Halloween Ghost Cookies (Easy Chocolate Chip Ghost Cookies)
These Halloween Ghost Cookies are soft chocolate chip cookies topped with gooey marshmallow ghosts and candy eyes. An easy Halloween dessert that’s fun for kids and parties!
Welcome to my cookie archive! If you’re new here, I’m Lisa Silvestre, founder of The Secret Crunch and a self-proclaimed Butter Mom.
One of my favorite things about baking is taking a classic recipe and giving it a fun seasonal twist. These Halloween Ghost Cookies are the perfect example. They start with my soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies, but with one simple addition, they become the cutest Halloween treat on the dessert table.
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For these homemade Halloween cookies, a gooey toasted marshmallow transforms into a friendly little ghost with nothing more than a pair of candy eyes. They’re festive without being fussy, making them perfect for classroom parties, Halloween movie nights, or fall bake sales.
Sometimes the simplest ideas end up being everyone’s favorite.
Why You’ll Love These Halloween Ghost Cookies
These cookies are everything you love about a classic chocolate chip cookie, with a playful Halloween makeover.
They’re soft and chewy, loaded with melty milk chocolate chips, and topped with gooey marshmallow ghosts that couldn’t be easier to make. Since there are no complicated decorating techniques involved, they’re a great recipe to bake with kids.
What Makes These Ghost Cookies So Fun?
Instead of frosting or royal icing, these little ghosts are made using toasted marshmallows and candy eyes.
As the marshmallows soften in the oven, they create the perfect ghost shape while staying wonderfully puffy. It’s a simple trick that turns everyday chocolate chip cookies into a Halloween dessert everyone will remember.
What Ingredients do I Need to Make Halloween Ghost Cookies?
The ingredients to these cookies are very basic… so basic that you probably already have the majority of them in your pantry. Be sure to gather the following before making these Halloween treats (you’ll find the exact measurements in the recipe card below):
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Eggs
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Milk chocolate chips
- Marshmallows
- Candy eyes
How to Make Halloween Ghost Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and melted butter until smooth. Add the egg and continue mixing until fully incorporated.
Add the flour, salt, and baking soda, stirring until a soft cookie dough forms. Fold in the milk chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Using a standard cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons of dough), portion the dough into 12 cookie dough balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
Bake for 7 minutes.
Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and gently press one marshmallow into the center of each cookie.
Return the cookies to the oven and bake for an additional 4 minutes, or until the marshmallows have softened and the cookies are lightly golden around the edges.
Remove the cookies from the oven. While the marshmallows are still warm, gently press two candy eyes onto each marshmallow to create adorable little ghosts.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Halloween Ghost Cookies
Use fresh marshmallows for the softest ghost toppers.
Don’t wait too long to add the candy eyes. Press them onto the marshmallows while they’re still warm so they’ll stick easily.
The cookies will continue to bake slightly as they cool, so don’t overbake them in the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use mini marshmallows?
Large marshmallows work best because they create the classic ghost shape.
Enjoy instant-download party printables for your next big celebration!
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! They’re best enjoyed within two days and can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I freeze them?
You can freeze the baked cookies, but for the best appearance, I recommend adding the marshmallows and candy eyes the day you plan to serve them.
Whether you’re planning a Halloween party or simply looking for a cozy fall baking project, these Halloween Ghost Cookies are guaranteed to make everyone smile. They’re proof that sometimes all it takes is one marshmallow to turn a classic cookie into something magical.
Halloween Ghost Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 5 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ cup butter melted and cooled
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 12 marshmallows
- 24 candy eyes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and melted butter until smooth. Add the egg and continue mixing until fully incorporated.
- Add the flour, salt, and baking soda, stirring until a soft cookie dough forms. Fold in the milk chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Using a standard cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons of dough), portion the dough into 12 cookie dough balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
- Bake for 7 minutes.
- Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and gently press one marshmallow into the center of each cookie.
- Return the cookies to the oven and bake for an additional 4 minutes, or until the marshmallows have softened and the cookies are lightly golden around the edges.
- Remove the cookies from the oven. While the marshmallows are still warm, gently press two candy eyes onto each marshmallow to create adorable little ghosts.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve and enjoy!
