Another easy Halloween Themed Recipe are these Halloween Thumbprint Cookies. This is a homemade chocolate cookie dough recipe rolled into a ball. Once baked, you press a fun "googly eye" to the center of the cookie.
Kids love to help with these cookies because they love to press their thumbs in the center.
There's no better way to celebrate Halloween than with a batch of spooky chocolate thumbprint cookies. These festive treats are made by pressing an indentation into the center of each cookie, then filling it with your favorite candy.
For an extra touch of Halloween spirit, decorate the cookies with candy eyes. Whether you're hosting a Halloween party or simply looking for a fun dessert to make with your family, these chocolate thumbprint cookies are sure to be a hit.
Table of Contents
This easy cookie recipe is a variation on the traditional peanut butter blossom thumbprint cookie. Only we're using fun candy eyes because it's Halloween.
Check out my shopping list below so you can easily order the candy eyes online from Amazon used for these Halloween thumbprint cookies. But you could also fill the centers with candy corn, sprinkles or chocolate chips.
Halloween Baking Ideas
You're going to love them because they are so easy and the kids will love to help you...especially with putting the "scary' eyes into the cookies. Check out a full collection of Halloween Themed Desserts for more ideas!
Printable Halloween Gift Tags
I have cute Halloween Gift Tags available for you to use as well. These will really make the kid's packages look great! There are two different sets to choose from, Classic Halloween Tags and Cute Monster Halloween Tags.
Or if you wanted, you could check out the set of tags and printable gift bags.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
This is an overview of the ingredients and instructions. Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact quantities, detailed instructions and special notes.
- Butter; softened
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar; packed
- 2 eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Baking soda
- White candy melts
- Green candy melts
- Orange candy melts
- Purple candy melts
- Large red vein candy eyes
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1: Add the butter and both sugars to a medium mixing bowl. With an electric mixer, cream together until smooth and creamy.Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until incorporated
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Whisk until combined.
- Step 3: Add half of the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and stir until just combined. Add the remaining half and stir until all of the ingredients are wet.
- Step 4: The batter will be thick and sticky. It can be quite difficult to roll into balls while the dough is warm.
- Step 5: Cover and chill for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Step 6: Once chilled, remove from refrigerator. With greased hands, shape the cookie dough into 1 inch balls. (You can spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray.)
- Step 7: Place the dough balls on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Baking Instructions
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven.
- Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 2-3 minutes.
Make the Thumbprint
- As soon as you remove the tray from the oven, use a small melon scoop and, press an indentation into the middle of each Halloween thumbprint cookie.
- Place a candy melt into each thumbprint. It will start melting right away.
- Then place a candy eye on top of the colored candy melt.
Before You Begin!
If you make this recipe, please leave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.
Substitutions and Variations
- You could use a chocolate cake mix if you didn't want to make a homemade cookie recipe.
- Try my other recipe for Monster Eye Cookies that uses a vanilla cake mix.
More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
📖 Recipe Card
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Walking on Sunshine Recipes.
Halloween Thumbprint Cookies with Scary Googly Eyes
Ingredients
- ½ cup 1 stick butter; softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar; packed
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- Wilton bright white candy melts
- Wilton vibrant green candy melts
- Wilton orange candy melts
- Wilton purple candy melts
- Wilton large red vein candy eyes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add the butter and both sugars to a medium mixing bowl. With an electric mixer, cream together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until incorporated
- In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Whisk until combined.
- Add half of the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and stir until just combined. Add the remaining half and stir until all of the ingredients are wet. The batter will be thick and sticky.
- Cover and chill for 15 minutes.
- Once chilled, remove from refrigerator. With greased hands, shape the cookie dough into 1 inch balls and place on the lined cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes (depending on oven temperatures). Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 2-3 minutes.
- Using a small melon scoop or your thumb, press an indentation into the middle of each cookie.
- While the cookies are still warm, place a candy melt into each thumbprint. It will start melting right away. Place a candy eye on top.
- Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to completely cool before serving.
Nutrition
This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2017 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Jenny says
Pinning for Halloween! My kids would love these cookies, what a cute and fun idea. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.
Lois says
Thank you for visiting! Love joining your parties every week.
online dissertation writing service says
Woah, even these cookies look scary just like people who dressed up for Halloween lol. Such a wonderful post with so yummy recipe. Can't wait to make them.