butter, then add egg and vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Chill dough for 1 hour along with the Reese’s cups.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and bake at 350°F for 10–11 minutes until lightly cracked.
- Press a chilled Reese’s into each warm cookie and let cool.
- Pipe on eight legs with icing and attach candy eyes.
Storage
Keep cookies in an airtight container for 3–5 days or freeze up to 3 months.
These Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are the cutest way to bring a little Halloween magic into your home. Grab the kids, set out the candy, and enjoy making sweet memories together.
Get the full recipe here.
Updated August 23, 2026 to reflect substantive changes.
