Name: Halloween Black Cocoa Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 28 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups (180g) all purpose flour; ¼ cup (20g) black cocoa powder; ½ tsp baking soda; ½ tsp salt; ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened; ½ cup (99g) granulated sugar; ½ cup (107g) brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Orange M&Ms

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 15 reviews

Alright, friend, let me introduce you to my absolute favorite fall treat: the Halloween Black Cocoa Chocolate Cookies Recipe. These cookies aren’t just any chocolate cookies—they’re intensely dark, chewy delights with that spooky Halloween vibe thanks to black cocoa powder and bright orange M&Ms sprinkled on top. If you’re looking to wow the trick-or-treat crew or just treat yourself to something a little extra special this season, this recipe is going to be your new go-to. Stick with me and I’ll show you exactly how to nail them!

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Why This Recipe Works

Black Cocoa Magic: It gives the cookies that striking almost-black color and an extra-rich chocolate flavor that’s perfect for Halloween.
Perfect Chewiness: The mix of brown and granulated sugars creates a chewy texture that keeps these cookies irresistibly soft.
Bright Orange Accent: Orange M&Ms add a festive pop of color and a little crunch—totally worth the extra step!
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: You don’t need a ton of fancy stuff; these cookies come together quickly and bake up beautifully every time.

A dark chocolate cookie tray filled with round black cookies, each topped with bright orange candy pieces scattered evenly across the surface. The cookies are stacked and spread closely together on white parchment paper in a white tray, with small black plastic spiders placed on top near the edges for decoration. Two skeleton hands, one on the left and one on the right, reach in from both sides, holding some of the cookies. A black and white checkered cloth lies partially under the tray on the left side. The tray rests on a white marbled textured surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Halloween Black Cocoa Chocolate Cookies Recipe plays a role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the rare but impactful black cocoa powder to the combination of sugars, it’s all about building that dark, chewy, chocolaty cookie you’ll want to make all October long.

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and chew you expect in a good cookie—make sure it’s fresh for best results.
Black cocoa powder: This is the secret star—it’s ultra-dark with a slightly different flavor profile than regular cocoa, giving the cookies their iconic black look and robust taste.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies spread a bit and gives them that soft chewy texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
Unsalted butter: Brings richness and that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with that classic cookie crispness on the edges.
Brown sugar: Holds onto moisture, for chewy, tender cookies with a subtle caramel vibe.
Egg: The binder that holds everything together and adds moisture.
Vanilla extract: A small but key ingredient for rounding out the flavor.
Orange M&Ms: For that festive Halloween touch and a fun pop of color and crunch.

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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 to keep these cookies pretty classic, but you can definitely tweak them to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Honestly, every time I’ve experimented, the cookies come out delightful, so don’t hesitate to play around!

Variation: I once swapped orange M&Ms for purple or green ones to mix up the Halloween color theme—still got rave reviews from my friends!
Dairy-Free Option: Using vegan butter works well here; just be sure it’s softened properly so the dough comes together smoothly.
Extra Chocolatey: Add mini chocolate chips or chunks for even more melty chocolate pockets—delicious!
Spice it Up: A pinch of cinnamon or cayenne powder can add a subtle warmth that plays nicely with the cocoa.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Halloween Black Cocoa Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, black cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly distributed, which is key for the perfect texture and color in each cookie.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar on low speed. This slow start helps prevent sugar flying everywhere and results in a fluffy base that traps air, making your cookies nice and soft once baked.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix again on low. I like to make sure these are fully combined before adding the dry mix to keep my dough smooth and avoid any clumps of flour or cocoa.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. I recommend mixing by hand or on the lowest mixer speed so you don’t overwork the dough—that keeps the cookies tender. Once combined, the dough will be wonderfully dark and a bit firm.

Step 5: Portion and Add M&Ms

Use a cookie scoop to drop equally sized dough balls onto a silicone mat–lined baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart. Now the fun part: press a generous amount of orange M&Ms into the outside of each dough ball. Don’t be shy here—more M&Ms mean a more festive and delicious cookie.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake for 10–13 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. If any M&M spots get uncovered during baking, gently press in extra candies right after removing the cookies from the oven. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely—this helps them set perfectly without breaking.

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Pro Tips for Making Halloween Black Cocoa Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Use Black Cocoa Powder: It’s the key to that deep black color and rich chocolate flavor—don’t substitute with natural cocoa unless you add black food coloring if you want the true color effect.
Don’t Overmix: Overworking the dough can make cookies tough; mix until just combined for the best texture.
Silicone Mat or Parchment Paper: Both work great to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
Add M&Ms Twice: Adding M&Ms after scooping and again immediately after baking ensures those vibrant orange candies really pop on the cookies.

How to Serve Halloween Black Cocoa Chocolate Cookies Recipe

The image shows a close-up of two dark chocolate cookies with bright orange candy pieces scattered evenly on top, sitting on a white plate. Behind them, there is a tall stack of similar cookies also decorated with the same orange candies. The cookies have a rough, slightly cracked surface texture with the candies embedded on the top layer. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface with some small plastic black spiders nearby, adding a Halloween feel to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple and let those bright orange M&Ms shine for the garnish, but you could sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible glitter or orange sanding sugar for an extra sparkly Halloween look. If you’re feeling creative, a drizzle of white chocolate spider web is a fun touch too.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a glass of cold milk (classic, right?) or for a seasonal spin, try them alongside pumpkin spice lattes or hot apple cider. They also make a great dessert alongside creamy vanilla ice cream or a scoop of pumpkin gelato.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween parties, I like to stack these cookies on a rustic wooden board with small Halloween figurines scattered around. Another fun idea: serve them in mini “cauldrons” or black-and-orange cupcake liners with creepy spider rings as a festive touch for kids and adults alike!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay chewy and delicious for about 4-5 days. If you live in a humid climate, I recommend adding a slice of bread to the container to keep the cookies soft longer (trust me, it really works!).

Freezing

This Halloween Black Cocoa Chocolate Cookies Recipe freezes beautifully. I freeze the dough balls individually scooped on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag for later. You can bake from frozen by just popping the dough balls in the oven a couple minutes longer—they come out just as good as fresh!

Reheating

To reheat, I pop cookies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or warm them in a low oven (300ºF) for 5 minutes. This revives their softness and makes them taste freshly baked again—no dry or crumbly leftovers here.

FAQs

Can I substitute regular cocoa powder for black cocoa powder?

You can, but your cookies won’t be as dark or have quite the same intense flavor. If you want to mimic the black color, adding black gel food coloring can help, though the texture and taste won’t be exactly the same.
Why do my cookies spread too much?

If your cookies are spreading too much, your butter might have been too soft or the dough was warm when you dropped it on the tray. Chilling the dough for 20-30 minutes before baking can help control spreading.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Substituting with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend should work well in this recipe. Just make sure your blend contains xanthan gum or similar for structure. I recommend chilling the dough a bit longer to prevent spreading.
How do I keep the M&Ms from fading color or melting too much?

Pressing the M&Ms onto the dough just before baking and adding more immediately after baking helps maintain their vibrant color and shape. Using a silicone mat and baking at 350ºF as directed keeps them intact without excessive melting.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely love this Halloween Black Cocoa Chocolate Cookies Recipe because it brings the spirit of fall and Halloween into every bite, with that deep, almost-black chocolate and the fun pop of orange candy reminding me of cozy autumn evenings. Baking these cookies feels like a little celebration, whether it’s just for me and my family or a bigger party. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do—because honestly, they’re as fun to bake as they are to eat. Give this recipe a try and make your Halloween extra sweet and delicious!