Marshmallow Spider Web Cookies (No Piping or Icing)
These Marshmallow Spider Web Cookies are rich, soft chocolate cookies topped with stretchy melted marshmallow webs. They’re an easy, spooky Halloween treat that’s fun to make and perfect for parties!
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing Bowls
- Cooling rack
- Baking Sheet
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee or espresso powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4-6 jumbo marshmallows
Instructions
- Combine the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, Dutch-process cocoa powder, instant coffee powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream the butter and sugars. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar for about 2 minutes, until creamy.
- Add the egg and vanilla. Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth and combined.
- Make the dough. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix just until a thick chocolate cookie dough forms.
- Prepare for baking. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape the cookies. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll into balls and press them slightly. Place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten the tops slightly.
- Bake. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before decorating.
- Melt the marshmallows. Place the jumbo marshmallows in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about 15–20 seconds, just until puffed and melted. Stir carefully.
- Create the spider webs. Allow the melted marshmallow to cool just enough to handle. Lightly grease your fingertips with a tiny amount of neutral oil or cooking spray. Pick up a small amount of melted marshmallow between your fingers, pull your fingers apart to create thin strands, and gently stretch the strands across the cooled cookies.
- Set the webs. Repeat in different directions until each cookie has an irregular spider-web pattern. Allow the marshmallow to set before serving.
Notes
- Use a small amount of marshmallow at a time. Small amounts are easier to stretch and create thin, delicate spider web strands.
- Lightly oil your fingers. Rub a tiny amount of oil on your fingertips to prevent the melted marshmallow from sticking.
- Don’t overheat the marshmallows. Heat them just until melted and stretchy. Let them cool slightly before handling so they are safe to touch.
- Work quickly. The marshmallow becomes harder to stretch as it cools. If it gets too stiff, microwave it for a few seconds until stretchy again.
- The webs don’t need to be perfect. Stretch the marshmallow strands in different directions and let them overlap naturally for a realistic spider web look.
- Cool the cookies completely. Make sure the cookies are fully cooled before adding the marshmallow webs so the topping stays in place.
- Use parchment paper. Place the cookies on parchment before decorating to make cleanup easier, since the marshmallow strands can get sticky and messy.
