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There’s something magical about Halloween treats that bring out both the spooky and the fun! These Halloween Monster Eye Crinkle Cookies are an absolute must-try for your next Halloween party. Made with a simple cake mix, they’re quick, easy, and totally delicious. The best part? Those adorable (and creepy) monster eyes! Your little monsters will love them, and they’ll disappear fast, so make sure to bake plenty!
If you’re looking for more Halloween-inspired desserts, check out this Halloween Sugar Cookie Cake for a festive cookie-cake combo or these Chocolate Chip Halloween Cookies for something chocolaty and chewy.
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Why You’ll Love These Halloween Monster Eye Crinkle Cookies
These cookies check all the boxes for a spooky treat:
- Easy and Quick: Using a cake mix as the base makes these cookies a breeze to prepare. In just under 20 minutes, you’ll have a batch of these colorful crinkle cookies ready to go!
- Festive Colors: By using vibrant gel food coloring, you can make the cookies in classic Halloween shades of orange, black, and purple.
- Perfect for Parties: Not only do these cookies taste great, but they also add an eye-catching (pun intended!) element to your Halloween dessert table.
Whether you’re baking them for a Halloween party, a family gathering, or just because you love Halloween, these monster eye cookies are sure to impress!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 Box vanilla cake mix (I used Betty Crocker)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- Gel food coloring (in orange, black, and purple)
- Sprinkles and candy monster eyes
- 2 cups icing sugar (for rolling and dusting)
How to Make Halloween Monster Eye Crinkle Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl or mixer, combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and your desired gel food coloring. Mix until fully combined and the dough takes on the vibrant colors of your choice.
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Step 2: Chill the Dough
Once the dough is mixed, pop it in the fridge for about 15 minutes. This helps firm up the dough, making it easier to roll into balls.
Step 3: Roll the Dough
After chilling, roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls. Next, roll each ball generously in icing sugar until fully coated. This step gives the cookies their signature crinkle look as they bake.
Step 4: Add the Monster Eyes
Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently press a few candy monster eyes into the center of each ball—this is where the magic (and spookiness) happens! If you’d like, you can also add a sprinkle of Halloween-themed sprinkles for extra fun.
Step 5: Freeze and Bake
To help maintain their shape, place the baking sheet in the freezer for another 10–15 minutes. Once chilled, bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the tops are set and slightly crinkled, but the centers are still soft.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, they’re ready to enjoy!
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Tips for Success
- Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring is ideal for this recipe because it provides vibrant, concentrated color without thinning out the dough. If you use liquid food coloring, you may need to adjust the recipe slightly.
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! This ensures your cookies will keep their shape and helps create that perfect crinkle effect when baking.
- Storage: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or you can freeze them for up to a month. Just make sure to thaw them at room temperature before serving.
What to Serve with Halloween Monster Eye Crinkle Cookies
These cookies are fantastic on their own, but if you’re planning a full Halloween spread, they pair wonderfully with other spooky treats. Serve them alongside these Easy Brownie Mix Halloween Monster Cookies for a monstrously good combo or with a festive punch for an extra touch of Halloween fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough a day in advance and keep it chilled in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Just be sure to roll the dough in icing sugar and add the monster eyes right before baking.
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! While I used vanilla for a classic cookie flavor, feel free to experiment with other cake mixes like chocolate or even red velvet to give your cookies a unique twist.
Can I substitute the monster eyes?
If you can’t find candy monster eyes, you can get creative by using chocolate chips, M&Ms, or even small pieces of marshmallow for an equally fun look.
Nutrition Information
Each cookie has approximately:
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Sugar: 23g
Conclusion
There you have it! A spooky, fun, and easy Halloween cookie recipe that is sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re baking for a party, for your kids, or just because you love Halloween, these Halloween Monster Eye Crinkle Cookies are the perfect choice.
If you give them a try, don’t forget to snap a picture and share it with us on Pinterest at EMMARECIPES18! We’d love to see your spooky creations.
Looking for more delicious Halloween treats? Be sure to check out our other festive recipes, like this Halloween Sugar Cookie Cake or these Chocolate Chip Halloween Cookies.
And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get quick, easy, and delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox! Happy baking and have a spook-tacular Halloween!
Halloween Monster Eye Crinkle Cookies
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Halloween Monster Eye Crinkle Cookies are the perfect spooky treat for your Halloween festivities! Made with a simple vanilla cake mix, vibrant gel food coloring, and topped with candy monster eyes, these cookies are not only fun to make but also super quick and easy. Soft, chewy, and full of Halloween spirit, they’re sure to be a hit at any party. Make these in under 20 minutes and watch them disappear faster than a ghost!
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla cake mix (I used Betty Crocker)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- Gel food coloring (in orange, black, and purple)
- 2 cups icing sugar (for rolling and dusting)
- Candy monster eyes
- Halloween-themed sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and gel food coloring. Stir until the dough is evenly colored.
- Chill the dough in the fridge for 15 minutes.
- Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls. Coat each ball thoroughly in icing sugar.
- Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and gently press candy monster eyes into the center of each one.
- Freeze the cookie dough balls for 10–15 minutes to help them hold their shape while baking.
- Bake for 6–8 minutes, or until the tops are crinkled and the centers are set.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve and enjoy your spooky creations!
Notes
- Gel food coloring is recommended for vibrant colors without thinning the dough.
- Chill the dough to make it easier to work with and help the cookies hold their shape.
- These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze them for up to a month.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 186mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 16mg