Spooky Spider Cookies

Looking for a last minute Halloween treat? Try these super simple (super cute) cookies that I made last year! They take almost no effort at all and they are a huge hit with kids! Best of all, you probably have nearly all of the ingredients on hand!

[Post originally from 10/27/09] 

 

My little sister needed some Halloween themed goodies to bring to her high school dance this evening and these were quick and super easy.

They are a bit rich for my taste buds, but perfect for a bunch of kids trying to satisfy their holiday sweet-tooth at a school function! Plus, look how adorable they are!

 

Spooky Spider Cookies 

recipe from here 

ingredients: 

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 tsp baking powder 
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• 1/8 tsp baking soda 
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 
• 10 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature 
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar 
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar 
• 1 egg, at room temperature 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1 bag thin pretzel sticks 
• 11.5 ounce bag of dark chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet) 
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil 
• 6+ ounces chocolate sprinkles 
• small red candies (I used cinnamon hard candies) 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. In a medium-sized bowl combine the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cocoa powder. Set aside. 
3. In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugars. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. 
4. Gradually add in the flour mixture and beat until just combined. The dough should look slightly dry. 
5. Form tablespoon sized balls with the dough and place on a cookie sheet. The dough will not really spread while baking so there is no need to place them too far from one another. 
6. Break the pretzel sticks in half and and stick 8 halves into each ball (4 on each side). 
7. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet and cool on a wire rack. 
8. Combine the chocolate chips and oil together in a bowl and melt in the microwave in 30 second intervals. 
9. With a pastry or basting brush, paint the cookies completely, including the pretzels. Cover with sprinkles and push two red candies into each cookie for eyes.