Hocus Pocus themed Halloween cookies decorated for a festive celebration

Why Make This Recipe

Hocus Pocus Halloween Cookies are the perfect way to celebrate this spooky season. Not only do they look festive with their vibrant colors, but they also taste amazing. These cookies are soft, chewy, and filled with gooey frosting that kids and adults will love. Plus, they’re fun to make, especially if you have little helpers around. Who wouldn’t want to bake a treat that adds some magic to Halloween festivities?

How to Make Hocus Pocus Halloween Cookies

Making Hocus Pocus Halloween Cookies is straightforward, and you’ll enjoy every step. Here’s what you need to do:

Ingredients

1 cup sweet cream unsalted butter (room temperature)
¾ cup granulated sugar
⅔ cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2¼ cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
16 ounces white frosting (store-bought or homemade)
5 drops neon green gel food coloring
1 cup M&M candies (orange, green, and purple)

Directions

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This helps mix everything evenly.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one by one, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract at this point.
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix!
Gently fold in half of the M&M’s. This will give your cookies a delicious chocolate crunch.
Roll the dough into balls, about 2 tablespoons each, and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Press the remaining M&M’s on top of each cookie.
Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes. The edges should be set, but the centers should stay soft.
Once baked, cool the cookies on a wire rack.
While the cookies are cooling, microwave the frosting for about 15 seconds to make it easier to work with. Stir in the neon green food coloring until you get a nice bright color.
Once the cookies are cool, inject or spoon the green frosting into the centers of the cookies for a gooey, delicious filling.

How to Serve Hocus Pocus Halloween Cookies

Serve these spooky cookies on a fun Halloween-themed platter. You can even make a little display with fake spider webs, plastic spiders, or small pumpkins to make your treat table extra festive. These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk or some warm apple cider.

How to Store Hocus Pocus Halloween Cookies

To store these cookies, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for about 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature.

Tips to Make Hocus Pocus Halloween Cookies

Make sure your butter is at room temperature. This helps it cream properly with the sugars.
For even soft cookies, do not overbake. It’s okay if they’re slightly underdone in the centers. They will continue to bake a bit as they cool.
Feel free to add some chopped nuts, sprinkles, or other candies to the dough for extra fun and flavor!

Variation

You can change the colors of the frosting or the M&M’s to suit any holiday or occasion. For example, use red and green candies for Christmas or pink and white for a Valentine’s Day treat.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of frosting?
Yes, you can use any flavor of frosting you enjoy. Chocolate frosting or cream cheese frosting would also taste great.

2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking.

3. How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should be firm and set, while the centers will still appear soft and slightly underbaked. They will continue to firm up while they cool.

Conclusion

Making Hocus Pocus Halloween Cookies is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. With their soft texture and colorful look, they make a delightful treat for any Halloween gathering. You’ll impress your friends and family with your baking skills, and most importantly, you’ll have fun creating these spooky sweets. So gather your ingredients and get ready to whip up a batch of these magical cookies! Happy baking!