Spooky Delight: How to Make NY-Style Chocolate Fall/Halloween Cookies

Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with some deliciously spooky treats? These NY-style chocolate Halloween cookies are easy to make and packed with rich chocolate flavor and festive colors. Whether for parties, trick-or-treaters, or just a cozy night in, these cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Let’s dive into the recipe and get baking!

Freshly baked chocolate Halloween cookies with M&Ms

The Perfect Ingredients for Spooky Cookies

To whip up these delightful cookies, gather the following ingredients:

• Butter: 1 cup (226 g) of cold, unsalted butter, cubed

• Sugars: ¾ cup (150 g) packed brown sugar, plus ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar

• Eggs: 2 large, cold eggs

• Flours: 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour and 1 cup (120 g) cake flour (all-purpose works, too)

• Cocoa Powder: ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder

• Leavening Agents: 1 tsp baking powder and ½ tsp baking soda

• Salt: ¾ tsp salt

• Chocolate: 1 ½ cups (255 g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips/chunks

• M&Ms: 1 cup Halloween-themed M&Ms (consider mini versions for a twist)

• Optional Mix-ins: ½–1 cup of crushed Oreos, pretzel bits, or chopped peanut butter cups for added flavor. Or add edible googly eyes with purple and green sprinkles for more of a Halloween look.

  
  

These ingredients come together to create cookies that are delicious and eye-catching, thanks to the vibrant M&Ms.

Mixing It Up: The Cookie Dough Process

With your ingredients ready, it’s time to mix! Follow these steps to create your cookie dough:

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 410°F (210°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

   
   

2. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream together the cold, cubed butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy.

   
   

3. Add the Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined. Avoid overbeating to maintain that fluffy texture.

   
   

4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the dry ingredients.

   
   

5. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mix to the wet blend. Use low speed until mostly combined to create a thick, dense dough.

   
   

6. Fold in the Goodies: With a spatula or on low speed, fold in the chocolate chips, M&Ms, and any optional mix-ins you chose.

   
   

This is where your cookies start to come to life! The combination of rich chocolate and colorful candies makes them irresistible.

Shaping and Chilling the Dough

With your dough ready, it's time to shape the cookies:

1. Scoop the Dough: Use a large cookie scoop (about ¼ cup or 4 oz each) to drop dough on your prepared baking sheets. Aim for cookie mountains, not flat discs.

   
   

2. Chill (Optional): For best results, chill the dough for 30–60 minutes. This step helps the cookies retain their shape and enhances the flavor.

   
   

Chilling the dough is an effective way to ensure your cookies come out thick and chewy.

Baking to Perfection

The moment you've been waiting for—baking your cookies!

1. Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The tops should look just set, while the centers stay soft.

   
   

2. Cool: After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes. They will continue to firm up as they cool, resulting in a perfect chewy texture.

   
   

The delightful aroma of chocolate cookies wafting through your kitchen will surely get everyone in the Halloween spirit!

Plate of chocolate Halloween cookies ready to be served

Enjoying Your Spooky Treats

Once cooled, it’s time to dig in! These NY-style chocolate Halloween cookies are perfect for sharing at gatherings or for indulging solo.

Serve them at your Halloween party, pack them in lunchboxes, or enjoy them with a glass of milk while watching your favorite spooky movie. The blend of rich chocolate and festive M&Ms makes these cookies a delightful treat for everyone, young and old.

A Halloween Tradition Awaits

Baking these NY-style chocolate Halloween cookies can grow into a cherished tradition in your household. They not only taste amazing but also capture the fun spirit of Halloween.

So, gather your ingredients, invite some friends over, and prepare to create spooky delights everyone will rave about. Happy baking, and may your Halloween be filled with sweet treats and festive fun!

What are you waiting for? Get in the kitchen and start baking these delicious cookies today!