Name: Easy Halloween Cookies with M&Ms and Candy Eyes Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 2 h 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional); ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup (170 g or 1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled; 1 cup (200 g) packed light brown sugar; ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 egg yolk, room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1 cup Halloween M&M’s (or regular M&M’s with blue and red colors picked out); ¼ cup Halloween sprinkles with candy eyes

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 13 reviews

If you’re looking to add a festive and fun twist to your Halloween baking this year, you’re going to love this Easy Halloween Cookies with M&Ms and Candy Eyes Recipe. These cookies are not only adorable with those googly candy eyes staring back at you but also irresistibly chewy, colorful, and packed with sweet little surprises in every bite. I remember making these with my niece last Halloween — she was so excited to place the candy eyes on each cookie, and honestly, it made the whole baking process feel like such a cozy, joyful moment. Keep reading because I’ll walk you through every step, with tips to make sure your cookies come out perfect every time!

💙

Why This Recipe Works

Fun & Festive: The candy eyes and M&Ms add that perfect spooky and colorful Halloween vibe that kids and adults both adore.
Chewy Texture: Using melted butter and a mix of brown and granulated sugars creates cookies that are soft on the inside with just the right crisp edges.
Easy to Customize: You can switch up the candy colors or add sprinkles to match your Halloween theme perfectly.
Chill Time Boosts Flavor: Letting the dough chill makes the cookies taste richer and reduces spreading during baking for perfect shapes.

A tall stack of soft cookies sits in the middle of a white plate on a white marbled surface, each cookie covered with colorful candy pieces and sprinkles. The cookies are light brown with a slightly chewy texture, decorated with bright orange, green, purple, yellow, black, and white sprinkles, including small candy eyeballs that add a playful look. The stack has about ten cookies, with more cookies scattered around the base, showing their flat, round shapes and colorful toppings clearly. Some sprinkles and candy pieces lie loosely on the white marbled surface near the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Easy Halloween Cookies with M&Ms and Candy Eyes Recipe are simple pantry staples that combine to make a cookie dough that’s buttery, sweet, and packed with fun. I find using melted butter helps keep these cookies slightly chewy, and the combo of brown and white sugar balances moisture and sweetness just right.

All-purpose flour: The base for structure, it gives your cookies their classic texture.
Cornstarch: Optional but I love it for adding a tender, soft bite.
Baking soda: Provides gentle leavening; just enough so cookies don’t get too puffy.
Salt: Enhances and balances the sweetness.
Unsalted butter: Melted and cooled to bring moistness and chewiness while controlling spreading.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
Granulated sugar: For a touch of crispness on the edges.
Egg and egg yolk: Eggs bind everything and yolk adds richness and tenderness.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth of flavor.
Halloween M&M’s: The star of the show—you can find themed ones or just pick out blues and reds from a regular bag.
Halloween sprinkles with candy eyes: These add the playful, spooky character that makes these cookies a total hit.

📝

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 like that this Easy Halloween Cookies with M&Ms and Candy Eyes Recipe is so easy to personalize, which makes it even more fun to bake with family or friends. You can play around with the mix-ins or even swap the candy eyes for other festive toppers.

Variation: Once, I swapped the Halloween sprinkles for mini chocolate chips and used pumpkin spice M&Ms I found online—the cookies still came out amazing and had a cozy seasonal twist.
Dietary mods: Try a gluten-free flour blend or use dairy-free butter for allergy-friendly treats.
Extra flavor: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg into the dry mix can give your cookies an extra seasonal warmth.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Halloween Cookies with M&Ms and Candy Eyes Recipe

Step 1: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

Start by mixing the flour, cornstarch (if using), baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. I always sift these together or whisk thoroughly—this helps avoid clumps and spreads the leavening evenly for even baking.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

In your mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the melted and slightly cooled butter with brown and granulated sugars on medium speed. This takes about 4 minutes and don’t skip scraping the bowl a few times. This step is key to getting those soft, tender cookies.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add the whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Beat for about 20-30 seconds until everything’s blended but avoid overmixing here, or you risk tough cookies.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined—there’s no need to overdo it. Then, using a spatula or wooden spoon, fold in the Halloween M&M’s and sprinkles gently to keep them intact.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least two hours (overnight is even better). This step is crucial for flavor development and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much.

Step 6: Bake Them Just Right

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a medium cookie scoop to drop heaping tablespoons of dough about 2 inches apart. Bake for around 12 minutes, until edges turn golden and the tops look set but still soft.

Step 7: Add Candy Eyes While Warm

The fun part: while the cookies are still warm on the baking sheet, press a couple of candy eyes and a few extra M&M’s on top for that festive look. Let them cool there for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

💡

Pro Tips for Making Easy Halloween Cookies with M&Ms and Candy Eyes Recipe

Don’t Skip Chilling: Refrigeration helps keep the dough firm and concentrate flavors, so don’t rush this step even if you’re eager to bake.
Use Room Temperature Eggs: This helps everything blend more smoothly without overmixing, which leads to tender cookies.
Gentle Folding: Stir in your M&Ms and sprinkles by hand to prevent broken candies and uneven distribution.
Add Candy Eyes Warm: Attach the candy eyes right out of the oven so they stick perfectly without melting or losing shape.

How to Serve Easy Halloween Cookies with M&Ms and Candy Eyes Recipe

A close-up view of several round cookies layered closely on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface, each cookie is light brown with a slightly rough texture. They are decorated with colorful sprinkles in black, orange, yellow, purple, and white small shapes scattered across the surface. Each cookie also features candy pieces that look like eyes in white with black pupils and colorful round candy, mainly yellow, orange, red, and purple, adding bright pops of color. The cookies overlap each other, filling almost all the plate visible in the image photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with extra candy eyes and a handful of colorful Halloween sprinkles before serving—it turns simple cookies into festive showstoppers that practically invite you to dig in (and yes, everyone will want seconds!). Sometimes a drizzle of white chocolate over the cooled cookies adds a spooky yet elegant touch.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with a cold glass of milk or a warm mug of spiced hot chocolate. For a fun party spread, I like serving them alongside caramel popcorn and a bowl of candy corn to keep the sweet Halloween theme going strong.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween parties, I’ve placed these cookies on black or orange platters and surrounded them with miniature pumpkins or autumn leaves. Wrapping individual cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with themed ribbons makes great festive favors that guests love to take home.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and fresh for up to five days. If you want to keep the candy eyes looking fresh, avoid stacking cookies on top of each other or add them just before serving.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, just thaw in the fridge overnight and proceed with scooping and baking. This is a lifesaver for getting ahead during busy holiday seasons.

Reheating

If you want to refresh leftover cookies, I gently warm them in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This revives their soft texture and melts the chocolate slightly, making them taste almost freshly baked again.

FAQs

Can I use regular M&M’s instead of Halloween-themed ones?

Absolutely! If you can’t find Halloween M&M’s, you can pick out red and blue candies from a regular bag to mimic the colors, or use whichever colors you like best. The cookies taste just as delicious, and the candy eyes do the festive decorating for you.
Do I really need to chill the cookie dough?

Yes, chilling is key! It firms up the dough so the cookies don’t spread too much and enhances the flavor as the ingredients meld together. If you’re short on time, chilling for at least 1 hour helps, but two hours or overnight is best.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend of equal measure. I recommend a blend that already contains xanthan gum for the best texture. Just keep an eye on bake time, as gluten-free doughs sometimes brown faster.
How do I avoid the candy eyes melting during baking?

Great question! Add the candy eyes right after the cookies come out of the oven while they’re still warm but not hot enough to melt the candy completely—just gently press them into the tops. Avoid adding them before baking to keep their shape.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Halloween Cookies with M&Ms and Candy Eyes Recipe is one of those baking projects that feels like a little celebration in your kitchen. I love how it combines simple ingredients with playful holiday touches that delight kids and grown-ups alike. Whether you’re baking for a school party, family gathering, or just a cozy night in, these cookies bring a smile with every bite. So grab your mixing bowl, invite a friend (or a couple of little helpers), and have fun making these festive treats that you’ll want to bake again and again!