Spin Some Fun with These Homemade Spider Cookies

Homemade Spider Cookies: A Web of Delicious Mischief

Ready to bake up some frightfully fun treats? These Spider Cookies are crawling with charm and just the right amount of spooky sweetness. With soft sugar cookie bases, creamy frosting, and licorice legs that wiggle with whimsy, they’re the kind of Halloween snack that spins smiles faster than a spider spins silk. Whether you’re hosting a haunted bash or just sneaking a bite between costume changes, this recipe is a fang-tastic way to celebrate the season.

Creep It Real: Homemade Spider Cookies for Halloween Parties

Why These Spider Cookies Are a Halloween Hit

• Nostalgic Flavor with a Twist This recipe has been passed down like a secret spell—soft, sour cream-based cookies with a hint of almond extract for that old-school bakery vibe.
• Kid-Approved and Party-Ready These cookies are a hit at Halloween parties, school bake sales, and weekend baking sessions with little monsters.
• Customizable for Any Creepy Theme Switch up the frosting colors, candy eyes, or cookie shapes to match your haunted aesthetic.
• Soft, Fluffy Texture That Lasts Sour cream keeps these cookies moist and tender, even days after baking.

Ingredients for Homemade Spider Cookies

Vintage Spider Cookies Recipe | Handwritten Halloween Classic

For the Sugar Cookies

• 1 cup margarine
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 4 ½ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 8 ounces sour cream

For the Frosting

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• A little milk (adjust for consistency)

For Decorating

• Black or brown frosting (spider body)
• Licorice ropes (legs)
• M&Ms, chocolate chips, or gumdrops (eyes)

Overhead view of homemade Halloween spider cookies decorated with black frosting, licorice legs, and colorful candy eyes on a dark background with the text “Creepy-Crawly Spider Cookies.”

Step-by-Step Instructions for Spider Cookie Success

1. Cream the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs, vanilla, and almond extract; mix thoroughly.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.
5. Blend in sour cream until the dough is smooth.
6. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours.
7. Roll out on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness.
8. Cut out round cookies and bake at 350°F for 13 minutes.
9. Cool completely before decorating.
10. Frost with black or brown icing, add licorice legs and candy eyes.

Expert Tips for Spooktacular Results

• Chill the dough to make cutting easier and prevent spreading.
• Use gel food coloring for vibrant frosting that holds its shape.
• Prep decorations while cookies bake to streamline assembly.
• For richer flavor and firmer texture, swap half the margarine for butter.

Creative Variations to Spin Your Own Style

• Spiderweb Cookies: Use white frosting on chocolate cookies and pipe black webs for a dramatic effect.
• Mini Spider Bites: Make bite-sized versions for party trays or trick-or-treat giveaways.
• Pumpkin Patch Pairings: Serve alongside pumpkin bars or muffins for a full Halloween dessert spread.

Serving Suggestions for a Boo-tiful Dessert Table

Pair these Spider Cookies with themed treats like Monster Cookie Pops or Ooey-Gooey Brownie S’mores for a cohesive Halloween dessert table. Add a cauldron of zombie punch or warm apple cider to complete the spooky setup. You can even try our Peanut Butter Spider Cookies recipe for a twist.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spider Cookies

Can I use butter instead of margarine? Yes! Butter adds a richer flavor and a slightly firmer texture.

How long do Spider Cookies stay fresh? Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freeze undecorated cookies for up to 2 months.

Can I make the dough ahead of time? Absolutely. Chill the dough overnight for easy prep the next day.

Final Thoughts: Sweet, Spooky, and Totally Snackable

These Spider Cookies prove that Halloween treats don’t have to be scary to be sensational. With a soft sugar cookie base, playful decorations, and endless customization options, they’re the perfect mix of creepy and cute. Whether you’re baking with kids or crafting a Pinterest-worthy dessert table, this recipe is your ticket to spinning some serious seasonal fun.

Continue to Content

Yield: 24 spiders cookies

Spin Some Fun with These Homemade Spider Cookies

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 13 minutes

Additional Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 33 minutes

These soft and spooky Spider Cookies are perfect for Halloween parties, bake sales, or a fun weekend bake with the kids. Made with sour cream sugar cookies, creamy frosting, and candy decorations, they’re creepy-cute and totally customizable.

Print

Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookies

• 1 cup margarine
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 8 ounces sour cream

For the Frosting

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Milk (as needed for consistency)

For Decorating

• Black or brown frosting (for spider bodies)
• Licorice ropes (for legs)
• Candy eyes, M&Ms, chocolate chips, or gumdrops (for eyes)

Instructions

1. Cream margarine and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. This step builds the soft texture that makes these spider cookies irresistible.

1. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the creamed mixture. Mix until fully combined for a flavorful Halloween sugar cookie base.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. These dry ingredients give structure to your spooky treats.
3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
4. Blend in sour cream to create a smooth, slightly sticky cookie dough. Sour cream keeps these Halloween cookies moist and tender.
5. Cover and chill the dough for at least 2 hours. Chilling helps prevent spreading and makes it easier to cut perfect spider shapes.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter to shape your spider cookie bases.
8. Bake cookies for 13 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely before decorating.
9. Frost each cookie with black or brown icing to form the spider’s body. Use a piping bag or offset spatula for smooth coverage.
10. Cut licorice ropes into short segments and press four on each side of the frosting to create spider legs.
11. Add candy eyes

Notes

For best results, chill the cookie dough for at least 2 hours before rolling and cutting. This helps prevent spreading and keeps your spider cookies perfectly shaped.

Use gel food coloring for bold, saturated frosting colors that won’t thin out your icing. Black gel works best for spider bodies.

Prep your decorations while the cookies bake—cut licorice legs, sort candy eyes, and fill piping bags so you’re ready to decorate once they cool.

Want a sturdier cookie for stacking or packaging? Swap half the margarine for butter to boost flavor and structure.

These cookies are ideal for Halloween dessert tables, classroom parties, and spooky-themed bake sales. Pair them with Ghost Cupcakes or Zombie Punch for a full haunted spread.

Store decorated cookies in a single layer to avoid smudging the frosting and legs. Undecorated cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Looking for more decorating inspiration? Try more Halloween Recipes.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 361Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 200mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 1gSugar: 35gProtein: 4g

The Nutritional Information may not be accurate. This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram