Spooky Treats That Will Elevate Your Next Halloween Movie Night

seasidelivingco
Oct 1
3 min read

October brings all things spooky—movies, decorations and, of course, baked goods. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, no matter your spooky tolerance. One thing we always look forward to is a cozy movie night with blankets, candles, salty popcorn and a Halloween film on the screen. If you’re a scaredy-cat like me, you might swap the suspense for something lighthearted and festive instead.

No matter your scare level, there’s always something you can do to turn a good night into a memorable one. This Halloween season, level up your movie night by whipping up a few spooky treats like Spider Cupcakes and Skeleton Thumbprint Cookies.

You can prep them ahead of time to surprise your guests, or turn baking into part of the fun by setting out the ingredients and making them together while the movie plays in the background. (Side note: The Spider Cupcakes can take up to two hours to make—but they’re worth it. Bake the cupcakes ahead of time and frost them with your guests.)

🕷️ Spider Cupcakes

What you’ll need:

For the cupcakes:

2 cups granulated sugar
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon each of baking powder, baking soda and salt
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup milk
½ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup boiling water

For the cream cheese frosting:

⅔ cup unsalted butter, softened
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
⅛ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar

For decorating:

1 ⅓ cups chocolate chips
24 Oreos (Halloween edition recommended)
48 candy eyes

🧁 How to Make Spider Cupcakes

1. Prepare the cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 350°F and line two cupcake pans. This recipe makes about 24 cupcakes.
In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients: sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder.
Add eggs, milk and oil to the dry mixture. Mix until well combined.
Stir in the boiling water carefully—it will thin the batter.
Fill cupcake liners slightly more than halfway.
Bake for 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let cupcakes cool for at least 1 hour before frosting.

2. Make the frosting:

In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
Mix in the salt and vanilla.
Add powdered sugar gradually, ½ cup at a time. Once incorporated, beat for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fluffy.

3. Decorate your cupcakes:

Frost the cooled cupcakes using a few tablespoons of frosting each. Save a small amount for attaching the candy eyes.
Place one Oreo (whole or separated, your choice) on each cupcake.
Melt chocolate chips in the microwave or on the stove, then transfer to a piping bag.
Pipe eight legs around the Oreo.
Use small dots of frosting to attach two candy eyes to each Oreo.

💀 Skeleton Thumbprint Cookies

What you’ll need:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
⅔ cup blackberry jam (or jam of your choice)
½ cup chocolate chips

🍪 How to Make Skeleton Thumbprint Cookies

1. Prep the dough:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla until well combined.
Reduce speed to low (or switch to a spatula) and stir in the flour and salt.

2. Shape the cookies:

Place a few tablespoons of sugar in a small bowl.
Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball.
Roll the dough ball in sugar, slightly flatten it, and make two indentations with your thumb or the back of a spoon to form the eyes.
Place on the baking sheet. Repeat until all dough is used.

3. Add jam and chill: