Spooky Spider Chocolate Peanut (Printer-Friendly Version)

Chocolate cookies with peanut butter cups, pretzel legs, and candy eyes create spooky festive treats.

# Ingredients Needed:

→ Dairy and Fats

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

→ Sugars

02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 cup packed brown sugar

→ Wet Ingredients

04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

06 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
08 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Decorations

10 - 10 mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped
11 - Pretzel sticks, broken into halves
12 - 20 candy eyes
13 - 1/4 cup melted chocolate or icing (optional)

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Set oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.
02 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy to create a soft, chewy texture.
03 - Beat in eggs one at a time until fully incorporated, then stir in vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
05 - Slowly add dry mixture to wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid toughness.
06 - Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared sheet spaced 2 inches apart. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
07 - While cookies are warm, press one mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie to form the spider’s body.
08 - Insert eight pretzel halves, four on each side around the peanut butter cup, to resemble legs without cracking cookies.
09 - Use a dab of melted chocolate or icing to affix two candy eyes onto each peanut butter cup, positioning as desired.
10 - Allow cookies to cool completely for decorations to set firmly before serving.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Bake cookies one day in advance, decorating just before serving for best freshness.
02 - To accommodate nut allergies, substitute peanut butter cups with mini chocolate truffles or Rolos.
03 - Enhance flavor by adding cinnamon or espresso powder to dough.
04 - Use colored gel icing for creative eye effects.
05 - Make mini versions using smaller cookies and pretzel sticks.

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