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40 Halloween Cookie Recipes That Guarantee A Spooky Good Time

These might just beat out Halloween candy.

By , and Dora Villarosa
hocus pocus binx cookiespinterest
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI

While it's true that Halloween is all about the candy, your sweet intake for the holiday doesn't have to end there. We're here to advocate for Halloween cookies too. These easy recipes are a fun seasonal activity to enjoy making (and eating!) with kids, are a clever way to use up any leftover Halloween candy, or are the perfect way to add even more fall flavor into your life.

If you're looking for tricks with your Halloween treats, you'll really spook your friends when you present them with a batch of Dracula dentures, glowing black widow Oreo pops, and candy corn cobs. Some of these, like our mummy pops, our witch finger cookies, or our ube crinkle cookies (and really all of our scary-looking Halloween recipes), might almost be too scary-cute to eat. Almost.

Looking for more treats than tricks? Our apple crisp cookie cups, our pumpkin cheesecake cookies, our buckeye cookies, and more are full of the best that fall has to offer. They're proof you can eat your fruits and veggies AND cookies too! Win win.

Want more Halloween dessert ideas? Check out our favorite Halloween cakes and Halloween cupcakes too. And a little Halloween punch never hurt anyone. Need some Halloween party decoration ideas? We've got tons of pumpkin carving ideas to trick out your front yard (or just your apartment living room), as well as some next-level trunk or treat ideas too.

1

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies

pumpkin cookies with a cheesecake filling
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDSERON

Get your pumpkin and cheesecake fix in one with these pumpkin-spiced cookies stuffed with a little surprise: cream cheese filling! The warming pumpkin spice cookies complement the creamy, tangy flavors of cheesecake, creating the most decadent cookie you'll have all season long.

Get the Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies recipe.

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2

Hocus Pocus Binx Cookies

hocus pocus binx cookies
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI

Hocus Pocus is a must-watch every year, and these adorable Binx cookies are in honor of the classic movie character. Black cocoa powder turns these chewy chocolate cookies a dark rich color, perfect for our favorite talking cat.

Get the Hocus Pocus Binx Cookies recipe.

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3

Almond Joy Cookies

almond joy cookies
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER, FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

What if your favorite coconut-almond-chocolate candy bar morphed into a crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth cookie? We've done it! Joy is in the name for a reason.

Get the Almond Joy Cookies recipe.

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4

Witch Finger Cookies

witch finger cookies
RACHEL VANNI

Ghouls, goblins, and witches to the front, please! These witch finger cookies are exactly what they sound like: a shortbread cookie shaped into a severed finger and adorned with an almond nail and a bit of blood-red jam.

Get the Witch Finger Cookies recipe.

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5

Monster Cookies

monster cookies with oatmeal and mm's candy
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

The origin of the name "monster" cookies isn't clear, but it may refer to the fact that they're like Frankenstein's monster—they're a combination of many parts of other cookies (ours features oats, M&M's, peanuts, and pretzels) and are endlessly riffable.

Get the Monster Cookies recipe.

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6

Ube Crinkle Cookies

purple ube crinkle cookies
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: VICTORIA GRANOF

With its striking color and a unique nutty vanilla flavor profile, ube has taken over the world. Upgrade your average crinkle cookie this Halloween with ube extract and ube halaya, a popular Filipino pudding made with ube and condensed milk. Your guests won't know what hit 'em!

Get the Ube Crinkle Cookies recipe.

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7

Ghost Cookies

ghost cookies
Parker feierbach

The best way to never be afraid of ghosts? Turn them into cute little sugar cookies. These spooky ghosts will be a hit at every Halloween party and are far easier to make than they look!

Get the Ghost Cookies recipe.

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8

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
Parker feierbach

Adding pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice to chocolate chip cookie dough results in a heavenly pillow-like cookie with major autumn vibes. Yum!

Get the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

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9

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Biscotti

pumpkin spice chocolate chip biscotti
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Since pumpkin puree adds extra moisture to the cookies, these won’t get quite as dry as traditional biscotti, but are still plenty sturdy. Serve these with a pumpkin spice latte for a double-dose of fall this year.

Get the Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Biscotti recipe.

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10

Twix Cookies

twix cookies
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

These easy Twix cookies are the simplest way to make a copycat of our favorite candy bar. Crunchy shortbread is topped with caramel and milk chocolate and mimics a Twix perfectly. If you like salty sweet, a little flaky sea salt on the chocolate before it sets is divine too.

Get the Twix Cookies recipe.

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11

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

pumpkin oatmeal cookies
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: FRANCESCA ZANI

These fall treats combine the best of oatmeal cookies with pumpkin's delicious seasonality. Soft and chewy with a maple glaze that adds an autumnal flair, these pumpkin oatmeal cookies are just the thing to fill up your cookie jar this October.

Get the Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies recipe.

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12

Potato Chip Cookies

potato chip cookies
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Love chocolate chip cookies? Prepare to meet your new obsession. Sweet and salty, crunchy on the outside and chewy in the center, these potato chip cookies take everything we love about the classic chocolate chip cookie and crank up the volume—big time.

Get the Potato Chip Cookies recipe.

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13

Dracula Dentures

dracula dentures
Alexa Payesko

We used store-bought ingredients to make things a little easier for you, but feel free to swap for homemade if you like—all you need is some chocolate chip cookies, vanilla frosting, red food coloring, mini marshmallows, and almonds. They're a fun anytime snack this holiday season.

Get the Vampire Cookies recipe.

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14

M&M Cookie Bars

mm cookie bars cut into squares
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

These have all the comfort of a chocolate chip cookie, with the added crunch of M&M's and the heft of a bar shape, making for a delicious treat that’s impossible to put down. Try them with seasonal M&M's to switch them up for Halloween too.

Get the M&M Cookie Bars recipe.

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15

Day Of The Dead Cookies

day of the dead cookies
Parker feierbach

October 31 also marks the start of Day of the Dead—celebrate with these colorful skull cookies. Our classic sugar cookie holds its shape perfectly, and we love of our royal icing for all of our decorating needs. Use your favorite colors and decorate each skull to your own desire!

Get the Day Of The Dead Cookies recipe.

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16

Apple Crisp Cookie Cups

apple crisp cookie cups
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MARIANA VELASQUEZ

These cookie cups are the ultimate fall treat when you need a shareable version of the classic apple crisp. With an oatmeal cookie base, a spiced apple filling, and a caramel drizzle topping, these mini treats will please everyone at your fall gathering.

Get the Apple Crisp Cookie Cups recipe.

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17

Churro Cookies

churro cookies
Parker feierbach

We are obsessed with churros and love making them at home, but sometimes we don't have the time to fry up a fresh batch. These cookies are the perfect solution. Caramel gets sandwiched between puff pastry and then tossed in cinnamon sugar for a simple and fast yet completely decadent treat.

Get the Churro Cookies recipe.

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18

Jack-O'-Lantern Sandwich Cookies

jacko'lantern sandwich cookies
Erik bernstein

Pumpkin sugar cookies get sandwiched together with a cream cheese frosting for a perfect fall dessert. Carving a Jack-O'-Lantern into them for an adorable Halloween treat everyone will love is so much better than carving a real pumpkin.

Get the Jack-O'-Lantern Sandwich Cookies recipe.

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19

Mummy Pops

mummy pops
NAOMI ROBINSON

Did you know you can turn a classic Nutter Butter into one very spooky treat? Now you do! If you love these, you'll have to try our flip-flop cookies in the summer.

Get the Mummy Pops recipe.

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20

Hocus Pocus-Inspired S'mores Pops

hocus pocus inspired s'mores pops
Jonathan Boulton

You'll love these even more than the Sanderson Sisters loved their booooook. Complete your watch party spread with our Hocus Pocus Jell-O shots and our Binx cookies too!

Get the Hocus Pocus-Inspired S'mores Pops recipe.

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