Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies

These Halloween cookies are spooky, fun, and incredibly easy to make! These gluten-free double chocolate Halloween cookies are the perfect Halloween party dessert. Perfect for kids, these gluten-free Halloween cookies will get everyone into spooky season!

If you are looking for an easy gluten-free Halloween dessert that tastes as good as it looks, look no further! These gluten-free double chocolate cookies are not only adorable, but they will make your mouth water at the sight (and smell) of them. 

What makes these Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies so good?

Do you love Halloween? Do you love cookies? Well, then you are in for a treat! These Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies are the perfect spooky dessert for your next party. Not only are they gluten-free, but they also taste amazing. These chocolaty gluten-free cookies are incredibly easy to make, unlike some gluten-free recipes. The best part? Everyone will be able to enjoy them, including your gluten-free friends and family!

Why You’ll Love these Gluten-Free Halloween Cookies

Not only are these Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies tasty and easy to make, but they also add that extra touch of spookiness to any Halloween party. Adding more fun and creativity, these gluten-free cookies can be decorated in so many ways depending on which mix-ins you choose to use! There are two color schemes of Halloween M&M’s to choose from, candy eyeballs, and white chocolate chips, and you can even add sprinkles to add an extra spooky flare to your cookies!

Tips for Baking Gluten-Free Halloween Cookies

1. Properly measure the flour and dry ingredients – Gluten-free baking can sometimes be finicky, so it is important to properly measure the ingredients for the best results. If the flour is measured improperly, it can lead to either flat and runny cookies or overly dry cookies. I suggest investing in a food scale to accurately measure your ingredients. If you don’t have a food scale, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off. Be sure to not pack the flour down or scoop the flour out of the flour container with the measuring cup.
2. Sift all of your dry ingredients – When it comes to baking gluten-free, there are a few things to keep in mind. Make sure you thoroughly sift all of your dry ingredients before adding in the wet ingredients, this will ensure that everything is properly mixed and there are no clumps of flour or other dry ingredients left in your dough. Here is a great flour sifter.
3. Make sure you are using gluten-free 1:1 flour – Gluten-free flours can vary greatly in texture and consistency, so it is important to use the correct type of flour specified in the recipe to get the best results.
4. Make sure your gluten-free flour contains xanthan gum or another binding agent – Gluten helps baked goods to hold their shape, so using a gluten-free flour that includes a binding agent will help ensure that your cookies do not spread too much while baking. All gluten-free 1:1 flour (also known as cup for cup) will contain a binding agent. If you are using all-purpose gluten-free flour without a binding agent, add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum per 1 cup of flour.
5. Use a cookie scooper for your cookie dough balls – using a cookie scooper helps make the dough balls uniform in size and shape before baking. It also helps to prevent flattening or breaking the dough when shaping it with your hands.
6. Top dough balls with garnish – before baking, top the dough balls with your desired mix-ins for added decoration and flavor. Just make sure to press them lightly into the dough so they do not fall off while baking. This will make your cookies look like bakery-style gluten-free cookies!
7. Don’t overbake the cookies – Gluten-free cookies can easily become dry and crumbly if overbaked, so make sure to keep an eye on them and remove them from the oven once they are just starting to puff and become sturdier around the edges.

Dry Ingredients for Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies

• Gluten-free 1 to 1 flour: This is my favorite brand of 1:1 gluten-free flour, but I have also had success with this brand as well.
• Cocoa powder, sifted: I like this brand of cocoa powder. Cocoa powder gives the cookies a texture similar to brownies.
• Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise.
• Baking powder: Works with baking soda to rise the cookies.
• Cornstarch: Helps provide structure for the cookies.
• Fine sea salt: Salt helps to counteract an overly sweet taste.

Other Ingredients for Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies

• Unsalted butter: Make sure your butter is at room temperature. Room-temperature butter is soft enough to incorporate air to ensure your cookies do not turn out thin and flat.
• Granulated sugar: This will provide sweetness to the cookies. Sugar is a leavening agent in cookies.
• Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and flavor to the recipe. You can use either light or dark brown sugar.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla adds flavor and aroma to cookie recipes.
• Egg: Make sure your egg is at room-temperature to ensure the cookie dough binds well.
• White chocolate chips: For added texture and sweetness. You can also substitute semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.
• Halloween M&MS: These Halloween M&M’s are such fun, festive colors to give this Halloween cookie recipe a spooky look. I have had luck finding them at both Target and Amazon.
• Edible candy eyeballs: These edible candy eyeballs add a spooky, quirky element to these Halloween cookies. You can find them at most grocery or craft stores near the sprinkles and icing. You can also find them at Target and Amazon.

How to Make Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, sift together the gluten-free flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside. 

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugars together on medium speed until light and fluffy, scraping the edges of the bowl down to fully mix. Add the vanilla extract and egg, and beat well to combine. 

Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and beat until the mixture forms a slightly sticky dough. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer. Fold in the white chocolate chips and Ghouly M&M’s with a large spatula or spoon. 

Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes before baking. 

Using a spring-loaded scoop, place balls of the cookie dough onto the prepared parchment paper on the baking sheet, spacing the balls at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.

Garnish the balls of cookie dough with extra Ghouly M&M’s and candy eyeballs, keeping the eyeballs close to each other. Do not add too many M&M’s or white chocolate chips that the cookies will not form well. 

Bake for 12-13 minutes until puffy, soft on the inside with the outside edges forming. Check your oven periodically to ensure you do not overbake the cookies. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes before moving the cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling. 

Do I have to include white chocolate chips?

You don’t have to include white chocolate chips, but they add a delicious creamy flavor to the cookies. Feel free to substitute the white chocolate chips with any mix-ins you wish or leave them out altogether. Other options could be semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even Halloween sprinkles! Just make sure not to overload the dough with mix-ins or it will prevent the cookies from forming properly.

Bonus Tip: Consider drizzling melted chocolate or colored icing on top of the cooled cookies for even more Halloween flair!

How to Store these Gluten-Free Halloween Cookies

These Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Personally, I like to keep my cookies in the fridge to prolong their freshness. These cookies also freeze well for up to 2 months – simply thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying! 

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these gluten-free Halloween cookies dairy free?

Yes, you can easily make these Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies dairy free by substituting the butter with a vegan butter or non-dairy alternative of your choice.

Can I use all-purpose gluten-free flour?

Yes, you can certainly use all-purpose gluten-free flour in this recipe instead of Gluten-Free 1:1 flour, although I highly recommend using the Gluten-Free 1:1 flour for the best texture and taste. If you do use all-purpose gluten-free flour, make sure the flour has a binding agent or that you add a binding agent to the flour mixture. It is common practice to add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum per cup of flour.

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

Of course! Feel free to use any type of M&M’s in this Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Halloween Cookie recipe for a tasty twist. You can also use any other mix-ins such as chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or Halloween sprinkles.

Do I have to add the candy eyeballs and M&M’s on top before baking?

Adding the candy eyeballs and M&M’s on top before baking not only adds a festive touch but also helps them stick to the cookie dough as it spreads. However, if you forget to add them before baking, you can also add them after baking for an equally delicious cookie. Just make sure to lightly press the mix-ins onto the cookies before they have fully cooled so they stick to the cookies.

Can this recipe be made not gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe can be made not gluten-free, or “gluten-full” as I like to call it! Simply sub out the gluten-free 1:1 flour for all-purpose flour and you’re good to go. This gluten-free cookie recipe is adapted from Tessa Arias’s Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies. If you want to try the recipe gluten-full and without any adaptions to it, try her recipe!

Enjoy these Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies as a festive and delicious treat this spooky season!

Don’t forget to tag me @glutenfreedailybread on Instagram and leave a review below if you make these gluten-free double chocolate Halloween cookies. Pin this recipe to your Pinterest recipe boards to save it for later! Happy baking!

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