Step into the Halloween spirit with these Red Velvet Spider Cookies a hauntingly beautiful twist on a classic favorite. Soft, chewy, and rich with velvety chocolate flavor, each cookie is crowned with playful chocolate chip spiders and delicate icing webs.
They’re not just cookies, they’re little edible works of art the kind that bring smiles, a touch of fright, and a whole lot of sweetness to your Halloween table. Perfect for parties, kids, or anyone who loves a good mix of spooky and cozy.
1. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, use a stand mixer to cream cubed butter and sugar for 90 seconds (30 sec low, 30 sec medium, 30 sec high) until light and fluffy.
2. Add Wet Ingredients:
Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly. Add vanilla, cocoa powder, and red food coloring. Mix on low until fully combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
Whisk together cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Form Dough:
Gradually add dry mixture to wet ingredients on low speed until a soft dough forms. Mix in chocolate chips, reserving 20 for spider decorations.
5. Chill Dough:
Refrigerate the dough (uncovered) for 20 minutes.
6. Scoop and Prepare for Baking:
Preheat oven to 410°F (210°C). Line baking sheets. Scoop 3-ounce dough portions (about 6 oz total per cookie). Roll into tall balls.
7. Bake:
Press 4 chocolate chips on top of each dough ball for spider bodies. Bake 9–11 minutes. Cookies should look gooey in the center.
8. Cool:
Cool cookies on the sheet for 30 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
9. Decorate Spiders:
Pipe black icing for spider legs around the chocolate chips. Add a red hourglass shape on the center of each spider for a black widow effect.
10. Decorate Webs:
Use white icing to draw spider webs on the cookie edges. Let icing set before serving.
Problem: Cookies spread too much.
Cause: Butter too warm or dough under-chilled.
Fix: Chill dough for full 20 minutes; ensure butter is not greasy.
Problem: Color not vibrant.
Cause: Low-quality or insufficient food coloring.
Fix: Use concentrated gel food coloring for deep red results.
Problem: Icing too soft or runny.
Cause: Applied too thickly or humidity.
Fix: Pipe thinner lines and let icing harden in a cool, dry place.
These Red Velvet Halloween Spider Cookies are the perfect spooky treat chewy red velvet cookies decorated with spider webs and chocolate chip spiders! The rich chocolate flavor and vibrant red hue make them both delicious and eye-catching for your Halloween dessert spread.
