Chewy Brown Sugar Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

These Chewy Brown Sugar Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are the ultimate Halloween treat—fun, spooky, and incredibly delicious. Soft and crinkly peanut butter cookies made with brown sugar and maple syrup form the base, while mini peanut butter cups and Milk Duds bring each spider to life. Finished with chocolate legs and candy eyes, they’re spooky enough for a party and tasty enough for everyday indulgence.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies are a perfect blend of holiday fun and homemade goodness. The chewy center, subtle maple sweetness, and peanut butter richness are elevated by the whimsical spider decorations. They’re surprisingly simple to make, with no chilling required, and come together in just 40 minutes. Great for kids, parties, or anyone who loves a festive twist on a classic cookie.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, at room temperature

• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1 egg

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 15 mini Reese’s peanut butter cups

• 15 chocolate Milk Duds

• 1 cup milk chocolate chips, melted

• Mini candy eyes

• Broken chocolate-covered pretzel twists (optional for legs)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and peanut butter until fluffy (about 2 minutes).

3. Add maple syrup, then mix in the egg and vanilla until creamy.

4. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined.

5. Scoop dough into 1-tablespoon-sized balls. Place on baking sheet, 2 inches apart.

6. Bake for 6–7 minutes, then remove and tap the baking sheet on the counter twice to flatten. Return to oven for 3 more minutes.

7. Remove from oven and immediately press one upside-down mini Reese’s and one Milk Dud into each cookie. Let cool.

8. Pipe melted chocolate to create spider legs (3 or 4 on each side). Attach candy eyes with a dab of melted chocolate on top of each Milk Dud.

9. Let the chocolate set before serving. Optionally, use chocolate-dipped pretzel pieces instead of piped legs.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 15 cookies

• Prep Time: 30 minutes

• Cook Time: 10 minutes

• Total Time: 40 minutes

Variations

• Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter or cookie butter instead of peanut butter.

• Leg options: Use pretzel sticks, chocolate licorice, or piped white chocolate for a twist.

• Less sweet: Skip the Milk Dud and just use a mini peanut butter cup as the body.

• Add crunch: Mix in crushed peanuts or mini chocolate chips to the dough.

storage/reheating

• Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

• Freezing: Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw and decorate before serving.

• Reheating: Warm cookies slightly in the microwave for a soft texture (avoid melting the decorations).

FAQs

Can I make these without peanut butter?

You can try substituting with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or cookie butter, but texture and flavor will vary slightly.

Can I use store-bought cookie dough?

Yes, though the flavor and texture won’t match the chewy, soft richness of this homemade version.

What size Reese’s should I use?

Use miniatures (the individually wrapped ones), not the unwrapped minis, for best proportion with Milk Duds.

How do I keep the spiders from melting too much?

Let the cookies cool for 2–3 minutes before pressing in the candy if the ambient temperature is warm.

What can I use for spider legs if I don’t want to pipe chocolate?

Try chocolate-dipped pretzel sticks or thin licorice strands.

How do I attach the eyes securely?

Use a small dab of melted chocolate to stick candy eyes onto the Milk Duds.

Can I skip the candy decorations?

Yes. These are great as plain chewy peanut butter cookies too!

Are these cookies freezer-friendly?

Yes. Freeze the unassembled cookies and decorate after thawing for best appearance.

Why do you tap the pan during baking?

It flattens the cookies, making them chewy instead of cakey.

Can kids help make these?

Absolutely! Kids can press the candies and attach the eyes—just be cautious with the melted chocolate.

Conclusion

Chewy Brown Sugar Peanut Butter Spider Cookies are a festive way to celebrate Halloween with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Whether you make them with kids, for a party, or just because you love creative cookies, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles—and maybe a few spooky giggles.