Looking for a Halloween baking idea the kids can really get stuck into? This is one of our favourites — Easy Malteser Spider Halloween Cookies, created by Irish Baking Adventures. They bake in just 15 minutes, and the decorating step is perfect for little hands, so even your youngest bakers can join in.
Ingredients
- 230g self-raising flour
- 115g butter
- 1 egg
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- Half tsp vanilla extract or zest of 1 lemon
- 115g caster sugar
- 1 packet Maltesers
- 1 packet chocolate chips
- White fondant for eyes
Method
1. 
Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Sift the flour into a bowl, add the butter and mix until it looks like breadcrumbs.
3. Add the sugar.
4. Add the beaten egg, 1 tbsp milk and vanilla to make a dough. (You may not need all the milk — just enough to make a stiff dough. Add a teaspoon more flour if the dough feels too wet.)
5. Roll the dough and break it into small balls.
6. Place the balls on a baking tray, spaced apart, and press your thumbprint into the middle of each one.
7. Bake for 15 minutes at 180°C.
8. When the cookies are cold, melt the chocolate chips and place in an icing bag.
9. Put a Malteser in the middle of each cooled cookie (a little melted chocolate helps stick it in place).
10. Use the melted chocolate to pipe legs around each cookie, then roll tiny bits of white fondant for eyes. A food pen works well for the pupils, or you can press in a tiny piece of raisin instead. This is the step where small helping hands really shine!
About the Author
Mum of four Karyn Ryan is passionate about baking, and especially about getting kids into the kitchen. She loves simple, tasty bakes that everyone can try, even those who don’t consider themselves bakers. A winner of several baking competitions — including Easy Food Magazine’s Home Cook Hero — and a contestant on RTÉ’s Taste of Success, Karyn’s son Andrew is also a prize-winning young cook. You can follow Karyn on her Irish Baking Adventures blog and social channels for more family-friendly baking ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different sweet instead of Maltesers?
Yes — any round chocolate sweet of a similar size will work for the spider’s body. Just make sure it’s sturdy enough to sit on top of the cookie.
Can kids help with the whole recipe, not just the decorating?
Younger children are best suited to the decorating stage, but older kids can help with measuring ingredients, mixing the dough and rolling it into balls with supervision around the oven.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be made in advance and kept covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake and decorate.
What if I don’t have fondant for the eyes?
You can pipe small dots of white chocolate or icing instead and add a dot of dark chocolate or a tiny piece of raisin for the pupil.
You May Also Like
- 11 Easy Halloween Cookies for Kids
- Hauntingly Good Halloween Party Food Ideas for Kids
- How to Make Halloween Cake Pops
Save This for Later
Loved this bake? Save this page or browse our other Halloween treat ideas for more spooky, kid-friendly recipes to try this season.
Don’t Miss Out
Want more easy recipes, activity ideas and family fun delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free MyKidsTime newsletter for weekly inspiration.
