Spider Web Sugar Cookies

Who doesn’t love a good sugar cookie?

The soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet flavor make them a classic treat for any occasion.

But why settle for ordinary sugar cookies when you can add a fun, fall twist to them?

With our Spider Web Sugar Cookies recipe, you can create adorable and delicious cookies that are perfect for any spider-themed party.

Let’s dive into the recipe and get ready to enjoy some creative sweetness!

Before we jump into the recipe, let’s take a quick look at the ingredients you’ll need.

Ingredients Needed for Spider Web Cookies

• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature) or margarine
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp. almond extract
• 1 ¼ cups flour
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. cream of tartar

For the frosting, you’ll need:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 4 TBSP. cocoa powder
• 4-5 TBSP. milk

And don’t forget the Reese’s Pieces candies for the adorable spider decorations!

How to Make Spider Web Cookies

1. Start by adding all the dry ingredients for the cookies to a medium mixing bowl. Mix them until they’re well combined.
2. Add the butter or margarine and egg to the bowl. Mix everything together using clean hands until the ingredients are well combined.
3. Pour in the vanilla and almond extracts and continue mixing well.
4. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator for one hour. This step is important as it allows the dough to firm up, making it easier to work with.
5. Once the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Place the dough on a floured parchment paper and roll it out to approximately ¼ inch thick. You want the cookies to be thick enough to hold their shape but not too thick that they become heavy.
7. Use a 2-2 ½ inch round cookie cutter to cut out your desired shapes. Feel free to get creative here and choose Halloween-themed cookie cutters if you have them!
8. Transfer the cookies onto a cookie sheet and bake them for approximately 7 minutes or until the bottoms turn slightly golden brown. Be careful not to overbake them, as they’ll become too crisp.
9. Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on a cooling rack. This step is essential to ensure that your frosting will adhere properly to the cookies.

With the cookies baked and cooled, it’s time to move on to the frosting. Follow these steps to create a luscious and spooky frosting for your spider web sugar cookies:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the butter and vanilla extract. Mix them until they become creamy and well combined.
2. Pour in the powdered sugar and mix well. At this stage, the mixture might seem dry, but don’t worry—we’ll add the milk to bring it all together.
3. Add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. You want it to be easy to spread but not too runny.
4. Separate approximately ½ cup of the frosting into a separate bowl. This portion will be used to create the spider webs.
5. Add the cocoa powder to the remaining frosting in the mixing bowl and beat it until it becomes fluffy. If the cocoa powder makes the frosting dry, add another splash of milk to moisten it.

Now comes the fun part—decorating the cookies!

1. Start by spreading the chocolate frosting you prepared earlier on each cookie. Make sure to cover the entire surface.
2. Put the white frosting in a piping bag and create spider webs by piping three lines that intersect in the center. Then, connect each section with two curved lines. This will give your cookies that classic spider web look.
3. Place a Reese’s Pieces candy on each cookie to serve as the spider’s body. You can get creative and use different colors for variety.
4. Finally, use the remaining chocolate frosting to pipe on little spider legs for each candy body. Be as creative as you like, and give each spider its own personality!

Once you’ve finished decorating all the cookies, store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

A few notes to keep in mind:

• If you’re using butter, avoid letting the dough sit in the refrigerator for too long, as it can become too hard to roll out. Margarine-based dough can be refrigerated longer, even overnight.
• To ensure your cookies have the perfect texture, make sure to bake them until the bottoms turn slightly golden brown. This will give them a slight crispness without making them too fragile to decorate.

Can You Use Salted or Unsalted Butter in Spider Cookies?

You can use salted butter if that’s all you have on hand. Just keep in mind that the cookies may have a slightly saltier taste.

Can You Substitute Margarine For Butter?

Yes, you can use margarine instead of butter in this recipe. However, make sure it’s at room temperature and of a similar consistency to butter. The dough can also be refrigerated longer when using margarine.

Can I make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight?

If you’re using margarine, you can refrigerate the dough overnight. However, if you’re using butter, it’s best not to let the dough sit in the refrigerator for much longer than an hour, as it can become too hard to roll out.

Can I use a different cookie cutter shape?

Absolutely! Feel free to get creative and use any cookie cutter shape you like.

How do I store the cookies?

Once the cookies are fully decorated, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for about 3-4 days.

Can I use a different type of frosting?

Yes, you can experiment with different frostings if you prefer. However, the chocolate and white frostings in this recipe complement each other nicely and create a great contrast for the spider web design.

Can I omit the almond extract?

Yes, you can omit the almond extract if you prefer. The cookies will still turn out delicious with just the vanilla extract. However, almond extract adds a subtle nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients well.

Can I use a different type of candy for the spider bodies?

Absolutely! If you don’t have Reese’s Pieces candies or prefer a different candy, you can use other small round candies or even chocolate chips. Get creative and use what you have on hand.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, you can freeze these cookies. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating the layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can make these cookies gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour. Make sure to check that all your ingredients, including the baking soda and cream of tartar, are gluten-free as well.

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