Witch Hat Halloween Cookies are a playful, festive treat perfect for celebrating the spooky season. With a rich peanut butter cookie base, vibrant purple coloring, and chocolate kiss “hat tops,” these cookies bring fun, flavor, and creativity to Halloween gatherings, classroom parties, or a seasonal baking activity with kids. Easy to make and visually impressive, they are sure to delight both children and adults.
The charm of these cookies lies in their combination of flavors and textures. Soft, slightly chewy peanut butter cookies provide a deliciously rich base, while chocolate Hugs or Kisses serve as the hat tips, creating a whimsical and recognizable Halloween motif. The use of purple gel food coloring adds a vibrant touch that enhances the festive feel of your cookie tray. These cookies are simple to prepare, require common pantry ingredients, and allow for creative personalization with colors and decorations.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Witch Hat Halloween Cookies are both fun and flavorful, combining classic peanut butter taste with a festive presentation. They are ideal for themed parties or as gifts in treat bags. The recipe is straightforward, requiring only basic baking skills and minimal prep time. The cookies have a soft texture with just enough firmness to hold the chocolate “hat” in place. They’re customizable—you can experiment with different colored icings, add sprinkles, or even adjust the size for bite-sized treats. These cookies are a perfect way to engage kids in baking while celebrating Halloween.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- Purple gel food coloring
- 30 Hugs or chocolate Kisses, carefully unwrapped
These ingredients combine to create cookies that are soft, flavorful, and festive. The peanut butter provides richness and moisture, while flour, cornstarch, and leavening agents give structure and a soft, tender crumb. Sugar sweetens the dough and helps create a slight crispness on the edges. Gel food coloring allows you to add a playful purple hue, and the chocolate Hugs or Kisses give the cookies their signature “witch hat” appearance.
Step-by-Step Method
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large mixing bowl, beat together softened butter and sugar until creamy and smooth. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and peanut butter, mixing until fully incorporated. Add a few drops of purple gel food coloring to the dough, stirring until evenly colored.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft cookie dough forms. Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but soft. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool slightly for 2–3 minutes. Gently press a chocolate Hugs or Kiss into the center of each cookie while still warm, creating the “witch hat” top. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing.
Tips for Perfect Witch Hat Cookies
Use room-temperature butter and egg for smoother mixing and consistent dough. Don’t overbake—the cookies should remain soft and slightly chewy to support the chocolate hat. If the dough is too sticky, chill it for 10–15 minutes before rolling. For even coloring, start with a small amount of gel food coloring and add more as needed. Make sure chocolate Hugs or Kisses are gently pressed into the cookies while warm, but avoid pushing them too far, which could cause them to sink.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Witch Hat Halloween Cookies on a festive platter at a Halloween party, or include them in treat bags for classmates or neighbors. Pair them with hot chocolate, apple cider, or coffee for a cozy seasonal snack. They are also fun for baking activities with children, who can help color the dough, roll the cookies, and decorate with chocolate tops.
Variations
Swap peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for a different flavor. Add mini chocolate chips or sprinkles to the dough for extra texture and fun. Experiment with different gel food coloring shades like green, orange, or black to create a colorful Halloween cookie platter. Use caramel or white chocolate pieces instead of Hugs or Kisses for a twist on the classic look. For extra detail, pipe colored icing around the base of the chocolate hat to create a “hat band.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before baking.
2. Can I freeze these cookies? Yes, bake first, then freeze cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
3. Can I make smaller or larger cookies? Yes, adjust the dough balls’ size; just bake a few minutes longer or shorter depending on size.
4. Can I use other chocolate candies? Yes, any small chocolate pieces or Hershey’s Kisses work well.
5. How should I store leftover cookies? Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
6. Can I make them vegan? Substitute dairy-free butter and a flax egg for egg, and ensure your chocolate is dairy-free.
7. Can I make other colors? Yes, use gel food coloring to create any Halloween color scheme.
8. How do I prevent the chocolate from melting? Allow the cookies to cool slightly but still warm when pressing in chocolate. Avoid placing in a hot oven afterward.
9. Can I add sprinkles? Yes, press them onto the cookies while still warm for adhesion.
10. Can I double the recipe? Yes, simply double the ingredients and bake in batches.
Print
Witch Hat Halloween Cookies – Spooky, Fun & Delicious
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake is a swirled delight of comfort and sweetness. Soft cake layers are topped with a cinnamon-sugar crumble and finished with a creamy vanilla glaze—perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 cups flour
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup butter, melted (for topping)
- 1 cup brown sugar (for topping)
- 2 tbsp flour (for topping)
- 1 tbsp cinnamon (for topping)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 5 tbsp milk (for glaze)
- 1 tsp vanilla (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, eggs, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to wet ingredients, alternating with milk, mixing until just combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
- For the topping, mix 1 cup melted butter, brown sugar, 2 tbsp flour, and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the batter.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cake cool slightly. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and drizzle over the warm cake.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the topping.
- Use a hand whisk or electric mixer to make batter smooth but avoid overmixing.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast / Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
Witch Hat Halloween Cookies are a fun, festive, and delicious treat that combines soft, peanut butter cookies with chocolate “hat” tops and vibrant holiday colors. Perfect for parties, classroom treats, or baking with kids, these cookies are simple to make, visually impressive, and packed with flavor. Their soft texture, sweet peanut butter base, and chocolate topping make them a crowd-pleaser, while colorful touches bring a whimsical Halloween flair. Enjoy them fresh, store them for later, or share them with friends for a spooky, tasty treat that will delight all ages.