No Bake Halloween Spider Cookies always take me right back to October afternoons in my mom’s kitchen. When I was growing up, we’d stand at the stovetop stirring chocolate and peanut butter while leaves scraped across the windows outside. My mom always said Halloween treats should be a little spooky but a whole lot simple. I can still smell the cocoa bubbling and feel the warmth of the spoon in my hand. Back in our kitchen, we didn’t fuss, we mixed, scooped, and waited for that glossy chocolate to set. Let me tell you, these little spider cookies bring all that magic back.
No-Bake Halloween Spider Cookies – Spooky & Ready in 30 Minutes
Equipment
- medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon or heat-safe spatula
- Cookie scoop (2 tbsp size)
- Parchment Paper
- baking sheets
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅔ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick oats
- 36 pretzel sticks cut in halves for legs
- 36 candy eyes
Instructions
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper and have pretzel legs and candy eyes ready before starting.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder. Stir continuously.
- Bring mixture to a full rolling boil (bubbling across entire surface). Boil exactly 60 seconds for chewy texture.
- Remove from heat immediately. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
- Fold in quick oats until fully coated.
- Scoop 2-tablespoon mounds onto parchment.
- Immediately press 4 pretzel halves into each side to form 8 legs.
- Press two candy eyes onto top while cookies are still soft.
- Allow to set at room temperature 20–30 minutes until firm and matte.
Notes
High humidity may extend setting time by 10–15 minutes. If very humid, boil mixture 5–10 extra seconds (no more than 70 seconds total). Troubleshooting:
- Too soft? Boil time likely under 60 seconds.
- Dry and crumbly? Boiled too long.
- Legs falling out? Insert immediately after scooping.
Nutrition
CONCLUSION
Between you and me, these No Bake Halloween Spider Cookies remind me so much of those chilly October evenings when the hardest part was waiting for them to set on the counter. My mom always said the fun was in decorating, and I still smile every time I press those little candy eyes into the chocolate. Trust me on this, once you make these once, they’ll become your go-to Halloween treat. They’re chewy, chocolatey, and just spooky enough to make everyone grin. And the best part? No oven, no fuss, just sweet memories setting right on your countertop.