Halloween Cake Mix Spider Cookies

Halloween baking is one of my favorite ways to get my kids excited for the spooky season, and these Halloween Cake Mix Spider Cookies are always a hit in our house! My boys love anything made with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and these adorable spider cookies are just as fun to decorate as they are to eat. They’re made with yellow cake mix, crunchy Heath toffee bits and chocolate peanut butter cups for a soft, chewy cookie that’s packed with flavor.

As a busy mom, I love finding easy Halloween recipes that the kids can help make. Once the cookies are baked, my boys jump in to help add the spider legs and candy eyes. Every spider ends up looking a little different, which is half the fun. Whether you’re making treats for a Halloween party, classroom celebration or just a fun afternoon at home, these easy Halloween Cake Mix Cookies are sure to be a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love These Halloween Cake Mix Cookies

There’s something about a themed Halloween dessert that makes the holiday even more fun. These spider cookies are especially great because they use a few convenient baking shortcuts without sacrificing flavor. The yellow cake mix creates a soft cookie, while the Heath toffee bits add a delicious buttery crunch.

Each cookie is topped with a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup that becomes the spider’s body. A little black icing and two candy eyes bring the whole design together. They’re easy enough for beginner bakers and make a cute addition to any Halloween dessert table.

Pro Tip: I use cake mix, but store-bought cookie dough is another option if you want to follow the package directions and just decorate the top!

Ingredients For Halloween Cake Mix Spider Cookies

You only need a handful of ingredients to make these adorable spider cookies. The best part is that the cake mix does most of the work for you!

• Yellow cake mix: Betty Crocker Butter Yellow Cake Mix provides the soft, chewy cookie base. Don’t follow the directions on the box.
• Vegetable oil: Adds moisture and helps create a tender cookie texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and give the cookies structure.
• Heath English toffee bits: Add buttery caramel flavor and a little crunch.
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: These become the round chocolate spider bodies.
• Chocolate candy melts: Used to attach the candy eyes. Melted chocolate chips or frosting work, too.
• Candy eyes: Give each spider its cute, playful personality.
• Black cookie icing: Creates the spider legs on either side of the peanut butter cups.

Can You Make Halloween Cake Mix Cookies Ahead Of Time?

Absolutely! These Halloween Cake Mix Spider Cookies are a great make-ahead dessert for parties and school celebrations. You can bake the cookies a day or two before your event and decorate them once they’ve completely cooled.

For the best look, store the decorated cookies in a single layer until the icing fully sets. This keeps the spider legs and candy eyes from getting smudged.

Tips For Making The Cutest Spider Cookies

• Don’t overbake the cookies. The cookies should be soft and slightly golden around the edges. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
• Add the peanut butter cups while the cookies are warm. This helps them stick to the cookie without additional icing.
• Let the cookies cool before decorating. If they’re too warm, the black icing may spread or melt.
• Use a piping tip or icing with a narrow opening. Thin, curved spider legs create the cutest finished look.
• Chill to set the decorations faster. Pop the cookies into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes if you’re short on time.

How To Store Leftover Spider Cookies

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Place parchment paper between layers if you need to stack them, and make sure the icing has completely hardened first.

You can also freeze the undecorated cake mix cookies for up to two months. Let them thaw at room temperature before adding the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and spider decorations. To help the peanut butter cups adhere to cooled cookies, use a small dab of melted chocolate.

How to Make Halloween Cake Mix Spider Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, stir the cake mix, oil, and eggs until combined. 

Add the Heath toffee bits and fold together to combine. Scoop the dough using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop and place them two inches apart on the lined baking sheet.

Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean when inserted in the center of a cookie. Remove the cookies from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes on the tray.

To Decorate: While warm, gently press a Reese’s peanut butter cup top down into the center of each cookie. Do not press it all the way through, you want the peanut butter cup to stick out for the spider body. As the cookies warm, it will melt the peanut butter cups a bit so that it adheres to the cookie.

Once the cookies have cooled a bit, you can start decorating. Use the cookie icing to pipe the spider’s legs, 4 on each side. Repeat with the remaining cookies. Place candy melts or chocolate chips in a bowl and melt in the microwave in 10 second intervals. Stir at each interval so it heats evenly.

Dab the backs of two candy eyes with melted chocolate and then place them on the side of the Reese’s peanut butter cup. Repeat with the remaining cookies.

Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes to allow the chocolate and icing to fully set. If you want to speed up the setting process, just pop them in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. If you don’t want to wait, simply enjoy them slightly warm!