Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

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Halloween is a season filled with fun, creativity, and sweet treats, and these Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are a spooky (but oh-so-cute) addition to your seasonal baking list! This playful twist on the classic peanut butter blossom cookie combines soft, chewy textures with the rich flavor of peanut butter and chocolate, all while incorporating the fun of decorating cookies with “spiders” made from Whoppers and chocolate ganache.

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Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

These cookies bring charm and flavor together, making them an instant hit with kids and adults alike. Here are a few reasons you’ll love these Peanut Butter Spider Cookies:

• Fun to Make with Kids: With easy decoration steps, even little ones can join in and help bring the spiders to life.
• Halloween-Perfect: Ideal for parties, school events, or as spooky gifts for friends, family, and neighbors.
• Simple Ingredients: Most of these ingredients are pantry staples, so there’s no need for elaborate shopping.
• Peanut Butter and Chocolate: Always a winning combination, these cookies deliver a decadent, satisfying bite.
• Adorable Presentation: Each cookie is topped with a spider that’s spooky yet cute, perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to Halloween festivities.

Ingredient Breakdown

For the Cookies:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Adds structure and softness to the cookies.
• ½ tsp baking soda & ½ tsp baking powder: These leavening agents ensure the cookies have a slight rise and remain soft.
• ½ cup salted butter, softened: Provides a rich, creamy base; use salted for best flavor balance, but if using unsalted, add a pinch of salt.
• ½ cup granulated sugar & ½ cup brown sugar: A combination that gives both sweetness and a slightly chewy texture, with brown sugar adding a hint of molasses.
• 1 egg: Adds moisture and binds the dough together.
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter: Gives the cookies their signature flavor; avoid natural peanut butter for best results.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.

For the Spider Decoration:

• 44 Whoppers (or other malted milk balls): These make the “heads” and “bodies” of the spider.
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melted for creating the spider legs.
• 1 small tube white cake decorating gel: Used to add the whites of the spider’s eyes.
• Black nonpareil sprinkles (optional): For the pupils of the eyes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set this dry mixture aside.
• In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
• Add the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, and blend until fully combined.
• Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.

2. Shape the Cookies

• Using a 2-tablespoon scoop, scoop dough into small balls.
• Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar for a delicate crunch on the outside.
• Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving a bit of space between them.

3. Bake the Cookies

• Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are just starting to turn golden around the edges.
• Remove from the oven and let the cookies sit for a couple of minutes.

4. Decorate with the Spiders

• While the cookies are baking, sort out your Whoppers into 22 large and 22 small balls (one for each spider’s head and body).
• Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press a large and a small Whopper into the center of each warm cookie to form the spider’s body and head.
• Let the cookies cool for a few minutes before moving on to the chocolate decorations.

5. Add the Spider Legs

• Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until smooth. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler.
• Pour the melted chocolate into a piping bag or a plastic bag with a small snip at the corner.
• Pipe eight legs on each spider by creating small “V” shapes from the center of each Whopper (four on each side).

6. Add the Eyes

• Using white cake decorating gel, add two small dots on the spider’s head for eyes.
• Place a black nonpareil sprinkle or a dot of chocolate in the center of each white dot to complete the look.

Flavor, Texture, and Aroma

These cookies strike a delightful balance between sweet, nutty, and slightly salty. The peanut butter flavor shines through, complemented by the gentle crisp of sugar on the outside and the soft, tender middle. The addition of chocolate gives the cookie a velvety richness that pairs beautifully with the malted crunch of the Whoppers. The aroma alone—warm peanut butter and chocolate—will fill your kitchen with a cozy, autumnal feel.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Spider Cookies

1. Make it Kid-Friendly: Encourage kids to help assemble the spiders! Give them the task of placing Whoppers on the cookies and adding legs and eyes. This makes for a fun family baking experience.
2. If Chocolate Seizes: If the chocolate becomes too thick while piping, simply place the piping bag into a zip-lock bag and immerse it in warm water until the chocolate loosens.
3. Skip Rolling in Sugar: For a smoother texture, you can skip rolling the dough in sugar. However, the sugar adds a nice contrast to the soft interior.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

• Use Mini Peanut Butter Cups or Rolos: Swap the Whoppers for mini Reese’s peanut butter cups or Rolos to add a little caramel touch to your spiders.
• Make it Gluten-Free: Substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies celiac-friendly.
• Nut-Free Option: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter if allergies are a concern.

Serving Suggestions and Storage

• Halloween Parties: Display on a Halloween-themed platter or place each cookie in a cupcake liner to make them easier to grab.
• School Lunches: Wrap individually and place in lunchboxes as a festive October treat.
• Gifts for Neighbors: Package in small Halloween-themed bags for a unique seasonal gift.

Storage Options:

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
• Refrigerator: The cookies last up to a week, although they’re best enjoyed fresh.
• Freezing: Freeze the unbaked cookie dough or the finished cookies in an airtight bag for up to 3 months. Be cautious with the finished cookies, as the legs can be fragile when frozen.

Final Thoughts

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies bring the joy of baking to life in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh. These cookies don’t just satisfy a sweet tooth—they invite creativity and fun into the kitchen. Perfect for October festivities, they bring together family and friends for a shared experience that’s sure to become an annual tradition. So, grab the kids, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to create a batch of cookies that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat!