16 Halloween Cookies to Make You the Coolest Mom on the Block

You guys, Halloween is honestly our favorite excuse to get a little wild in the kitchen. Before you begin, make sure to preheat oven to 350, embracing the halloween spirit crafting the perfect treat can feel overwhelming, but that’s why we’re here—cookie inspo for days.

We’ve rounded up 16 easy and fun Halloween cookies from trusted baking recipes, along with helpful recipe notes, that’ll have your crew snacking and smiling all October long.

Let’s be real: not every cookie turns out picture-perfect, and honestly, that’s half the fun. Whether you’re baking for a party or just for giggles with your favorite cookie cutters , we’re diving into the sweet, messy, and totally unscripted world of Halloween cookie magic.

1) Ghoul Mix M&M Halloween Cookies

Let’s talk Ghoul Mix M&M Halloween Cookies, because who doesn’t need an easy win this spooky season? We grab sugar cookie dough, toss in those wild Halloween Ghoul Mix M&Ms, and suddenly we look like we know what we’re doing—even if we don’t.

Bake them up and you get soft, colorful cookies that everyone fights over, so make sure to cool cookies properly before serving . These are perfect for last-minute school parties or a movie night at home.

You can even find them ready to bake from Nestle Toll House. No stress, just extra fun.

2) Chocolate Chip Halloween Sprinkles Cookies

Cookies just hit different with Halloween sprinkles on top, right? We mix in gooey chocolate chips and a pinch of baking soda, and for decorating, we can use a piping bag—don’t hold back on the sprinkles—no shame at all.

Whether we bake for a party or just to survive another Tuesday, these cookies are fast, easy, and always a win. Want a recipe? Check out these Halloween chocolate chip cookies loaded with sprinkles.

3) Zero Spread Sugar Cookie Dough

Who else has struggled with cookies that blob out in the oven? Been there. That’s why we love to use a baking sheet with zero spread sugar cookie dough that includes baking powder for Halloween shapes.

This dough holds its shape, so our pumpkins and ghosts actually look like pumpkins and ghosts—not melted snowmen. We roll it out, grab our favorite spooky cutters, and those shapes stay sharp while baking, allowing them to cool completely .

For best results, always review recipe and check out the required recipe ratings and some tips for making no spread sugar cookies to keep things easy.

4) Pumpkin-Spiced Sugar Cookies

Pumpkin and sugar cookies together? We’re so here for it. These little fall cuties bring that pumpkin spice latte vibe right into our kitchens—no fancy barista moves required.

Some recipes don’t even need to chill the dough, and mixing the wet ingredients includes using unsalted butter so these cookies are quick to bake when our sweet tooth can’t wait. They’re soft, spiced, and perfect for decorating with the kids.

For inspo, check out these pumpkin-spiced sugar cookies if you want a cookie that tastes like autumn in every bite.

5) Haunted Halloween Gingerbread House Cookies

Honestly, we never outgrow the fun of building haunted gingerbread houses. But making them as cookies? Even better.

We decorate tiny haunted cookie houses with all the spooky candy and wild icing drips our hearts desire. Grab some pre-baked kits if you’re feeling low-key—you’ll get everything you need in one handy box.

Find out more about Halloween gingerbread house kits.

6) Peanut Butter Spider Cookies with Frosting

Peanut butter cookies are always a win, right? But when we turn them into spiders with the help of a rolling pin —oh, it’s next-level cute. All you need is a basic peanut butter cookie, some frosting for legs, and candy eyes.

We roll the dough balls in sugar, bake until golden, and let them cool. Then, frosting makes the perfect “spider legs”—easy and fun.

If you want inspo, check out these Halloween spider cookie ideas.

7) Easy 2-Ingredient Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookies

This one is so simple, we almost feel like we’re cheating. All you need is a roll of chocolate chip cookie dough, granulated sugar, and a pack of those adorable Halloween sugar cookies.

Slice up the chocolate chip dough, wrap any leftovers in plastic wrap drop a Halloween cookie on top of each, and pop them in the oven. You won’t believe how cute (and yummy) these are.

If you want a play-by-play with a high recipe rating , check out the Pillsbury Halloween cookie hack that’s everywhere right now!

8) Chocolate Sugar Cookies with Fun Icing

Who says Halloween treats have to be spooky and fussy? Chocolate sugar cookies only need some cocoa, a few basic ingredients, and a sprinkle of wild imagination.

We roll out the dough, cut out silly ghosts or bats, and slap on bright, goofy icing faces. No shame in store-bought decorations.

Need inspo? Check out these chocolate sugar cookies with easy icing ideas. It’s all about the fun and making delicious cookies , not the perfection!

9) Rice Krispies Treats Pumpkin Kit

We love a shortcut, especially one that makes us look super creative with zero stress. The Rice Krispies Treats Pumpkin Kit is basically our new BFF for Halloween treat-making.

Everything you need is in one box—cereal, marshmallows, molds, and cute icing pens. We just add butter, mix, squish into shapes, and boom: pumpkin treats ready to show off.

You can grab this kit at stores like Walmart or online for an easy edible craft night.

10) Halloween Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Chocolate and cookies? We’re so in. These Halloween chocolate sugar cookies take regular sugar cookies and turn them into a chocolatey masterpiece.

We swap some flour for cocoa powder, and poof—chocolate magic! You can use these cookies to make cute bats, ghosts, or whatever your tiny monsters dream up.

Get the scoop on how to make them your own over at these Halloween chocolate sugar cookies.

11) TikTok Viral Pumpkin & Ghost Sugar Cookies

Let’s get real—these TikTok Halloween cookies are so easy, even our kitchen-challenged crew can handle them. We grab a pack of chocolate chip cookie dough and one of those cute Pillsbury sugar cookies with pumpkins or ghosts.

We pop the chocolate chip dough on a cookie sheet, set the sugar cookie right on top, and bake. That’s it!

The end result makes us look like total Pinterest parents, minus the stress. If you want a step-by-step, check out this TikTok Halloween cookies recipe.

12) Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookie Base with Festive M&Ms

Okay, let’s talk cookies—because honestly, who can say no to the classic chocolate chip?

We just add some festive M&Ms to the dough and bake until they turn golden brown, suddenly it’s a Halloween party for our taste buds.

These spooky cuties are super easy. Grab your favorite M&Ms (Ghouls Mix is adorable), sprinkle them in, and boom—your plain cookie transforms into a Halloween masterpiece.

Check out more inspo for these fun treats at this Halloween cookie roundup.

13) Mini Spider Peanut Butter Cookie Bites

Okay, these mini spider peanut butter cookie bites are seriously too cute (and honestly, way less scary than the real thing).

We just roll up little peanut butter cookie dough balls, bake them, and then add mini peanut butter cups right in the center.

Next comes the magic—drawing on those spider legs with melted chocolate and sticking on candy eyeballs.

The kids go wild for these!

Want the step-by-step? Check out this super easy guide to peanut butter spider cookies.

14) Halloween Sugar Cookie Cutouts with Royal Icing

Okay, these are our go-to for every holiday, but Halloween sugar cookie cutouts with royal icing are next-level cute.

We get to pick out our fave spooky shapes and add a splash of vanilla extract —bats, pumpkins, ghosts (the whole crew).

Mixing up royal icing colors is like a mini art party. Decorating them always ends in giggles (and way too much orange on our fingers).

If you need super easy tips, check out these Halloween cutout cookies with royal icing for inspiration!

15) Pumpkin-Shaped Sugar Cookies

Let’s be real—Halloween isn’t even the same without some cute pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies!

We can totally rock these with store-bought dough or whip up a batch from scratch if we’re feeling ambitious.

They are so easy. Just slice, cut little pie shapes for stems, and smoosh them like play-doh to look extra pumpkin-y.

Check out the simple steps over at this Pumpkin-Shaped Sugar Cookies recipe for a quick how-to.

16) Ghoul M&M Filled Sugar Cookie Treats

Okay, let’s be real—who can say no to a sugar cookie packed with bright Halloween M&Ms? Not us!

These Ghoul M&M Filled Sugar Cookie Treats are basically a party in a cookie—perfect for sharing along with a recipe card .

We can grab some pre-made dough and get cookies in the oven before the kids even realize we’re baking.

Sprinkle on extra orange, white, or black candies for fun!

Tips for Making Halloween Cookies with Kids

Let’s be honest, baking with kids at room temperature can get wild, but it’s worth every silly moment.

Giving our kids a little creative control and having a few hacks up our sleeves makes it all way less stressful—and way more fun.

Easy Decorating Ideas

Keeping it simple is our best friend when it comes to decorating.

We love using ready-made icing tubes, sprinkles, and candy eyes. They’re colorful, easy for little hands, and totally mess-friendly.

We can even stick marshmallows on top for some “monster teeth” or use chocolate chips for spider eyes.

Cut-out cookies are a huge hit—think pumpkins, ghosts, and bats.

We like letting the kids decorate with edible markers or bright, store-bought icing.

Another fun idea is a “cookie decorating station.” We lay out a large bowl of treats like mini candies, pretzels, and colored sugar.

Then, everyone gets to go wild, building their own masterpiece.

If we’re not in the mood for rolling dough, we just use store-bought cookies and focus on the fun part: decorating!

Sometimes, less is definitely more.

For more silly-cute ideas, check out these super fun Halloween cookie tips.

Mess-Reducing Baking Hacks

We know flour can cover every surface and eggshells somehow end up in the weirdest spots.

So, let’s make clean-up easier! First, we always lay down a big sheet of parchment paper or an old tablecloth.

It makes cleaning up the sprinkles and sticky icing way faster before we place them on a rack to cool completely .

We use wide, shallow bowls for sprinkles and decorations. This keeps everything in arm’s reach and stops candy from rolling onto the floor.

Aprons are totally our secret weapon—bonus points for a Halloween print!

If we have really young kids in the mix, we pre-measure ingredients in advance. That way, they can just dump everything in without any spills.

When the cookies are done, we keep wipes on hand for quick little hand washes (and maybe for the counters, too).

Making It a Family Tradition

Baking Halloween cookies together is one of our favorite ways to slow down and make memories.

We love turning it into an annual event. Each year, we try a new recipe, snap plenty of silly photos, and maybe watch a Halloween movie while the cookies bake.

We let everyone help pick the cookie shapes and vote on the “winning” design at the end.

Some families even hand out their cookies in cute bags to neighbors or friends, making it a sweet little tradition.

We sometimes invite grandparents or friends to join us on video chat while mixing in a medium bowl , so everyone can be part of the fun—even if they live far away.

If we’re feeling extra fancy, we make memory books with photos from each year’s cookie adventures.

It’s so cool to look back and see how our (and the kids’) decorating skills have changed. For more inspo, check out these cute Halloween cookie ideas.

Creative Ways to Serve Your Halloween Cookies

Halloween cookies are more than just snacks—they’re the life of the party and total mood boosters for everyone, from tiny monsters to grown-up ghouls, especially when we make a second batch!

If we’re going to spend a night in the kitchen, let’s make sure these cookies bake until golden brown, steal the show and maybe even turn into sweet little gifts that everyone raves about.

Cookie Platter Presentation

When we set out our Halloween cookies, let’s not just toss them on a boring plate. Instead, we can build a fun platter that totally wows.

Use a big tray or wooden board and line it with parchment paper covered in bats or spiderwebs (so easy to find at party stores).

Let’s stack up the cookies in little groups by type—have the spider cookies creeping in one corner for decorating , pumpkins grinning in another, and the mummies laying together like they just rolled out of bed.

For extra flair, sprinkle candy eyeballs or fake spiders between the cookies.

If we want to get extra, add bowls of gummy worms, popcorn balls, or candy corn to fill empty spaces.

Labeled name cards shaped like tombstones or ghosts can make it super easy for friends to know which cookie is which.

Don’t be afraid to go a little overboard—this is Halloween, after all.

For more cookie design inspo, check out these fun Halloween cookie ideas.

Party Favors and Gift Bags

If we end up with a pile of cookies (and honestly, that happens a lot), let’s store cookies using aluminum foil and turn them into party favors or sweet gifts. Grab some clear cellophane bags or small reusable containers.

Slip in two or three cookies. Tie them up with orange and black ribbon, or maybe just some bright twine if that’s what you have nearby.

Toss in a few themed stickers, glow sticks, or even a tiny plastic spider for an extra scare. If you’re feeling crafty, homemade tags with goofy notes or just the cookie name are always a hit with kids.

It’s a fun way to make everyone smile, even if they’re just grabbing treats to go. These little gifts work for class parties, neighborhood hangouts, or even as a surprise on a neighbor’s doorstep.

Need more ideas for what to put in those bags? Check out this roundup of creative Halloween cookie recipes.