Give each monster a personality
Add the candy eyes after baking so their painted details stay intact. Keep the orange chocolate candies in the dough, then use a dab of melted chocolate to attach eyes once the cookies are cool. Choose edible candy eyes, not craft decorations.
Before you bake
This recipe has not been independently kitchen-tested. Photographs are illustrative. Oven behavior and yields vary; use the doneness cues, and allow additional time for cooling, decorating, and successive trays. Cook time is per tray.
Halloween chocolate monster cookies
Chocolate cookies with candy eyes and orange candy crunch: a playful Halloween baking project.
- Prep
- 25 minutes
- Bake
- 12 minutes
- Total
- 57 minutes
- Yield
- About 20 cookies
Includes 20 minutes chilling. Total is for the first batch, before cooling; allow extra time for additional trays.
Ingredients
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Instructions
- Beat butter and both sugars for 2 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Stir into the butter mixture just until combined, then fold in candy-coated chocolates. Chill 20 minutes.
- Heat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Scoop level 1 1/2-tablespoon portions, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake one tray at a time for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and centers no longer look wet. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool completely.
- Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 15-second bursts, stirring between bursts. Use tiny dots to attach two edible eyes to each cooled cookie. Let the chocolate set before stacking.
A little baking advice
Check a cookie underneath for scorching; dark cocoa dough hides browning. Keep decorations within reach before melting the chocolate.
Substitutions & variations
Replace orange candies with the same volume of chocolate chips. Natural cocoa is specified; Dutch-process cocoa may change spread and flavor.
Storage & freezing
Store airtight at room temperature for up to 4 days, with parchment between layers. Freeze undecorated baked cookies for up to 2 months; thaw before adding eyes.
Tools for this recipe
An independent editorial selection, based on published specifications—not hands-on testing. Retailer links are ordinary, non-affiliate links; we currently earn no commission from them. Read our disclosure.
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet
Aluminum · 17.1 × 12.1 × 1-inch interior
Why consider it: A light-colored surface, generous baking area, and reinforced rim make a straightforward everyday choice.
Keep in mind: Hand-wash recommended. Measure your oven against the exterior dimensions before buying.
OXO Medium Cookie Scoop
1 1/2-tablespoon capacity · trigger release
Why consider it: A stated portion size takes the guesswork out of everyday drop cookies.
Keep in mind: Not intended to force through very hard chilled dough; not needed for cutout cookies.
