Last updated on August 2nd, 2025 at 07:58 am
If you’re looking for a spooky-sweet treat that’s just as adorable as it is easy, these Spider Sandwich Cookies are perfect for your Halloween party table. Made with store-bought Chips Ahoy cookies, black buttercream frosting, pretzel legs, and candy eyes, they’re a no-bake win for busy parents who still want to serve up cute Halloween desserts without spending hours in the kitchen.
These fun little cookie spiders come together in just a few minutes, making them one of my go-to easy Halloween treats.
Ingredients for Spider Sandwich Cookies
You only need a handful of ingredients for this Halloween themed dessert—and there’s no baking required!
- 1 package of Chips Ahoy cookies (or any sturdy chocolate chip cookies)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- Black food coloring
- Candy eyes
- Pretzel sticks, broken in half to make “legs”
How to Make Spider Sandwich Cookies
These come together in about 10 minutes and are easy enough for kids to help make—perfect for Halloween parties or rainy afternoon activities.
1. Make your frosting
In a large mixing bowl, with an electric or stand mixer, beat your softened butter with the powdered sugar. Add the vanilla and a bit of milk. Keep beating everything until a smooth frosting forms.
If needed, add a bit more milk or powdered sugar to adjust for texture.
Add a couple drops of black food coloring and beat everything together until the food coloring is evenly distributed.
2. Add frosting to the cookies
I recommend putting the frosting in a piping bag with no tip to make this easier and neater, but you can also spread the frosting with a butter knife.
Flip over one cookie and pipe or spread a generous amount of black frosting on the flat side.
3. Top with the second cookie
Gently press a second cookie on top to form a sandwich. Press just until the frosting about reaches the edge of the cookies.
4. Add candy eyes
Add the candy eyes to the sides where the frosting is just coming out. You can add two for a classic look, or go wild with four or six for a cartoony vibe! If your sandwich cookie isn’t thick enough for the eyes to fit, you could also put a bit of frosting on the back of some eyes and put them on the top of your sandwich cookies.
5. Insert pretzel legs
Break 4 pretzel sticks in half and press 4 pretzel halves into each side of the frosting to act as legs. It helps to place the pretzels at a slight angle so they stick out and look more spidery.
6. Store
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. They taste best if they sit out a room temperature for just a few minutes, but I recommend keeping them in the fridge so the frosting stays firm and everything stays put together.
Pro Tips for Cute Halloween Desserts
- Use black gel food coloring instead of liquid—it gives a richer black color without thinning your frosting. Also, be careful with the black food coloring. It somehow manages to get everywhere and it does stain.
- Chill the cookies for 10–15 minutes before serving to help the frosting firm up and keep the legs in place. I recommend storing them in an airtight container in the fridge if possible and then taking them out just before serving.
- Make ahead: You can prep the frosting a day ahead and assemble the cookies a few hours before serving. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Let kids help: These spider sandwich cookies are a fun, low-mess project for little hands. Set up a decorating station and let them go wild with extra eyes, sprinkles, or edible glitter! I do recommend letting an adult handle the frosting, though, because that black food coloring can cause a lot of messes.
- Try different cookies: Chips Ahoy hold their shape well, but any sturdy cookie will work. You could even use chocolate sandwich cookies for an extra spidery look.
FAQs
Can I make these spider cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep everything a day or two in advance no problem. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge until it’s tim to serve. If you live somewhere that’s typically hot and humid around Halloween time (like me!), just note that you could get some condensation that forms on chilled spider sandwich cookies, but they will taste exactly the same.
Do I have to use black frosting?
Not at all! Black gives them a classic Halloween spider look, but you can als use chocolate frosting or any dark color you like. Purple or dark green would also be fun for a twist on the traditional.
What kind of candy eyes should I use?
I recommend using small to medium-sized candy eyes so they sit nicely on the cookie without falling off. You can find them at most grocery stores in the baking aisle around Halloween, or online. I usually get mine at Michael’s; one jar lasts me forever.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Just substitute your favorite gluten-free cookies and pretzel sticks. Make sure your frosting and candy eyes are gluten-free too if you’re making them for someone with an allergy.
These Spider Sandwich Cookies are one of my favorite easy Halloween desserts to make with kids. They’re fast, festive, and just the right amount of spooky to fit into any Halloween party spread. Plus, they double as a fun Halloween activity if you let little ones assemble their own spider friends.
With minimal prep and a big wow factor, these cute Halloween desserts are sure to become a go-to recipe year after year. They’re the kind of easy Halloween treats that make the season extra special.
So grab a pack of cookies, some black frosting, and a few pretzel sticks—it’s time to make some spider sandwich cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat!
Spider Sandwich Cookies
Equipment
- 1 piping bag optional, but helpful
Ingredients
- 1 package Chips Ahoy cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1-2 Tbsp milk to adjust for texture
- Black food coloring gel works best
- Candy eyes I recommend the medium-sized ones
- Pretzel sticks broken in half to make the legs
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, with an electric or stand mixer, beat your softened butter with the powdered sugar. Add the vanilla and a bit of milk. Keep beating everything until a smooth frosting forms.
- If needed, add a bit more milk or powdered sugar to adjust for texture.
- Add a couple drops of black food coloring and beat everything together until the food coloring is evenly distributed.
- I recommend putting the frosting in a piping bag with no tip to make this easier and neater, but you can also spread the frosting with a butter knife.
- Flip over one cookie and pipe or spread a generous amount of black frosting on the flat side.
- Gently press a second cookie on top to form a sandwich. Press just until the frosting about reaches the edge of the cookies.
- Add the candy eyes to the sides where the frosting is just coming out. You can add two for a classic look, or go wild with four or six for a cartoony vibe! If your sandwich cookie isn’t thick enough for the eyes to fit, you could also put a bit of frosting on the back of some eyes and put them on the top of your sandwich cookies.
- Break 4 pretzel sticks in half and press 4 pretzel halves into each side of the frosting to act as legs. It helps to place the pretzels at a slight angle so they stick out and look more spidery.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge. They taste best if they sit out a room temperature for just a few minutes, but I recommend keeping them in the fridge so the frosting stays firm and everything stays put together.
