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Spooky Spider Web Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

spider web chocolate peanut butter cookies - featured image
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Rich, fudgy chocolate peanut butter cookies topped with an easy toothpick-drawn spider web design. No piping skills required—just a toothpick and melted white chocolate for a spooky Halloween treat that tastes as good as it looks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (165g) packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (256g) creamy peanut butter (e.g., Skippy or Jif)
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • ½ cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (85g) white chocolate chips or melting wafers
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening (optional, for thinning white chocolate)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  2. In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Add vanilla and peanut butter; beat until smooth and glossy.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture in three additions, mixing on low just until combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Cover dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 3 days).
  7. Scoop rounded tablespoons (about 1.5 tablespoons each) of dough and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cookies will look puffed and slightly cracked; centers should appear soft. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Once cookies are completely cool, melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Add coconut oil or shortening if needed.
  10. Dip a toothpick into melted white chocolate and draw a small circle in the center of a cookie. Draw 2-3 larger concentric circles around it.
  11. Immediately drag a clean toothpick from the center outward through all circles, creating 6-8 radiating lines. Wipe toothpick clean between each line.
  12. Repeat for each cookie. Let webs set at room temperature for about 20 minutes (or 10 minutes in the refrigerator) until firm.

Notes

Do not overbake—cookies should look underdone when removed from oven. Use shelf-stable creamy peanut butter (not natural) for best texture. Chill dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading. Work with one cookie at a time when decorating; white chocolate sets quickly. Cookies taste even better the day after baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: spider web cookies, Halloween cookies, chocolate peanut butter cookies, easy decorated cookies, no-pipe spider web, toothpick spider web, fudgy chocolate cookies, peanut butter chocolate cookies

Find it online: https://avabowls.com/spooky-spider-web-chocolate-peanut-butter-cookies/