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    Home » Desserts

    EASY Monster Eye Cookies

    Published: Oct 27, 2019 · Modified: Jan 20, 2024 by burntapple · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    The spooky season whispers, chills creep in, and what better way to celebrate than with a dessert that's equal parts adorable and eerie? Enter monster eye cookies, a Halloween baking staple that's as fun to make as it is to devour. These whimsical treats combine chewy, gooey cookies with playful candy eyeballs.

    A rustic wooden table spread with a variety of monster eye cookies, each with its own unique personality and googly eye expression

    The foundation of any good monster eye cookie lies in its rich, chewy dough. It's made with minimal ingredients and pairs well with a bowl of 5 ingredient chili and garlic bread loaf.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Storing
    • Equipment
    • Variations
    • Tips and Tricks
    • FAQ
    • Monster Eye Cookies

    Ingredients

    To make your monster eye cookies you will need:

    • A cake mix box--you can use triple chocolate, devils food, or Halloween funfetti cake mixes
    • egg
    • Cool Whip or stabilized whipped cream
    • oil
    • Monster candy eyes

    Instructions

    Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees and lightly greasing a cookie sheet; set it aside.

    In a mixing bowl, set the mixer to medium-low and combine all ingredients, excluding the monster candy eyes.

    Shape the dough into one-inch balls and arrange them on the prepared cookie sheet, leaving a few inches of space between each cookie. Gently press 1-3 monster eyes into each cookie.

    Bake at 350 degrees for 11-13 minutes. Once done, take them out of the oven and allow them to cool on the cookie sheet for several minutes before transferring the cookies to a wire cooling rack to complete the cooling process.

    A close-up photo of a gluten-free monster cookie's candy eyeball, its shiny surface and realistic details

    Substitutions

    You can make these cookies into gluten free monster cookies pretty easy with a few simple changes. I've also added a few other substitutions you can make for other dietary needs or preferences.

    • Gluten free: Use a gluten free chocolate cake mix or gluten free Funfetti cake mix.
    • Dairy free: You will want to substitute a dairy free Cool whip for this recipe.
    • Vegan: Omit the egg and use an egg replacer.

    Storing

    You can store your cookies in an airtight container for several days or freeze cookies for up to one month. Thaw to eat.

    Equipment

    You will want a cookie sheet and cooling rack when making these cookies.

    Variations

    While candy eyeballs are the stars of these cookies, feel free to use chocolate chips, chopped nuts, sprinkles, and even dried fruit.

    For the eyeballs you can choose classic white with black pupils for a traditional look, or get creative with multicolored eyeballs for a more vibrant monster mash. Gummy eyeballs offer a chewy alternative, while mini marshmallows with chocolate chips embedded in them can create a homemade "eyeball" effect.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Line your baking sheet: Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
    • Chill the dough: Chilling helps prevent spreading and ensures chewy cookies.
    • Don't overmix: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
    • Use room-temperature ingredients: This ensures even blending and better texture.
    • Get creative with decorations: Use icing, sprinkles, and other edible goodies to personalize your monster cookies.
    • Bake in batches: Don't overcrowd the pan, as this can lead to uneven baking.

    FAQ

    Do I need to chill the dough?

    Chilling helps prevent spreading and ensures those chewy pockets of goodness, so it's highly recommended but not necessary. Aim for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.

    Help! My cookies are spreading! 

    Several factors can contribute to this. Using too much liquid, overmixing the dough, or baking at a slightly higher temperature than recommended can cause spreading. Chill the dough, check your measurements, and adjust the baking time if needed.

    How do I keep the eyeballs from falling off?

    A dab of melted chocolate, icing, or even peanut butter can secure your googly friends to the cookie base.

    A rustic wooden table spread with a variety of monster eye cookies, each with its own unique personality and googly eye expression

    Monster Eye Cookies

    Traci Wennerholm
    Bring your Halloween creations to life with monster eye cookies! Follow this simple recipe for soft, chewy, and gooey treats, made with ingredients like cake mix and Cool Whip.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20 cookies
    Calories 125 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cookie sheet
    • Parchment paper
    • cooling rack

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 box cake mix-triple chocolate devils food, or Halloween Funfetti cake mixes recommended
    • 1 egg
    • 1 8 ounce container Cool Whip or 3 cups stabilized whipped cream
    • 1 tablespoon oil
    • Monster candy eyes

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet and set aside.
    • In a mixing bowl with the mixer set to medium low, stir together all ingredients minus the monster candy eyes.
    • Roll dough into one inch balls and place on cookie sheet leaving a couple of inches space in between cookies. lightly press 1-3 monster eyes into each cookie.
    • Bake at 350 degrees for 11-13 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for several minutes on the cookie sheet before moving cookies to wire cooling rack to finish cooling completely.

    Notes

    You can substitute gluten free cake mix as a substitution. For a vegan recipe, use egg replacer in place of the cake. For a dairy free version, substitute dairy free Cool whip.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 125kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 191mgPotassium: 33mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 34IUCalcium: 72mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword gluten free monster cookies, monster cookies chewy, monster eye cookies
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    Hi, I'm Traci! Cooking hasn't always come easy. I'm the burnt pancake on one side and perfect on the other pancake person that serves it to you with the pretty side up. I've learned to cook and make it look easy to my family and others. I'm now helping you save time & money with easy simple recipes with five ingredients or less!

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