Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe

If you’re ready to whip up a batch of irresistibly fun and festive treats this season, then stick around because this Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe is an absolute game-changer. Imagine soft, chocolatey cookies bursting with colorful candies and topped with playful candy eyeballs that’ll make your Halloween party the talk of the town. I’ve been making these for years, and trust me—they’re as much fun to make as they are to eat!

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Ingredients & Why They Work

This Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe brings together simple pantry staples and festive candies that complement each other perfectly—both flavor-wise and visually. When I shop for these, I always pick a good-quality cocoa powder for that rich chocolate note and hunt down the “Ghoul’s Mix” M&Ms for their spooky, limited-edition look.

• Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for smooth creaming; this gives the cookies a tender crumb and rich flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Helps create that delicate crisp edge while keeping the center soft.
• Large Egg: Acts as the binder, holding all your delicious ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and enhances the chocolatey goodness.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base that gives structure to your cookies without weighing them down.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This packs a deep chocolate flavor, which balances the sweetness from your candies perfectly.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and turn delightfully soft.
• Kosher Salt: A pinch to enhance all the other flavors.
• M&Ms Ghoul’s Mix: The star of the show; colorful candy-coated chocolate pieces that add fun textures and visual appeal.
• Reese’s Pieces: Peanut butter candy gems that add a creamy, sweet contrast.
• Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Melt in your mouth pockets of decadence to satisfy every chocoholic.
• Halloween Sprinkles: For that final festive flair—chromatic and sparkly.
• Candy Eyeballs: The magical finishing touch that transforms cookies from cute to delightfully spooky.

Make It Your Way

One thing I love about this Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe is how easy it is to make your own twist on it. Whether you like your cookies softer or a little more cakey, or prefer swapping out candy for allergens or flavor preferences, this recipe is super flexible.

• Variation: I sometimes swap out half the M&Ms and Reese’s Pieces for chopped nuts or dried cranberries to add a little chew and crunch variety—and it’s delicious.
• Dairy-Free Option: Replace butter with a plant-based margarine, and use dairy-free chocolate chips so everyone at the party can indulge.
• Extra Spooky: Add a few drops of orange or black food coloring to the dough before adding the candies to amp up the Halloween vibes.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. Then, using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar on medium speed. You want it to look light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes. It’s the secret to tender cookies that melt in your mouth.

Step 2: Mix in Egg and Vanilla

Next, add the egg and vanilla extract and mix just until everything’s combined. Be careful not to overmix here since the egg provides structure but can toughen cookies if you go too far.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients Slowly

Lower your mixer speed and add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. Mix just until you get a shaggy dough—don’t worry about every last bit coming together, you’ll finish folding next.

Step 4: Fold in the Candy Goodness

Grab a rubber spatula and gently fold in ½ cup each of M&Ms Ghoul’s Mix, Reese’s Pieces, and semisweet chocolate chips. These candies add the perfect bursts of sweetness and color—try not to squish them too much!

Step 5: Scoop, Roll, and Sprinkle

Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the dough onto prepared pans, spacing them about 2 inches apart. I like to roll each scoop into a ball for a uniform look. Then roll the top half of each ball in Halloween sprinkles—this gives that festive edge and extra crunch. Place them sprinkle-side up and press the remaining M&Ms onto the cookie tops for an extra candy pop.

Step 6: Bake and Add Candy Eyeballs

Bake for 9 to 10 minutes or until the centers are just set but still soft. Once you pull them from the oven, transfer the pan to a cooling rack. While the cookies are still warm, carefully press candy eyeballs onto each one. This step is so much fun to do with kids—and watching the eyeballs “stick” like magic never gets old. Let the cookies cool completely on the pan before moving them.

How to Serve Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe

Garnishes

I personally like to sprinkle a little extra Halloween-themed sprinkles or a few extra candy eyeballs around my serving platter just before guests dig in. It amps up the festive look and adds that final bit of whimsy every Halloween lover craves.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of spiced apple cider, creating a perfect sweet-and-spicy contrast. If you’re serving them at a party, I also love accompanying them with a small platter of Halloween-themed fruit like mandarin orange “pumpkins” with celery “stems.”

Creative Ways to Present

One fun idea I tried was stacking these cookies with parchment paper between and wrapping the stack in cellophane with a bright ribbon to give as gifts. Another time, I set them on a black platter with green edible glitter dusted lightly around the edges for a spooky yet elegant look. Get creative—you’ll be surprised how easy it is to make your Halloween spread pop!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any uneaten Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Make sure the container is sealed tight so the cookies don’t dry out. If you have little ones like me, sometimes these don’t last that long!

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead and freeze, I recommend freezing the cookie dough balls (unsprinkled and without candy eyeballs) on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to bake, just bake from frozen adding a couple of extra minutes to your bake time. I’ve found this method keeps the cookies just as fresh and fun.

Reheating

Leftover cookies can be warmed up at 300°F for about 5 minutes in the oven to get them soft and melty again. Or if you’re in a hurry, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens them nicely, just watch so the candy eyeballs don’t melt!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Making this Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe has been one of my favorite fall traditions. There’s something so joyful about mixing the gooey dough with colorful candies, baking them, and then sticking those silly eyeballs on while the cookies are still warm. It’s a recipe that’s sure to bring smiles around your kitchen and your Halloween party. Give it a try—I promise you’ll love how easy and charming these cookies are!

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