Perfect for October gatherings, these Witch Hat Cookies combine classic peanut butter flavor with playful decorations to make the cutest Halloween treats.
Why You’ll Love Them
- Homemade goodness — Crunchy on the edges, soft and chewy inside, with all the flavor of peanut butter.
- Customizable fun — Use any color or type of sprinkles, or change up the chocolate tip.
- Great for parties — Festive, eye-catching, and always a hit with kids and adults alike.
Table of Contents
Ingredients (makes about 33 cookies)
- 1½ cups all‑purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- A pinch (~⅛ teaspoon) fine sea salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple gel food coloring
- Halloween sprinkles or purple sanding sugar
- 33 Hershey’s Kisses (or Hugs), unwrapped
Method
- Prep dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the base: In a mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, then peanut butter and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Combine & color: Gradually stir in your dry mix. Then, add the purple food gel a drop or two at first, blend, and add more until you’re happy with the color.
- Chill the dough: Scoop dough into 1‑tablespoon balls. Place on a tray, up to 2″ apart. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight if you can).
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (≈175°C). Roll dough balls in sprinkles or sanding sugar, place on lined baking sheets. Bake 9‑11 minutes, until they puff and crack slightly.
- Add finishing touch: Let them cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes. Then gently press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. To help the chocolate set without melting, you can pop the tray into the freezer for ~10 minutes.
Tips & Tricks
- Use gel food coloring, not liquid — it won’t change your dough’s consistency.
- Don’t skip the chilling step; it helps keep the cookies from spreading too much.
- For measuring more precisely, use a kitchen scale for the dry ingredients.
Variations to Try
- Change the color: black, green, orange — anything spooky or fun.
- Fold in chocolate or white‑chocolate chips for extra texture.
- Try different types of “tips” — colored kisses, flavored ones, etc.
Storage & Serving
- Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature; they stay fresh up to 5 days.
- If you want to make ahead, you can chill the dough overnight.
- Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months.
Serve with other Halloween treats or a scoop of ice cream for a festive dessert.