Name: Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 stick unsalted butter (8 tablespoons) at room temperature; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons M&Ms Ghoul’s Mix; ½ cup Reese’s Pieces; ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips; ⅓ cup Halloween sprinkles; 2 tablespoons candy eyeballs

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 25 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a Halloween treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’re going to adore this Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe. These deliciously soft cocoa cookies studded with colorful candy gems and topped with spooky candy eyeballs are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face — plus they’re surprisingly easy! Stick around, because I’m sharing all my little kitchen secrets so you can nail these festive favorites with ease.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Balance of Chocolate & Crunch: Cocoa powder creates a rich base cookie, while M&Ms and Reese’s Pieces add that colorful crunch and bursts of flavor.
Festive Fun with Candy Eyeballs: The candy eyeballs give them that cute-spooky vibe perfect for Halloween parties and trick-or-treaters.
Soft Yet Slightly Chewy Texture: Baking just until the centers set keeps the cookies tender without being cakey or dry.
Easy & Approachable: You don’t need fancy tools or ingredients, which makes this an enjoyable bake even for beginner cookie makers.

A white coffin-shaped plate with a wooden rim holds around fourteen round dark chocolate cookies. Each cookie is decorated with colorful candy pieces in orange, yellow, green, purple, brown, and red, along with small white candy eyes and various Halloween-themed sprinkles in orange, purple, black, white, and green. Some candies also fall onto the plate. The plate sits on a black cloth with white skeleton prints. Nearby, two small bowls—one filled with colorful candy pieces and the other with Halloween sprinkles—are placed on the same black skeleton cloth. On the right side, a white skeletal hand holds one decorated cookie. The surface beneath is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

I love how each ingredient in this Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe plays a role — from the creamy butter that keeps things rich to the sprinkles that boost the festive mood. Grab good-quality items where you can, and don’t stress about super fancy versions. The magic really happens when all these goodies come together!

Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter creams beautifully with sugar, giving you that soft, tender crumb you want.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the chewy texture when combined with butter.
Large egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.
Vanilla extract: A small splash amplifies the flavor and makes those chocolate notes pop.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cookie structure — don’t swap it out unless you have a great gluten-free alternative.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Provides rich chocolate flavor and gives the cookies that beautiful dark hue.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft texture.
Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
M&Ms Ghoul’s Mix: These colorful candies add crunch and that signature fun Halloween vibe.
Reese’s Pieces: I love how these add bursts of peanut buttery sweetness mixed with a soft crunch.
Semisweet chocolate chips: Extra melty pockets that make every bite a delight.
Halloween sprinkles: Roll the dough in these for an adorable pop of festive color before baking.
Candy eyeballs: The cherry on top! Press them on warm cookies for that perfect spooky-but-cute look.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I’m all about making this Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe your own. Whether you like your cookies a little thicker, more chocolatey, or allergen-friendly, a few tweaks can totally customize it to your vibe.

Nut-free Variation: Swap out Reese’s Pieces for more M&Ms or substitute with allergy-friendly candy to keep everyone safe and happy.
Extra Gooey Chocolate: I once added chunks of dark chocolate instead of chips—it made the center insanely melty and dreamy.
Sprinkles Swap: Try themed sprinkles for other occasions! I use pastel ones for Easter and peppermint ones at Christmas.
Make It Gluten-Free: If you’re adventurous, use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend—just watch texture as some blends absorb moisture differently.

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 two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. In your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes. You want the mixture pale and fluffy—this is the secret to tender cookies with the perfect crumb.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, add your egg and vanilla extract and mix just until combined. Don’t overdo this part—you’re just incorporating these ingredients, not making a batter for a cake!

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix Gently

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. Add this dry mix to your wet ingredients on low speed. Mix until you get a shaggy dough—don’t overmix or the cookies could come out tough.

Step 4: Fold in the Candy Mix-Ins

Grab a rubber spatula and gently fold in half a cup of M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and semisweet chocolate chips. You want these candies evenly scattered, but no need to overwork the dough.

Step 5: Shape Dough Balls and Add Sprinkles

Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion dough balls onto your parchment-lined pans about 2 inches apart. Roll each ball in your hands, then roll the top half in Halloween sprinkles and set sprinkle-side up on the pan. Press the remaining 2 tablespoons of M&Ms on top for extra color and snackability.

Step 6: Bake and Add Candy Eyeballs

Bake your cookies for 9 to 10 minutes until the centers just set but still soft. This part is key — don’t overbake! Right after removing the pan from the oven, press the candy eyeballs onto the cookies while they are still warm so they stick perfectly.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let your cookies cool completely on the pan before moving them — this helps them firm up without losing any of that irresistible softness. Then, bite into pure Halloween happiness!

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Pro Tips for Making Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe

Room Temp Butter Is Key: Using butter that’s too cold can result in lumpy dough and dense cookies — I always let mine soften on the counter for at least an hour.
Don’t Overbake: Trust me, cookies keep baking a bit on the hot pan after you pull them out. Remove them when centers look just set for soft, chewy results.
Fold Candies Gently: The last thing you want is broken M&Ms. Fold them in carefully to keep the colors and shapes intact for that Instagram-worthy look.
Press Eyeballs While Warm: Pressing candy eyeballs onto hot cookies ensures they stick without rolling off, giving your final cookies that perfect spooky charm.

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

A stack of three dark chocolate cookies is leaning on a clear glass filled with white milk, with bright red syrup dripping down the side of the glass. The cookies are topped with colorful candy pieces in orange, yellow, green, purple, white, and pink sprinkles, giving a lively look. A white skeleton woman's hand holds the bottom cookie while more cookies and colorful candies are scattered around on a dark surface. The background is dark with soft orange lights blurred out, and the whole scene is on a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love adding a light dusting of powdered sugar for a hint of sweetness and a “spooky” misty look, but honestly, these cookies hold all the festive flair you need with the candy eyeballs and sprinkles. You could also add tiny edible glitter for an extra glow at parties!

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a simple glass of cold milk or hot cocoa for dipping — the classic combo makes the candy flavors pop. For adult gatherings, try serving alongside a fun pumpkin spice latte or even a spiced cocktail to keep the Halloween spirit alive.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween parties, I like arranging these cookies on a black platter lined with orange tissue paper and scatter mini plastic spiders for the creepy effect. Another fun idea is to package a few cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with Halloween-themed ribbon — perfect for sharing or party favors!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover Halloween cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I like to place parchment or wax paper between layers to keep candies from sticking and sprinkles intact.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead, you can freeze the unbaked dough balls on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen — just add a minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies also freeze well for up to 2 months; just thaw at room temp before enjoying.

Reheating

To revive the fresh-baked feeling, pop cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm them briefly in a 300°F oven. This brings out the melty chocolate and restores softness without drying them out.

FAQs

Can I substitute the M&Ms and Reese’s Pieces for other candies?

Absolutely! You can swap with any small, colorful candies or even mix in chopped nuts if you prefer. Just be careful with candy that melts easily, as it can change the cookie texture during baking.
What’s the best way to keep candy eyeballs from sliding off?

Press the candy eyeballs onto the cookies immediately after baking while the cookies are still warm. The residual heat helps them stick without falling off once cooled.
Can I make these cookies dairy-free or vegan?

With some ingredient swaps like vegan butter and egg replacers, you can experiment, but be aware the texture will vary. Also check your candy mix-ins for dairy or animal products before substituting.
Why do my cookies sometimes turn out dry?

Overbaking is often the culprit. Pull the cookies from the oven when centers are just set but still soft — they’ll continue cooking slightly on the hot pan.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Halloween Cookies with M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, and Candy Eyeballs Recipe holds a special place in my heart. It’s the kind of recipe that’s easy enough for a cozy afternoon bake but festive enough to wow guests or neighborhood trick-or-treaters. Once you try it, I’m pretty sure it’ll become your go-to for Halloween cookie trays — it always draws a crowd at mine! So, tie on your apron, get those candy eyeballs ready, and I promise you’ll love every bite and every moment of the baking journey.