Marry This Pioneer Woman Spider Cookies Recipe is a chewy and cute recipe, which is made with creamy peanut butter and chocolate candies. It’s the perfect Halloween treat, ready in about 1 hour.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman Spider Cookies Recipe Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 20 miniature peanut butter cups, such as Reese’s Minis
- 20 chocolate covered peanuts or raisins
- Black or brown writing gel icing
How To Make Pioneer Woman Spider Cookies
- Prep the oven and cream the fats: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the peanut butter, shortening, softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well-combined, which should take about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Finish the wet ingredients: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the bowl and beat again until everything is just combined.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Make the cookie dough: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture. Beat until the dough is well mixed and comes together.
- Shape and bake the cookies: Scoop the dough into 20 even portions (about 2 packed tablespoons each) and roll them into balls. Arrange the balls on parchment paper-lined baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball with your palm and then press your thumb into the center of each cookie to create an indentation. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through.
- Add the spider bodies: As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, gently press one miniature peanut butter cup into the thumbprint of each warm cookie. This will be the spider’s body. Then, place one chocolate-covered peanut or raisin just above the peanut butter cup to create the spider’s head.
- Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to set slightly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Draw the spider legs: Once the cookies are completely cool, use the black or brown writing gel to carefully draw four legs on each side of the peanut butter cup “body.” Let the icing set before serving.
Recipe Tips
- How to prevent cookies from spreading too much? Using a combination of butter and shortening, as this recipe does, helps the cookies hold their shape. Chilling the dough balls for 15-20 minutes before baking can also prevent excess spreading.
- Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to soften slightly before scooping and baking.
- What if I don’t have shortening? You can use an equal amount of all butter (for a total of 3/4 cup), but the cookies will be flatter and crispier rather than soft and chewy. The texture will be different, but still delicious.
- How do I get the spider legs to look neat? For the best control, use a writing gel with a fine tip. If your hand is a bit shaky, you can practice drawing legs on a piece of parchment paper first. It also helps to ensure the cookies are completely cool so the icing doesn’t melt or slide.
What To Serve With Spider Cookies
These fun cookies are a treat all on their own, but they are perfect when served with:
- A tall glass of cold milk.
- A warm mug of hot chocolate.
- A cup of coffee for the adults.
How To Store Spider Cookies
Room Temperature: Store the finished cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Placing parchment paper between layers can help protect the spider decorations. Freeze: You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. It’s best not to freeze the decorated cookies, as the icing may become sticky upon thawing.
Spider Cookies Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~280 kcal per cookie
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Sugar: 18g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of nut butter?
Yes, you can substitute creamy almond butter or sun butter for the peanut butter. Just be aware that the flavor and texture of the cookie will change slightly.
My peanut butter cups are melting too much. What should I do?
This can happen if the cookies are very hot. Try letting the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a minute or two before pressing the peanut butter cups in. You can also freeze the unwrapped peanut butter cups for 15-20 minutes before using them.
What are some other ideas for the spider’s head?
If you don’t have chocolate-covered peanuts or raisins, you can use a regular brown Mu0026amp;M, a mini chocolate chip (placed point-down), or even a small ball of black frosting.
Try More Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Monster Cookies Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Angel Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Jam Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Pioneer Woman Spider Cookies Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy20
servings20
minutes10
minutes280
kcalA fun and festive peanut butter cookie topped with a chocolate peanut butter cup and chocolate candy to create a spooky-cute spider treat for Halloween.
Ingredients
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup vegetable shortening & 1/4 cup softened butter
1 cup total sugars (1/2 cup granulated, 1/2 cup brown)
1 large egg & 1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. salt
20 miniature peanut butter cups
20 chocolate-covered peanuts or raisins
Black or brown writing gel
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream together peanut butter, shortening, butter, and sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
- Roll dough into 20 balls, flatten slightly, and make a thumbprint in the center of each.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes on parchment-lined sheets.
- Immediately press a peanut butter cup (body) and a chocolate-covered peanut (head) onto each warm cookie.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Use writing gel to draw 8 legs on each spider. Let the icing set.
Notes
- Chilling the dough for 15 minutes before baking helps the cookies maintain their shape.
- Ensure cookies are completely cool before drawing on the legs, or the icing will melt.
- For the cleanest look, use a writing gel with a fine tip.
- Store cookies in a single layer in an airtight container to protect the decorations.
