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Home » Cookies » Halloween Sprinkle Cookies

Halloween Sprinkle Cookies

By Olivia, 24 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full Disclosure Policy for details.
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These easy Halloween Sprinkle Cookies are the perfect addition to your Halloween festivities!

A close up of a cookies

I didn’t intend to do a Halloween recipe this year (mostly due to poor planning on my part with the move and all), but Mother Nature has intervened. My plans for this week were drastically altered due to three massive rainstorms that hit us this week.

Dark and gloomy days do not make for good picture taking weather. So, instead of the pretty cake I was going to make and decorate and shoot later in the week, I had to switch gears and whip up something quick and easy on Monday. Clearly I have not gotten my crap together since the move and have no posts in the backlog. Well, truthfully, I have one, but I’m holding onto it until after Halloween.

So poor planning on my part means you get a Halloween recipe and that my impulse purchase of these Halloween sprinkles would be put to use after all in these Halloween Sprinkle Cookies!

Cookies with fall decor around them

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This isn’t my first time making these Halloween cookies. I actually made them as a base for my Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cups a couple weeks ago and they were SO good (for sure the star of the show there), that I thought they needed to shine on their own.

I’ve since also made a holiday version with these Dark Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies.

Close up of a halloween sprinkle cookie

I kept the cookies plain (without any chocolate chips or other additions) because I wanted the candy coating and sprinkles to stand out.

This was actually my first time working with candy melts. I had shied away from it before, because what exactly ARE they?? Some weird candy coating that was clearly not chocolate. I don’t know why, but I thought they just wouldn’t look or taste as good as actual chocolate.

Overhead shot of the cookies on a wooden table

The thing is, I wanted these super dark chocolate Halloween cookies dipped in white but, as you know, white chocolate is actually a bit more yellow than white, so that just wouldn’t work for me. So off I went to the store to buy these candy melts for the first time.

Cookies on a wooden table.

How to use Candy Melts for Dipping

Another thing that initially turned me off of them was that I had heard they weren’t super easy to work with — that they didn’t melt well or ended up super thick once melted. In true Olivia fashion, I googled the crap out of how to make them work so that I would only have to do it once. I found this video from My Cupcake Addiction and basically did exactly what she did.

I ended up adding a bit more shortening once everything was melted to thin it out a bit more. I also left the heat on low while they were melting and only turned it off once it was at the consistency I wanted.

I left the bowl over the double boiler the whole time I was dipping the cookies (stirring the candy melts once in a while), to help ensure that it stayed thin.

Halloween cookies on a wooden table.

This approach worked perfectly, and I’m really happy with the result!! The candy melts took a bit longer to set than I expected — maybe because I thinned them out — so I would recommend letting them set slightly before topping with the sprinkles.

If you’re vehemently opposed to using candy melts, white chocolate will work just fine, but it will have more of a yellow tint. You can try to neutralize that yellow with some of my tips here.

Cookie broken in half showing the inside.

These Halloween Sprinkle Cookies are honestly some of the best I’ve ever had. They rival my favourite Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and Brownie Cookies.

The chocolate cookie part tastes exactly like an Oreo, but softer and chewier. The white candy coating and the sprinkles add a delicious flavour and crunch. I will be making these again for sure! Probably for every season :).

Looking for more Halloween Recipes?

  • Spiderweb Cake
  • Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake
  • Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cups
  • Pumpkin Spice Latte Bundt Cake
  • Pumpkin Cobbler
Close up of halloween cookies.
Print Pin Rate
5 from 2 votes

Halloween Sprinkle Cookies

These easy Halloween Sprinkle Cookies are the perfect addition to your Halloween festivities!
Course Dessert
Cuisine Cookie
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings 18
Calories 111kcal
Author Olivia

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tbsp Dutch-processed cocoa powder sifted
  • 2 Tbsp black cocoa powder sifted*
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light-brown sugar packed
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 bag Bright White Candy Melts or white chocolate **, melted
  • vegetable shortening as needed
  • Halloween nonpareils
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powders, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugars on med-high until light and fluffy (approx. 2-3mins). Reduce speed and add egg and vanilla. Beat until well combined. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
  • Chill dough for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  • Using a medium cookie scoop, portion dough onto baking sheet (I did 9 cookies per sheet). Bake for approximately 10 mins, or until the middle is set. Cookies will crinkle a bit upon cooling.
  • Cool on pans for 5 mins then transfer to to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Dip in melted candy melts or white chocolate, place on a parchment lined baking sheet and sprinkle with nonpareils. Allow to set.

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Notes

* If you don't have black cocoa, you can substitute Dutch-processed cocoa. The cookies won't be as dark though.
** Read post for details on how to properly melt candy melts.
Calories: 111kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 74mgPotassium: 37mgSugar: 8gVitamin A: 175IUCalcium: 11mgIron: 0.6mg
The nutritional information and metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this important to you, please verify with your favourite nutrition calculator and/or metric conversion tool.
Originally published on October 2016

photo collage

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August 16, 2020

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Linda says

    October 25, 2019 at 6:28 PM

    5 stars
    These cookies are beyond delicious. Very buttery with rich chocolate taste.

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      October 28, 2019 at 9:47 AM

      Hi Linda! So happy you liked them 🙂

      Reply
  2. Katherine says

    October 19, 2018 at 2:52 PM

    Can I freeze the cookies after they are dipped and sprinkled? How do the sprinkles hold up? Does the candy melt coating stay firm after thawing?

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      October 24, 2018 at 9:13 AM

      Hi Katherine! The candy coating should be fine. I worry slightly about the sprinkles bleeding when thawing though, if there is any moisture.

      Reply
      • Cindy says

        October 28, 2018 at 3:35 AM

        I have a similar question and concern. Wondering if the sprinkles will bleed or soften if I make these cookies on a Sunday but they aren’t used/eaten until Wednesday. My son’s teacher asked me to bake six dozen cookies and I am so busy during the week I don’t know that I will have time!

        Reply
        • Olivia says

          October 30, 2018 at 2:45 PM

          Hi Cindy! It might depend on the brand of sprinkles you get, but I think they should be fine as long as they are stored in something airtight. I would not refrigerate/freeze them personally.

          Reply
  3. Saffa says

    November 2, 2017 at 4:56 AM

    Hi Olivia, thank you for posting this Halloween cookie recipe, I love it and bake them each Halloween now 🙂 I just wanted to ask you, can these cookies be frozen in the freezer to save for another day? Any thank, Saffa xx

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      November 5, 2017 at 9:03 AM

      Hi Saffa! Yes, the cookies can be frozen no problem!

      Reply
  4. Jordyn says

    October 7, 2017 at 4:00 PM

    I love this recipe! Im going to feature it in my halloween cookie post!

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      October 8, 2017 at 10:08 AM

      Thanks so much Jordyn!

      Reply
  5. Ashley says

    October 4, 2017 at 4:50 AM

    5 stars
    My husband loves them! They’re delicious–thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      October 4, 2017 at 8:44 AM

      Hi Ashley! So happy to hear that you guys liked these 🙂

      Reply
  6. Melissa Williams | Persnickety Plates says

    October 27, 2016 at 1:30 PM

    haha I’ve never used candy melt for the exact same reason – what ARE they?! haha But I’m thinking I definitely need to make these this weekend.

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      October 27, 2016 at 5:59 PM

      Haha! I know, right? Seriously impressed with how yummy they were. Will be trying again! And I hope you like these!

      Reply
  7. Cathy | whatshouldimakefor.com says

    October 19, 2016 at 7:12 AM

    sometimes nothing beats a sprinkle cookie. i can labor for house on a cake, only to have my boys bypass it and make a beeline for a plate of simple cookies. what a sweet Halloween treat! Love those sprinkles!

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      October 19, 2016 at 11:15 AM

      Haha too funny!! There is something about cookies, right? 🙂

      Reply
  8. heather says

    October 18, 2016 at 8:09 AM

    what a fun Halloween treat, easy enough for Stella to make almost all on her own 🙂

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      October 18, 2016 at 8:28 AM

      Thanks so much Heather! 😀

      Reply
  9. Nancy says

    October 17, 2016 at 12:48 PM

    Those look great!! Where did you find the nonpereils, I like how they aren’t glaringly Halloween!

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      October 17, 2016 at 1:41 PM

      Thanks!! And I know, those colors had me hooked! I got them at Michaels. This is the only link I could find, but have never used this site to order:
      http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/the-gourmet-baking-co-halloween-nonpareils-blend/0000000231455
      I wish I had only paid $3 for them! I think it was more like $11 :o.

      Reply
      • Nancy says

        October 19, 2016 at 7:38 PM

        Thank you!! I ended up getting the Halloween colors, the Autumn mix, rainbow and Christmas!! I was going to be charged $7.95 shipping for one or for all, might as well go big!! The super cute jars didn’t hurt either!

        Reply
        • Olivia says

          October 19, 2016 at 9:30 PM

          Awesome!! 😀 Totally love the jars too 🙂

          Reply
  10. Riz says

    October 16, 2016 at 8:37 PM

    Ah! I love this, they look so cute… yet not so Halloween-specific that they’d look out of place during the rest of the year.

    I’ve been wrestling with whether or not to post a Halloween recipe myself. I have one in mind, but it’s so incredibly bad for people that it actually frightens me to post it! So far I’ve managed to refrain. So far!

    Riz
    Chocolates & Chai

    Reply
    • Olivia says

      October 17, 2016 at 8:34 AM

      Now I’m intrigued! What could be so bad?? 🙂 And thanks!!

      Reply
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