Pin it
These witchy Halloween Cookies cast a spell at any spooky bash! The deep chocolate dough packed with colorful M&M's hides a surprise - bright green gooey center that'll make everyone gasp. They're super simple to whip up and will vanish from your table faster than you can say abracadabra! Just what you need to add some enchantment to your Halloween fun!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 1 Cup Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter: Gives these treats their soft, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- 3/4 Cup Sugar: Brings the sweetness and helps create that perfect bite.
- 2/3 Cup Brown Sugar (packed): Adds moistness and a hint of caramel flavor.
- 2 Large Eggs: Works as the glue that holds everything together.
- 1 tsp Vanilla: Boosts the overall taste profile.
- 2 1/4 Cup Flour: Forms the backbone of your cookie mix.
- 2/3 Cup Cocoa Powder (unsweetened): Creates that intense chocolate taste everyone loves.
- 1 tsp Baking Soda: Keeps cookies soft and gives them a bit of lift.
- 1/4 tsp Salt: Cuts through sweetness and makes flavors pop.
- 16 oz White Frosting (one container): Transforms into the magical green filling.
- 5 drops Neon Green Gel Food Coloring: Creates that eerie Halloween glow inside.
- M&M Candies (Orange, Green, and Purple): Adds Halloween colors and crunch on top.
VARIATIONS
- Different Color Centers: Try orange, purple or pitch black frosting for an extra scary touch.
- Gooey Middle: Swap in some caramel for an oozing sweet surprise when bitten.
- Nutty Twist: Mix a spoonful of peanut butter into your dough to complement the candy pieces.
- Extra Festive: Scatter Halloween-themed sprinkles on top for more spooky decoration.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1:
- Get your oven hot at 350°F (175°C). Put parchment paper or a silicone mat on your cookie sheet.
- Step 2:
- Sort your M&M's by color into green, orange, and purple piles. Keep them handy for later.
- Step 3:
- Mix flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder in a bowl. Put this dry mix aside.
- Step 4:
- Beat the soft butter with both sugars in a big bowl until it looks fluffy using your electric mixer.
- Step 5:
- Crack in the eggs and pour vanilla into your butter-sugar mix. Beat until it's all smooth.
- Step 6:
- Slowly add your dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring until you've got nice cookie dough.
- Step 7:
- Gently stir in half of your sorted M&M's so they spread throughout the dough.
- Step 8:
- Roll dough into 2-inch balls and place on your prepared sheet. Push the leftover M&M's into the tops.
- Step 9:
- Bake for 9-11 minutes until the edges look done. Let them sit on the hot pan briefly before moving to a cooling rack.
- Step 10:
- Pop the white frosting in the microwave for 15 seconds to loosen it up. Stir in the green food coloring until it's bright and glowy.
- Step 11:
- Take your flavor injector, poke each cookie's side, and squeeze in green frosting until the top slightly cracks. Do this with all cookies.
- Step 12:
- Watch your magical Halloween cookies vanish before your eyes when you serve them!
Serving and Storage Tips
- These magical Halloween cookies shine at any costume party but they're also perfect for movie nights at home. They taste amazing with cold milk or warm cocoa.
- Keep any leftover cookies in a sealed container on your counter for up to 5 days. Want them to last longer? Stick them in the fridge for a week.
- Need to plan ahead? Make the dough early, chill it, and bake on party day. You can even freeze the dough balls for up to 3 months for last-minute treats.
Tips from well-known chefs
- Chef Duff Goldman: "Play with bright colors and bold tastes when making fun treats. Always put your own spin on recipes!"
- Chef Buddy Valastro: "When you're putting frosting inside cookies, make sure they're cool enough so the frosting doesn't melt but warm enough that they won't break."
- Chef Christina Tosi: "Always add a tiny bit of salt to sweet stuff. It makes everything taste better and brings out all the yummy flavors."