Description
Indulge in these whimsical and festive peanut butter spider cookies, a perfect treat for Halloween or themed gatherings. Combining a chewy, crackled peanut butter cookie base with a crunchy chocolate-coated malted milk ball body, these cookies offer a delightful contrast in texture and a rich flavor profile. Designed for both novice and expert bakers, this recipe ensures foolproof results with a stable, delicious dough that perfectly supports your spider creations, making them the centerpiece of any dessert table.
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
24 chocolate-coated malted milk balls
48 small candy eyes
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted for piping
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and coat them in additional granulated sugar.
Place the balls on the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set and tops are cracked.
Immediately upon removing from the oven, gently press one malted milk ball into the center of each cookie.
Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes, then use the melted chocolate to pipe eight legs onto each side of the malted milk ball body.
Attach two candy eyes to the front of each chocolate ball using a small dab of melted chocolate.
Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack to set the chocolate.
Notes
Use commercial creamy peanut butter rather than natural varieties to ensure the dough maintains its shape during baking. Ensure the oven is fully preheated for proper cracking. If the malted milk balls are too large, they can be halved or replaced with round chocolate truffles.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 12
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American