Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
If you’re looking to capture the spirit of spooky season in a single bite, these Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies are exactly what you need! Packed with gooey chocolate chips, crunchy Halloween-themed candy, and playful sprinkles, these cookies transform your classic favorite into a festive, colorful treat. Whether you’re whipping them up for a party, a trick-or-treat platter, or just to snack on while watching your favorite scary movie, these cookies bring a burst of autumn fun and chocolatey comfort to any celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All you need are some pantry staples and a handful of festive add-ins to make these Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies come alive. Each ingredient has a tasty purpose—whether it’s for richness, structure, or a pop of holiday color—so read on for what you’ll need and why!
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Essential for creating chewy, tender cookies with a buttery base—make sure it’s softened for easy creaming.
- Brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Provides a rich, caramel flavor and helps keep the cookies soft and moist.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Balances sweetness and gives the edges just the right crispiness.
- Large eggs (2): These bind the dough and add structure; room-temperature eggs help your dough mix more evenly.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): A splash for warmth and that classic homemade cookie aroma.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): The foundation that holds everything together with the perfect cookie crumb.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Gives your cookies lift and ensures they bake up soft and puffy.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Just enough to balance and emphasize all the sweet flavors.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 1/2 cups): The star of any chocolate chip cookie—gooey puddles of chocolate in every bite!
- Halloween-themed candy-coated chocolates (1/2 cup, e.g., orange and purple M&M’s): Infuses each cookie with festive color and crunchy texture.
- Halloween sprinkles (1/4 cup): Adds pops of spooky color and extra crunch that make these cookies party-ready.
How to Make Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Get Baking Sheets Ready
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper so your cookies slide off easily later—plus, this makes cleanup a breeze!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and dreamy. This creates the soft foundation every great Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookie needs.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in your eggs and pour in the vanilla extract, beating until everything is fully combined and smooth. The dough should look luxuriously creamy at this stage.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, quickly whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This helps distribute the leavening and saltiness evenly, so every bite is just right.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until everything is incorporated. Don’t over-mix—just stop when you can’t see any more flour streaks for a tender cookie texture.
Step 6: Stir In the Goodies
Pour in those luscious chocolate chips, Halloween candy-coated chocolates, and festive sprinkles. Fold everything in gently to ensure every cookie is packed with festive flavor and color.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto your lined baking sheets, leaving a couple inches between each for spreading. Slide the trays into the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes—just until the edges are golden and the centers are barely set.
Step 8: Cool and Decorate
Once baked, let your cookies rest on the tray for about 5 minutes (they’ll firm up a bit). For an extra Halloween touch, press a few more candies and sprinkles onto the tops while they’re still warm, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
Right after baking, make your Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies even cuter by pressing extra candy pieces and Halloween sprinkles onto the tops. Or, add a light dusting of edible glitter to make them sparkle. A drizzle of melted white or dark chocolate in a spiderweb pattern is always a showstopper.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies with tall glasses of cold milk, a mug of hot cocoa, or festive pumpkin spice lattes. For Halloween parties, pairing them with apple cider or a platter of autumn fruit (like sliced apples and pears) adds a fresh note next to the sweet cookies.
Creative Ways to Present
Pile Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies in a haunted house-shaped cookie jar, wrap them individually in cellophane with ribbon for party favors, or arrange them on a platter surrounded by candy corn and mini pumpkins. Stack them up with a scoop of orange-tinted ice cream for a Halloween cookie sandwich kids will love!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies soft and fresh by placing them in an airtight container at room temperature. Tuck in a piece of bread or a slice of apple—the cookies will absorb the moisture, staying perfectly chewy for up to five days.
Freezing
You can freeze both the baked cookies and the unbaked dough. Baked cookies should be layered with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container and will keep for up to three months. For truly fresh cookies anytime, scoop out your dough balls, freeze them solid, then transfer to a zipper bag—bake straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
If your cookies have lost a bit of that just-baked magic, gently warm them in a 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes or microwave one for about 10 seconds. This will reactivate the gooey chocolate and bring back that fresh-baked feel.
FAQs
Can I use different colored candies for other holidays?
Absolutely! Simply swap the Halloween-themed candies and sprinkles for red and green at Christmas, pastels for Easter, or any colors you love. The base recipe for these Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies works for any celebration.
Do I have to chill the dough before baking?
Nope! These cookies are designed to be quick and easy. However, chilling the dough for 30 minutes will help develop a richer flavor and result in thicker, chewier cookies, if you have the extra time.
Can I make these Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies gluten-free?
Yes, swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking mix. Just ensure your candies and sprinkles are also gluten-free to keep these festive treats safe for everyone.
How do I keep the sprinkles from melting or bleeding?
Choose high-quality, jimmies-style sprinkles or candy sequins designed for baking. These hold their color better during baking and make your Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies look especially bright and perky.
Can I double the recipe for a party?
Yes! This recipe doubles beautifully. Make sure to use a stand mixer (if you have one) for easy mixing, and bake in batches so each cookie has enough space to spread and bake evenly.
Final Thoughts
There’s no better way to celebrate the spooky season than baking a batch of Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies. Whether you’re sharing them at a party or enjoying them with loved ones at home, their festive flair and irresistible flavor make every bite a little more special. Give them a try—you’ll have a new Halloween tradition before you know it!
Print
Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the spooky spirit of Halloween with these delicious chocolate chip cookies loaded with colorful candies and sprinkles. Perfect for festive gatherings or as a sweet treat for trick-or-treaters.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-Ins:
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup Halloween-themed candy-coated chocolates (like orange and purple M&M’s)
- 1/4 cup Halloween sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, beating until combined.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Add mix-ins: Fold in the chocolate chips, candy-coated chocolates, and sprinkles.
- Bake: Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes until golden.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on the sheets before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For extra festive flair, press candies and sprinkles on top of each cookie after baking.
- Dough can be made ahead and chilled or frozen for later use.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
