If you’re on the hunt for a truly irresistible treat this spooky season, you’ve got to try my Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe. These cookies are the perfect balance of rich, fudgy chocolate with bursts of candy-coated fun that make every bite a celebration. Trust me, whether you’re baking for a kids’ party, a Halloween gathering, or just because you love chocolate (who doesn’t?), this recipe will have you coming back for more.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Rich Double Chocolate Flavor: Thanks to black cocoa powder and white chocolate chips, these cookies are deeply chocolatey yet wonderfully balanced.
  • Festive Halloween Fun: Halloween M&Ms and candy eyeballs add playful pops of color and texture, perfect for the season.
  • Soft, Chewy Texture: These cookies come out puffy and soft—never hard or crumbly—thanks to the cornstarch and precise baking time.
  • Simple Yet Impressive: No complicated ingredients or steps, just straightforward baking that yields show-stopping results.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays its part in creating the perfect Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe. I’ve picked items you’re likely to have on hand or can easily find, with a few special touches that really boost flavor and texture.

  • Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt level precisely, and the cool room temperature helps the dough cream up nicely.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides structure and a bit of crispness to balance the chewiness.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel undertone that complements the cocoa.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the chocolate flavors—don’t skip it!
  • Egg: Acts as a binder and adds richness; using one at room temp ensures better mixing.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the sturdy base of the cookie, balancing the softer ingredients.
  • Black Cocoa Powder: This powder makes the cookies dark and intense—if you can’t find it, Dutch-process cocoa powder works well too.
  • Cornstarch: The secret to soft, tender cookies by softening the flour’s protein.
  • Fine Sea Salt: Highlights the sweet and chocolate notes—balance is key here.
  • Baking Soda and Baking Powder: Combined to help the cookies rise just right and keep their soft texture.
  • White Chocolate Chips: They add a creamy sweetness and contrast beautifully with the dark dough.
  • Halloween M&Ms: Fun, crunchy, and festive candy pieces that melt slightly for texture and color.
  • Edible Candy Eyeballs: For that spooky Halloween vibe—you can find these in baking aisles or specialty shops.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe my own depending on the occasion or what I have in the pantry. It’s such a flexible base you can customize easily—so don’t be afraid to get creative!

  • Peanut Butter Swirl: I sometimes mix in a swirl of peanut butter before baking; it adds a salty, nutty twist that my family adores.
  • Vegan Version: You can swap the butter for vegan margarine and use a flax egg instead—these changes worked well when I made them dairy-free for a friend.
  • Spiced Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder for a warm or spicy kick; it might sound wild, but I swear it’s delicious.
  • Frozen Cookie Dough Bites: I occasionally freeze the raw dough balls so I can bake fresh cookies anytime—a real game-changer for last-minute cravings.

How to Make Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper—this makes cleanup easy and ensures your cookies don’t stick. Then, in your mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter with the granulated and brown sugars on medium speed until fluffy and light, about 3 minutes. I always scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything combines evenly. This step is crucial for the perfect texture—don’t rush it!

Step 2: Add Vanilla and Egg

Next, add in the vanilla extract and your room temperature egg. Beat until everything is well incorporated and creamy. This helps bind the dough so your cookies hold together but stay tender.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, black cocoa powder (I sift mine to avoid lumps), cornstarch, fine sea salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Gradually add this dry mix into the wet ingredients, stirring until you get a slightly sticky dough. You want it moist but firm enough to hold its shape.

Step 4: Fold in the Fun Stuff

Now for the good part — fold in the white chocolate chips and Halloween M&Ms using a rubber spatula. Be gentle so you don’t break up the candies too much. This step is what makes this Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe so festive and fun.

Step 5: Scoop, Garnish, and Bake

Using a large spring-loaded cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons per cookie), place your dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart—they do spread a bit! I like to dot extra white chocolate chips, M&Ms, and candy eyeballs on top of each cookie dough ball before popping them into the oven; it makes them look spooky and inviting. Bake for about 12 minutes, keeping a close eye so they remain soft and puffy, not dry or crunchy. After removing from the oven, let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Pro Tips for Making Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe

  • Don’t Skip Sifting the Cocoa: Black cocoa powder can clump easily; sifting ensures a smooth dough and even chocolate flavor.
  • Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Butter and egg at room temp mix better, giving the dough a nice texture and helping the cookies bake evenly.
  • Watch the Bake Time Closely: These cookies look soft when you remove them but will firm up as they cool—overbaking dries them out.
  • Customize Your Mix-ins: Feel free to swap Halloween M&Ms for other candies or nuts depending on taste or allergy needs.

How to Serve Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe

The image shows dark black cookies with a rough texture, each decorated with colorful candy pieces in green, orange, purple, and white, scattered on a crinkled white parchment paper over a white marbled surface. One cookie is broken in the middle, revealing the thick, soft inside, and the candies are embedded in the top layer, giving the cookies a playful and vibrant look. Small loose candies surround the cookies, adding pops of bright color around the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I always garnish mine with extra white chocolate chips and the candy eyeballs right on top before baking—it looks so cute and spooky! If you want to get fancy, a quick drizzle of melted white or colored chocolate after baking adds a nice touch. Sprinkles or edible glitter can be fun too.

Side Dishes

These cookies go perfectly with a cold glass of milk or even a warm cup of hot chocolate—especially if you’re serving them at a Halloween party. For an adults-only twist, try them with a coffee or even spiked pumpkin spice latte; my friends loved this combo last year!

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween gatherings, I like arranging these cookies on a black or orange platter with fake spider webs and plastic spiders around them for an eerie vibe. Another favorite is packing them in clear bags tied with festive ribbon—perfect party favors or treats for neighbors!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them soft and chewy without getting stale. If the cookies lose a bit of their fresh-baked softness, a quick zap in the microwave for 10 seconds brings them back to life.

Freezing

I’ve had great luck freezing these cookies both as dough balls and fully baked. For dough, I scoop them onto a sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. You can bake them straight from frozen—just add a minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies freeze well wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop one or two cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds—it softens them without melting the candy too much. Alternatively, warming them in a low oven (300°F for 5 minutes) can help if you want a freshly baked feel for a crowd.

FAQs

  1. Can I substitute regular cocoa powder for black cocoa powder in this recipe?

    Yes, you can use Dutch-process cocoa powder if black cocoa powder isn’t available. The cookies will be lighter in color and slightly less intense in chocolate flavor, but still delicious. Just make sure it’s unsweetened cocoa for the best results.

  2. How do I keep the cookies soft and chewy?

    The key is not overbaking and including cornstarch in the dough, which tenderizes the cookies. Remove them from the oven when they’re still puffy and slightly underdone, then let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack.

  3. Can I make this recipe gluten free?

    Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend that’s meant for baking. You might need to adjust baking time slightly, but the dough should behave very similarly.

  4. Why do the cookies need both baking soda and baking powder?

    Using both provides balanced leavening; baking soda reacts with the acid in brown sugar for lift, while baking powder gives a gentler rise for a soft, puffy texture. This combo helps your cookies rise perfectly without becoming cakey.

Final Thoughts

This Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe is honestly one of my all-time favorites for any Halloween celebration. I love the deep chocolate flavor combined with festive candy bursts and that soft, chewy texture. Every year, my friends and family go crazy for them, and it’s become a tradition I look forward to baking and sharing. Give this recipe a try—you’ll be surprised how easy it is, and I bet you’ll want to keep a batch ready all season long!

Print
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Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 82 reviews
  • Author: Julia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 11 to 13 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies are a festive and indulgent treat perfect for the spooky season. Soft, chewy, and loaded with rich black cocoa, white chocolate chips, and vibrant Halloween M&Ms, these cookies are finished with fun edible candy eyeballs for a playful touch. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, they’re sure to be a favorite at any Halloween gathering.


Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg, at room temperature

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup (127 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (43 grams) black cocoa powder (or Dutch-process), sifted
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Add-ins and Garnishes

  • 1/2 cup (85 grams) white chocolate chips, plus more for garnish
  • 1 cup (218 grams) Halloween M&Ms, plus more for garnish
  • Edible candy eyeballs, for garnish


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and both granulated and brown sugars together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
  3. Add Vanilla and Egg: Add the vanilla extract and egg to the creamed butter and sugars, beating well until fully combined and smooth.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, black cocoa powder, cornstarch, sea salt, baking soda, and baking powder until thoroughly mixed.
  5. Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer, beating until a slightly sticky dough forms.
  6. Fold in Chocolate Chips and M&Ms: Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the white chocolate chips and Halloween M&Ms, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
  7. Scoop Dough and Garnish: Using a large spring-loaded cookie scoop, drop approximately 3-tablespoon sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each at least 2 inches apart. Decorate the top of each cookie dough ball with extra white chocolate chips, M&Ms, and edible candy eyeballs for a festive look.
  8. Bake: Bake the cookies for about 12 minutes, until they are puffy but still soft in the center. Be careful not to overbake to maintain a soft, chewy texture.
  9. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Notes

  • For best results, use room temperature butter and egg to ensure the dough comes together smoothly.
  • If black cocoa powder is unavailable, Dutch-process cocoa powder can be used as a substitute.
  • Do not overbake the cookies; they should remain soft and chewy in the center.
  • Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Customize the garnish with other Halloween-themed candies or sprinkles for variety.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 100mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 23g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

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