Name: Desserts
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup sweet cream unsalted butter.; 3/4 cup sugar.; 2/3 cup packed brown sugar.; 2 large eggs.; 1 tsp vanilla.; 2 1/4 cups flour.; 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder.; 1 tsp baking soda.; 1/4 tsp salt.; 16 oz white frosting (typically one container).; 5 drops neon green gel food coloring.; M&M candies (orange, green, and purple).

These "Hocus Pocus" Halloween Cookies bring a magical and spooky twist to any Halloween party. The cookies have a delicious chocolatey base made with cocoa powder and sugar, giving them a rich flavor. Topped with festive green, orange, and purple M&M's, the cookies are injected with neon green frosting, creating a spooky surprise when you bite into them. Perfect for parties or as a fun treat for your family, these cookies will disappear fast—just like magic! Enjoy them with a warm cup of hot chocolate, and watch the fun unfold.

These 'Hocus Pocus' Halloween Cookies are the perfect spooky treat for your Halloween party! With their rich, chocolatey base, colorful M&M's, and a hidden neon green frosting center, these cookies are sure to wow your guests and disappear as fast as you can serve them. They're fun, easy to make, and perfect for adding a little magic to your Halloween celebrations!

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Sweet Cream Unsalted Butter: The base of the dough, providing richness and softness to the cookies.
3/4 Cup Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create the chewy texture.
2/3 Cup Packed Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor.
2 Large Eggs: Helps bind the ingredients together and adds richness.
1 tsp Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
2 1/4 Cup Flour: The main structure of the cookies.
2/3 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds deep, rich chocolate flavor to the cookie dough.
1 tsp Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and stay soft in the center.
1/4 tsp Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
16 oz White Frosting (one container): Used to create the spooky green filling inside the cookies.
5 drops Neon Green Gel Food Coloring: Adds that signature Halloween green color to the frosting.
M&M Candies (Orange, Green, and Purple): Colorful candies that top the cookies and add a festive look.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS “Hocus Pocus” Halloween Cookies

Festive and Fun: These cookies are packed with Halloween spirit, from the neon green frosting surprise to the colorful M&M's, making them a hit at any Halloween party or gathering.
Chocolatey Goodness: With a rich, cocoa-flavored base, these cookies are the perfect treat for any chocolate lover.
Simple to Make: Despite their festive appearance, these cookies are easy to make and come together quickly with simple ingredients.
Customizable: You can adjust the colors and filling for different themes or holidays, making them a versatile treat for any occasion.

VARIATIONS

Colorful Frosting: Switch up the frosting color for other occasions—try purple, orange, or even black for a spooky twist.
Filled with Caramel: Replace the frosting with caramel for a gooey, sweet surprise in every bite.
Peanut Butter Addition: Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to the dough for a hint of nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the M&M's.
Spooky Sprinkles: Top the cookies with spooky Halloween sprinkles to give them even more festive flair.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick silicone baking mat.
Step 2:: In a small bowl, separate the green, orange, and purple M&M's, and set them aside for decorating later.
Step 3:: In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set this dry mixture aside.
Step 4:: In another large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 5:: Add the eggs and vanilla to the butter-sugar mixture and mix well until fully incorporated.
Step 6:: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
Step 7:: Fold in half of the M&M's into the dough, stirring gently to distribute the candies throughout the mixture.
Step 8:: Form the dough into 2-inch balls and place them on the prepared cookie sheet. Press the remaining M&M's into the tops of each dough ball.
Step 9:: Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are set. Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 10:: To make the frosting, heat the white frosting in a microwave-safe bowl for 15 seconds to soften. Stir in the neon green gel food coloring until the frosting is a vibrant green.
Step 11:: Using a flavor injector, poke the side of each cookie and carefully inject the green frosting until the top of the cookie cracks. Repeat with all cookies.
Step 12:: Serve your spooky "Hocus Pocus" Halloween Cookies and watch them disappear as fast as magic!

Serving and Storage Tips

Serve these "Hocus Pocus" Halloween Cookies as a fun, spooky treat at any Halloween party, or make them for a cozy night in. They pair perfectly with a glass of milk or hot chocolate.
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresher longer, store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.
If you want to make them ahead of time, prepare the dough in advance, refrigerate, and bake the cookies the day of your event. You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months.

Helpful Notes

Colorful Variation: Feel free to use different colored M&M's depending on your party theme or holiday. This recipe is versatile and works for any occasion!
Spooky Filling: If you're feeling adventurous, use different colored gel food coloring to create an assortment of spooky fillings in your cookies. Purple or orange frosting would be great for a Halloween twist!
Chewy Cookies: Be sure to remove the cookies from the oven while they are still slightly soft in the middle to achieve that perfect chewy texture.

Tips from well-known chefs

Chef Duff Goldman: "For fun, creative treats, always experiment with bold colors and flavors. Don't be afraid to add your own twist!"
Chef Buddy Valastro: "When injecting frosting into cookies, make sure the cookies are cooled enough to avoid melting the frosting, but not so cold that they crack."
Chef Christina Tosi: "Balance sweetness with a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors and make every bite of your dessert more satisfying."