Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Halloween chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with gooey chocolate and festive sprinkles. Each bite has a buttery sweetness that kids and adults both love. These cookies bake up golden and slightly crisp on the edges while staying tender inside. With candy eyes on top, they transform into playful little monsters, perfect for parties or trick-or-treat trays. Make them ahead to save time, or bake fresh for a cozy afternoon treat.

Why You’ll Love These Spooky Cookies

These Halloween chocolate chip cookies aren’t just delicious, they’re fun to decorate and serve. The sprinkles add a seasonal pop of color while the candy eyes bring them to life. They’re simple to make, and the dough requires minimal chill time for the best texture. Whether you’re baking for a Halloween gathering or filling a cookie jar, these are guaranteed to put a smile on every face.

Quick Overview

Prep takes only 10 minutes, with a chill time of at least 1.5 hours. Bake for about 12 minutes, and you’ll get 18–20 chewy, chocolate-packed cookies. Decorate warm cookies with candy eyes for a festive touch.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making these cookies doesn’t require anything fancy, just pantry basics with a spooky twist. You’ll use melted butter, sugar, brown sugar, an egg, vanilla, and flour for the dough. Baking soda and salt balance everything while chocolate chips bring gooey sweetness. The sprinkles and candy eyes turn them into a Halloween-ready treat.

Core Ingredients

Melted butter gives richness while both granulated and brown sugar add sweetness and a soft texture. Vanilla enhances flavor, and the egg binds the dough. All-purpose flour creates structure, and baking soda helps the cookies rise just enough. Chocolate chips are the star mix-in, melting into gooey bites.

Optional Add-ins & Decorations

You can stir in walnuts, pecans, or chopped Oreos for crunch. Sprinkles and candy eyes make them festive, but melted chocolate “spider legs” take them over the top.

How to Make Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Mix the Dough

Start by mixing melted butter with both sugars until smooth. Stir in the egg and vanilla until fully blended. Next, add flour, salt, and baking soda, mixing gently until combined. Over-mixing will make the cookies tough. Finally, fold in chocolate chips and colorful sprinkles. The dough will be soft but easy to scoop, so use a spoon or scoop for even portions.

Step 2: Chill for Best Results

Cover the dough and chill for at least 1.5 hours, up to 24. This step prevents spreading and gives a chewy center with golden edges. If you skip chilling, your cookies may flatten too much.

Step 3: Bake and Decorate

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place chilled dough balls on a parchment-lined sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake 11–13 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers still look soft. Immediately press candy eyes into the warm cookies so they stick. Let them cool before serving or storing.

Tips for Perfect Halloween Cookies

Dough Handling & Chilling Tips

Always measure flour with the spoon-and-level method to avoid heavy, dry dough. Use an ice cream scoop for even cookies, and don’t rush the chilling step. The longer chill helps flavor deepen and texture improve.

Decorating Tips

Add candy eyes while the cookies are still warm so they set properly. To make spider cookies, drop a small chocolate chip on top, then use melted chocolate to draw legs outward. A mix of orange and black sprinkles makes them instantly festive.

Halloween Cookie Variations to Try

Fun Mix-Ins and Themed Ideas

Swap chocolate chips with chunks of Oreos for a cookies-and-cream twist. Stir in candy corn, peanut butter chips, or Reese’s Pieces for Halloween flair. For a nutty bite, add pecans or walnuts. Kids love when each cookie looks a little different.

Creative Spider Cookie Hack

Right after baking, place a few chocolate chips on top. Once slightly melted, drag the chocolate with a toothpick into “legs.” Suddenly, your cookies have creepy little spiders crawling on them.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

Room Temp, Fridge, or Freezer?

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls and bake later.

Baking from Frozen

Bake frozen dough balls directly from the freezer. Just add 2–3 extra minutes of bake time. They’ll come out just as chewy and delicious, making last-minute Halloween baking stress-free.

Related Recipes to Try

• Spooky ghost brown butter pumpkin cookies
• Caramel vodka apple cider for Halloween parties
• Mummy brownies fun Halloween treats
• Frankenstein Halloween rice krispie treats
• White chocolate Halloween Oreo bark
• Halloween vampire bite cupcakes

Final Thoughts

Halloween chocolate chip cookies bring joy with their chewy centers, melty chocolate, and playful decorations. They’re simple enough for a quick bake yet special enough to impress at any party. Make a batch this October, and you’ll have a spooky-sweet hit that disappears fast. Don’t forget to save your favorites to Pinterest for easy access at Cozy Recipes by Clara.

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