Name: Halloween Black Monster Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 24 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter salted or unsalted, softened; 1/3 cup white sugar; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2/3 cup black cocoa powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/4 cup Halloween sprinkles; 3/4 cup peanut butter chips; Halloween eye candies (for topping)

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 27 reviews

If you’re looking to wow your guests with a treat that’s as festive as it is delicious, then you’ve got to try this Halloween Black Monster Cookies Recipe. Trust me, these spooky, chocolatey, peanut buttery monsters are everything you want for your Halloween bash – gooey, packed with fun sprinkles, and perfectly soft with a hint of richness from black cocoa powder. Stick with me, and I’ll share all my best tips to get them just right!

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Why This Recipe Works

Rich Black Cocoa Powder: Gives these cookies that eerie jet-black color and intense chocolate flavor that sets them apart from typical chocolate cookies.
Peanut Butter Chips: Add creamy, nutty bites that complement the chocolate and add texture without overwhelming sweetness.
Sprinkles & Eye Candies: Bring creepy fun and festive flair that turns these cookies into Halloween stars.
Balanced Sweetness & Soft Texture: Made just right with a combo of brown and white sugar, so they’re chewy and soft but not too sweet or cakey.

Halloween Black Monster Cookies, spooky Halloween cookies, black cocoa cookies, chocolate peanut butter cookies, Halloween dessert ideas - A dark black cookie with a bite taken from its side lies on a beige textured surface. The cookie has several light tan chips scattered across its top along with small orange and yellow sprinkles. Two white candy eyes with black pupils are placed near the center, giving the cookie a playful face-like look. A plastic black spider sits to the right of the cookie, adding a spooky touch. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Getting these cookies right means understanding each ingredient’s role. From the bitter depth of black cocoa powder to the sweet hit from brown sugar and the richness from butter — they all play together beautifully. When you grab your ingredients, look for quality items, especially the black cocoa powder, which is the star.

Halloween Black Monster Cookies, spooky Halloween cookies, black cocoa cookies, chocolate peanut butter cookies, Halloween dessert ideas - Flat lay of softened golden butter pats, light and dark brown sugar piles with fine crystals sparkling, a single large glossy white egg, rich black cocoa powder in a small mound with deep matte texture, creamy pale peanut butter chips scattered loosely, vibrant multicolored Halloween sprinkles in orange, purple, and black, and eerie white eyeball candies with red veins, all naturally arranged with slight overlaps and shadows, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Butter: Using softened butter lets you cream easily with sugars, adding fluffiness and moisture to your cookie base.
White Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that classic cookie crisp outside.
Brown Sugar: Provides moisture and chewiness along with a touch of caramel flavor.
Egg: Binds all the ingredients together and adds richness.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances all other flavors and balances the chocolate intensity.
All-Purpose Flour: Forms the cookie structure, so measuring accurately matters to avoid dense cookies.
Black Cocoa Powder: This is key for the deep black color and intense, slightly bitter chocolate flavor. Not regular cocoa!
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor complexity.
Baking Soda: Helps with the cookie’s texture and rise.
Halloween Sprinkles: Adds festive crunch and color contrast – go for nonpareils for that traditional look.
Halloween Eye Candies: The finishing spooky touch that makes these cookies monster-worthy!
Peanut Butter Chips: Adds bursts of creamy nuttiness that pair perfectly with black cocoa.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Halloween Black Monster Cookies Recipe is super flexible! I’ve played around with adding different mix-ins and adjusting the sweetness depending on who’s nibbling. One thing is for sure — it’s a total crowd-pleaser as is, but don’t let that stop you from customizing.

Variation: I sometimes swap peanut butter chips for white chocolate or butterscotch chips for a different flavor vibe, and surprisingly, it still works wonderfully.
Dietary Modifications: You can swap butter for a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free chips to make these vegan-friendly.
Halloween Themes: Beyond eyeball candies, try mini gummy worms or edible glitter to make your cookies pop even more at your party.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Halloween Black Monster Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Like a Pro

First things first, I always preheat my oven to 350°F and line the baking sheet with parchment paper. Trust me on this—parchment stops the cookies from sticking and helps them bake evenly without burning bottoms. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars to Perfection

Next, in a large bowl, I cream softened butter with both white and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy — this usually takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. You’ll notice the color lighten and the texture become silky, which bodes well for soft cookies later. Add your egg and vanilla, then whisk to blend everything smoothly.

Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients Just Right

Now, sift or whisk your flour, black cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda together — this avoids any clumps and ensures they’re evenly dispersed. Fold the dry mix into the wet ingredients gently, just until you don’t see any more flour. Overmixing here can toughen cookies, so err on the side of a little flour streak than overdoing it.

Step 4: Fold in Sprinkles and Peanut Butter Chips

I love folding in the festive Halloween nonpareil sprinkles and those creamy peanut butter chips last so they don’t lose color or shape. This mix-in adds both crunch and gooey bites, a combo that keeps you coming back for more.

Step 5: Scoop, Bake, and Top

Here’s where the fun happens: using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop helps you portion equally sized dough balls. That means even baking and pretty cookies. Bake for 8-9 minutes, then immediately press spooky eyeball sprinkles and extra peanut butter chips on top. Let them cool on the sheet for 15 minutes — they set up better and you avoid crumbly cookies.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Use Black Cocoa, Not Regular: I once used regular cocoa, and it just didn’t give that striking black color or depth of flavor.
Don’t Overbake: The edges will look set but the center should stay soft—cookies firm up while cooling.
Quick Cooling Trick: Cool cookies on the parchment-lined sheet for 15 minutes before moving them; this helped me keep theirs intact and gooey.
Perfect Size Scoop: The 2-tablespoon scoop keeps cookies uniform, so no cookie ends up burnt or undercooked.

How to Serve Halloween Black Monster Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of topping these monsters with those Halloween eyeball candies—it’s a simple, fun detail that kids and adults both love. Sometimes I’ll sprinkle a little extra Halloween confetti sprinkle around the platter for an extra festive look.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk to balance the richness. For parties, I also like serving them alongside pumpkin spice lattes or whipped hot chocolate for an extra cozy vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange cookies in a spiderweb pattern on a large black plate, or place them around a “witch’s cauldron” of punch for a dramatic display. During one Halloween, I used mini pumpkin baskets for each cookie—super fun and perfect for gifting!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover Halloween Black Monster Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. They keep their softness beautifully when stored properly — if they start to firm up, just pop one in the microwave for about 10 seconds before eating.

Freezing

Freezing these cookies is a great option! I freeze unbaked dough balls separated on a tray, then transfer them to a ziplock bag. When you’re ready to bake, just thaw for 15 minutes and bake as usual. The cookies come out just as delightful as fresh.

Reheating

Leftover baked cookies can be refreshed by warming them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwaving for 10-15 seconds. This brings back that just-baked softness and elevates the peanut butter chips’ melty goodness.

FAQs

Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of black cocoa powder?

While you can substitute regular cocoa powder, the cookies won’t have the dramatic black color or the same deep chocolate intensity that black cocoa powder offers. For the true “monster” effect, stick to black cocoa.
How do I make sure my Halloween Black Monster Cookies stay soft?

The key is not to overbake them. Remove cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers still look soft. Cooling them on the baking sheet also helps them finish baking gently and stay chewy.
Can I make these cookies dairy-free or vegan?

Yes! Use a plant-based butter alternative and vegan-friendly peanut butter chips. Also, swap the egg for a flax or chia egg substitute. The texture might change slightly but they’re still delicious.
How do I store leftover cookies for best freshness?

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep soft for 3-4 days. For longer storage, freezing the dough or baked cookies works well.

Final Thoughts

I can honestly say this Halloween Black Monster Cookies Recipe has become a fall favorite in my kitchen. It’s got that perfect balance of spooky presentation and delicious, comforting flavors that guests rave about every year. If you’re going to pick just one Halloween treat to make, trust me — these black monsters will steal the show and the hearts (and stomachs) of everyone you share them with. Go on, bake a batch, and prepare for some serious cookie love!