Print

Crowd-Pleasing Black Cat Spider Sugar Cookies for Halloween Parties

black cat spider sugar cookies - featured image
Print Recipe

These adorable black cat spider sugar cookies are surprisingly easy to make with a reliable sugar cookie base and clever decorating shortcuts. Perfect for Halloween parties, they feature a glossy chocolate glaze, pretzel stick spider legs, and candy eyes that will impress guests without requiring a pastry degree.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (pure vanilla recommended)
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (natural, not Dutch-processed)
  • 3–4 tablespoons milk (whole milk preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Black gel food coloring (optional, e.g., Americolor Super Black)
  • Pretzel sticks (thin ones, broken into halves or thirds)
  • Candy eyes (white and black)
  • Black licorice strings (cut into ½-inch pieces)
  • Orange and green M&M’s (for spider bodies and cat eyes)

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract; beat until combined. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  2. Chill the Dough: Divide dough into two discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Roll and Cut: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll one disc of dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut out cat shapes and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Gather scraps, re-roll, and cut more cookies. You should get about 24-30 cookies.
  4. Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are just barely golden. Centers should still look slightly pale and soft. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  5. Make the Chocolate Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together sifted powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add 3 tablespoons milk and vanilla extract; whisk until smooth. Glaze should be thick but pourable. If too thick, add more milk one teaspoon at a time. If too thin, add more powdered sugar. Stir in black gel food coloring until desired darkness.
  6. Decorate the Cat Faces: Transfer glaze to a piping bag or zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off. Outline each cookie with glaze, then fill in the center. Use a toothpick to spread glaze evenly. While glaze is still wet, press on candy eyes. Add tiny orange M&M’s for eyes if desired. Let glaze set for about 10 minutes.
  7. Add Spider Details: Once glaze is tacky but not fully dry, attach pretzel stick legs. Break pretzel sticks into 1-inch pieces and press four pieces into each side of the cookie, angling outward. Place an orange or green M&M in the center for the spider body. Add tiny licorice whiskers (three on each side). Let everything set completely, about 30 minutes.

Notes

Chill dough between batches to prevent spreading. Work with one disc of dough at a time, keeping the other refrigerated. Use a toothpick to drag glaze into nooks and crannies around ears. Add candy decorations while glaze is wet enough to stick but not so wet that they slide. For best results, bake cookies two days ahead and decorate the morning of your party. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days with wax paper between layers. Do not refrigerate.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween cookies, black cat cookies, spider cookies, sugar cookies, Halloween dessert, easy Halloween cookies, decorated cookies, party cookies

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/crowd-pleasing-black-cat-spider-sugar-cookies-for-halloween-parties/