If you’re looking for a show-stopper Halloween treat, look no further because this Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe is an absolute game-changer. I absolutely love how these cookies come out with their rich dark chocolate base, contrasted by white chocolate chips and festive Halloween M&Ms that make them super fun and tasty. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll find that they’re the perfect cookie to get the spooky season started right!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich double chocolate flavor: The blend of black cocoa powder and white chocolate chips creates an irresistible flavor combo.
- Festive and fun: Halloween M&Ms and candy eyeballs turn these cookies into a spooky treat your friends and family will adore.
- Perfect texture: Soft and slightly chewy with a tender crumb thanks to cornstarch and careful baking.
- Simple to make: Even if you’re new to baking, these cookies come together easily with straightforward ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients here might seem familiar, but every single one plays a role in making these cookies turn out just right—super soft, chocolatey, and loaded with that Halloween spirit. I especially recommend using black cocoa powder for an extra rich, dark color and flavor that really makes these stand out.
- Unsalted butter: Using butter at cool room temperature helps it cream perfectly with the sugars for that fluffy texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with crisp edges.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a slight caramel flavor that keeps cookies soft.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the chocolate flavors beautifully.
- Egg: Room temperature eggs blend more easily and help bind ingredients together.
- All-purpose flour: The structure base of your cookies.
- Black cocoa powder: This is crucial for that deep, almost black color and intense chocolate flavor—if you can’t find it, Dutch-process cocoa works too.
- Cornstarch: A little trick I discovered that makes cookies extra tender and soft.
- Fine sea salt: Balances sweetness and tempers bitterness from the cocoa.
- Baking soda: Helps with gentle rise and spread.
- Baking powder: A bit of lift to keep cookies tender.
- White chocolate chips: Their sweetness contrasts the dark cocoa and adds texture.
- Halloween M&Ms: For festive color and crunch—you can swap in any colorful candy you like.
- Edible candy eyeballs: Fun garnish that transforms cookies into creepy-cute creations.
Variations
I love tweaking recipes to suit different occasions or dietary needs, and this Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe is no exception. Feel free to make it your own by swapping out ingredients or adding a personal touch—it’s surprisingly forgiving!
- Gluten-Free: I’ve had great success swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend—just make sure your blend includes xanthan gum or add a bit yourself.
- Spicy Twist: For a fun surprise, add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of cayenne; I once did this for a Halloween party, and my guests loved the subtle warmth.
- Nutty Variation: Adding chopped toasted pecans or walnuts is a personal favorite in my family, bringing a nice crunch and richness.
- Vegan Version: I haven’t tested this fully myself, but substituting the butter with vegan alternatives and using flax eggs could work well here.
How to Make Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Start by setting your oven to 350°F and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. I like to cream the unsalted butter with both sugars on medium speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture turns light and fluffy—this step really impacts the texture! Don’t forget to scrape down the bowl to make sure everything blends evenly before adding vanilla and egg.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine
Whisk together your flour, black cocoa powder, cornstarch, salt, baking soda, and baking powder separately. Gradually pour the dry mix into the wet ingredients on low speed to avoid dust clouds! You want a slightly sticky dough, not dry or crumbly. If your cocoa powder is sifting in little lumps, take your time to sift it well—it’s worth it for that smooth dough.
Step 3: Add White Chocolate Chips and Halloween M&Ms
Once your dough is just combined, fold in the white chocolate chips and M&Ms gently with a rubber spatula. This prevents breaking the candies and keeps the dough texture perfect. I like to save a few extra chips and M&Ms to dot on top before baking for an extra colorful look!
Step 4: Scoop and Decorate the Cookies
I use a large spring-loaded cookie scoop to portion out 3-tablespoon sized balls of dough—this gives you thick, plump cookies that don’t spread too thin. Space them at least 2 inches apart on your baking sheets. Now for the fun part: press extra white chocolate chips, M&Ms, and edible candy eyeballs on top for that festive Halloween flair.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake for about 12 minutes until the cookies look puffy but still soft in the center. Don’t overbake here—cookies are best when they’re just set but still soft. I learned this the hard way after baking a batch too long and getting hard cookies. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips for Making Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe
- Use Cool Room Temperature Butter: I discovered that butter that’s too soft or melted will flatten the cookies, so aim for a firm but pliable texture.
- Don’t Skip Sifting Cocoa Powder: It’s a small step but helps avoid lumps and ensures your dough is smooth and even.
- Cookie Size Matters: Using a 3-tablespoon scoop keeps the cookies thick and chewy, which I prefer over thin and crispy ones.
- Watch Baking Time Closely: Take the cookies out when edges look set but centers are still a little soft—carryover heat finishes the job perfectly.
How to Serve Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love garnishing these cookies with extra candy eyeballs and a handful of M&Ms right out of the oven. It gives them that whimsical, spooky look that makes kids and adults alike do a double-take. If you want to get fancy, you could drizzle a bit of melted white chocolate over the top for an extra pop.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or even a spiced hot chocolate for a cozy Halloween night. For parties, I like to serve them alongside easy favorites like popcorn and pumpkin spice latte for a delicious seasonal spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For Halloween gatherings, I’ve arranged these Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies on a black platter surrounded by mini pumpkins and spider web cake toppers. You can even stack them in a jar tied with orange and black ribbon for adorable edible gifts. It’s amazing how a simple presentation tweak can amp up the festive vibes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store my leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chocolaty for up to 4 days, and you can add a slice of bread inside the container to keep them moist, which is a trick I learned from my grandma years ago.
Freezing
Freezing these cookies works surprisingly well. I thaw them overnight at room temperature or defrost from frozen for about 20 minutes. To freeze, I lay them flat on parchment-lined trays, freeze until firm, then store in freezer bags. They keep well for up to 3 months without losing their flavor or texture.
Reheating
When I want to warm up these cookies, I pop one or two in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. It softens the white chocolate chips just right and brings back that freshly baked feel. If you’re more patient, a quick 3-minute heat in a preheated 300°F oven works beautifully without drying them out.
FAQs
-
Can I substitute black cocoa powder with regular cocoa powder in this recipe?
Yes, you can! Black cocoa powder gives the cookies their signature dark color and a slightly different flavor profile, but Dutch-process or regular unsweetened cocoa powder works well too. Keep in mind your cookies might look lighter in color but will still taste delicious.
-
How do I prevent my Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is at the right temperature—not too soft—and don’t overcream the butter and sugars. Using chill time (about 20 minutes) for the dough can also help prevent excessive spreading, especially if you live in a warm or humid climate.
-
Can I make this recipe into cookie bars instead of individual cookies?
Absolutely! The recipe even includes instructions for baking as cookie bars. Just press the dough into a lined 8×8-inch pan, decorate with candies, and bake about 25-30 minutes until edges are set but the center still jiggles a bit. Let it cool completely before slicing.
-
Are these cookies suitable for kids to help make?
Definitely! This recipe is very kid-friendly, especially the decorating part with candy eyeballs and M&Ms. Always supervise when using the mixer and oven, but kids will love shaping the dough and adding spooky decorations.
-
What’s the best way to add extra spooky touches for Halloween parties?
Adding edible candy eyeballs, drizzling colored icing, or sprinkling Halloween-themed sprinkles all work great. I’ve also tried shaping dough into mini spider webs or using cookie cutters before baking for fun shapes—just adjust baking time accordingly.
Final Thoughts
This Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe is one of those magical recipes that never fails to impress, whether I’m making it for my family or a spooky gathering. The deep chocolate flavor paired with the fun, colorful candy toppings always gets rave reviews. I can’t recommend it enough if you want a festive, delicious treat that feels homemade and special. So grab your mixing bowl, crank up the oven, and enjoy the process — trust me, these cookies will become your Halloween obsession just like they are mine!
PrintDouble Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 11 to 13 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully festive Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies featuring rich black cocoa, creamy white chocolate chips, and colorful Halloween M&Ms, topped with whimsical edible candy eyeballs. Perfectly soft and chewy with a vibrant seasonal twist, these cookies make a fun treat for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg, at room temperature
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup (127 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (43 grams) black cocoa powder (or Dutch-process), sifted
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Add-Ins and Garnishes
- 1/2 cup (85 grams) white chocolate chips, plus more for garnish
- 1 cup (218 grams) Halloween M&Ms, plus more for garnish
- Edible candy eyeballs, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Add Vanilla and Egg: Add vanilla extract and the room temperature egg to the creamed butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until fully combined and smooth.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sifted black cocoa powder, cornstarch, fine sea salt, baking soda, and baking powder to ensure uniform distribution.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer. Beat on low speed until a slightly sticky cookie dough forms, being careful not to overmix.
- Fold in Add-ins: Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the white chocolate chips and Halloween M&Ms evenly throughout the dough.
- Portion Dough: Using a large spring-loaded cookie scoop, drop 3-tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing at least 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Add Garnish: Dot the top of each cookie ball with extra white chocolate chips, additional M&Ms, and edible candy eyeballs for festive decoration.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes, until cookies are puffy but still soft in the center. Avoid overbaking to maintain a chewy texture.
- Cool Cookies: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set properly and develop the perfect chewy bite.
Notes
- To Bake as Cookie Bars: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch light-colored metal baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, securing edges with binder clips. Prepare the cookie dough as instructed, spread evenly in the pan, and decorate with M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and candy eyeballs. Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are set but center still jiggles slightly. Let cool completely before slicing into 16 bars.
- Use cool room temperature butter and egg to ensure proper creaming and dough consistency.
- Black cocoa powder provides an intense chocolate flavor and deep color; Dutch-process cocoa is suitable as a substitute.
- Spacing cookies adequately prevents them from merging into each other during baking.
- Allow cookies to cool on the pan briefly before transferring to a rack to avoid breakage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 35 grams)
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 16 grams
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 9 grams
- Saturated Fat: 5 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 25 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 2 grams
- Cholesterol: 25 mg