Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

Name: Peanut Butter Spider Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: cookies
Ingredients: 12 chocolate peanut butter cups (I use my homemade peanut butter cup recipe but you can definitely use store-bought peanut butter cups to save time!); 1 cup coconut sugar; 2 eggs; 1 1/2 cup peanut butter:; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 24 candy eyeballs (12 cookies – 2 eyeballs per cookie)

October 7, 2020 (last updated August 28, 2021) // 4 Comments » //★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews

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two peanut butter cookies decorated like spiders with legs and candy eyeballs, one cookie stacked on top of the other — Adorable Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are perfect for Halloween! They’re naturally gluten free and make for a spooky family-friendly treat!

Something about this year is making me very hyped about Halloween. I think my enthusiasm is because the kids aren’t getting a traditional trick-or-treating experience this year so I’m extra attune to making it special for them.

I made these spider cookies a few years ago and have been meaning to get them up on my site ever since.

The base of these cookies are my favorite peanut butter cookies. But, I’ve also made these with this no-bake peanut butter cookie base and they’re so fun and easy.

overhead image of peanut butter cookies with chocolate peanut butter cups, chocolate lines and candy eyeballs decorated like a spider

Halloween Peanut Butter Spider Cookies:

There’s something about those candy eyeballs that just made me so happy.

I couldn’t stop thinking about all the things I could put candy eyeballs on. Brownies. Bananas. Yogurt? Slices of toast? I was seeing candy eyeballs everywhere.

These spooky halloween spider cookies are the perfect peanut butter treat to sink you teeth into.

The cookie is fudgey and dense. The chocolate peanut butter cup is smooth and chocolatey. The eyeballs are adorable. If you want a fun Halloween activity… or as my kids call it, a snack-tivity… you’ll love these peanut butter spider cookies!

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Spider Cookies:

chocolate peanut butter cups: I use my homemade peanut butter cup recipe but you can definitely use store-bought peanut butter cups to save time!
peanut butter: I use natural peanut butter. You could also use another nut/seed butter if you prefer!
coconut sugar
eggs
vanilla
salt
chocolate chips: we’ll melt them and then draw on the legs!
candy eyeballs: I buy them off amazon but I think I’ve seen them at Target and craft stores as well.

hand holding peanut butter cookie with an upside down peanut butter cup, candy eyeballs and chocolate legs to appear like a spider

How to make Halloween Spider Cookies:

They’re so simple and SO CUTE! If you’re making your own chocolate peanut butter cups, check out this step by step tutorial.

It’s nice to do this a day ahead of time so the cups can chill and harden. But, really you only need an hour or so before you’re ready to make the cookies.

Use an electric mixer to combine the coconut sugar and eggs. Add the peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix again until combined.

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the cookie dough into your hands and roll into a smooth ball.

Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a fork to press down the tops in a criss-cross pattern.

Bake for 10 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack for about 10 minutes.

Turn the peanut butter cups upside down and press on the tops of the peanut butter cookies. Since the cookies are still warm, the cups will melt a bit.

Once the peanut butter cups look a bit melted, place two eyeballs onto the peanut butter cups.

Melt the chocolate chips and place them in a small plastic baggie. Close the baggie and cut off a small corner. Draw 8 legs on each peanut butter cookie coming out from the peanut butter cup and onto the peanut butter cookie.

Place the cookies in the fridge to set the chocolate.