Name: Unleash Spookiness with Black Magic Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-489312H3M
Total time: PT-489312H3M
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; ½ cup black cocoa powder (or dark cocoa powder); 1 tsp baking soda; ½ tsp salt; ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup brown sugar; ½ cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 ½ cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips; Optional: black gel food coloring; Optional: Halloween sprinkles, candy eyes, or edible glitter for decoration

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These Black Magic Cookies are soft, dark, and rich with chocolatey goodness—perfectly mysterious and haunting for Halloween. I like how they almost melt in the mouth, with a deep cocoa flavor and a spooky look that makes them irresistible on any themed dessert table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how dramatic these cookies look with their deep black color and gooey texture. They’re loaded with chocolate and just the right amount of sweetness. They’re also easy to make, and I can get creative by adding Halloween sprinkles or edible glitter to enhance the spooky effect. It’s the kind of cookie that disappears fast—both in looks and from the plate.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour
Black cocoa powder or dark cocoa powder
Baking soda
Salt
Unsalted butter, softened
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
Optional: black gel food coloring for extra darkness
Optional: Halloween sprinkles, edible glitter, or candy eyes

Directions

I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In one bowl, I whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate bowl, I cream the butter with the sugars until light and fluffy.
I add the eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined. If using black food coloring, I stir it in at this point.
I slowly mix in the dry ingredients until a thick dough forms, then fold in the chocolate chips.
Using a cookie scoop, I drop balls of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing them apart.
I bake them for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges are set and the centers are still soft.
I let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields about 24 cookies. It takes around 15 minutes to prepare the dough and 10–12 minutes per batch to bake.

Variations

Sometimes I add chopped nuts for crunch or white chocolate chips for a color contrast. I also like turning them into sandwich cookies with a vanilla or marshmallow filling. For an extra-spooky look, I top them with candy eyeballs before baking or drizzle white icing webs over them once cooled.

Storage/Reheating

I store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They stay soft and chewy. If I want that fresh-out-of-the-oven warmth, I pop one in the microwave for 5–10 seconds.

FAQs

What makes the cookies black?

I use black cocoa powder, which gives the cookies their deep color and rich flavor. Adding a touch of black gel food coloring intensifies the effect.

Can I make these without black cocoa powder?

Yes, I use dark cocoa powder as a substitute. The flavor and color are still great, though not quite as intense.

How do I keep them soft?

I don’t overbake them—the centers should still look slightly underdone when they come out. They’ll firm up as they cool.

Can I freeze the dough?

Absolutely. I scoop the dough onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. I bake from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the bake time.

Are these cookies super sweet?

They’re rich rather than overly sweet. The dark cocoa and semi-sweet chocolate balance out the sugar nicely.

Conclusion

Black Magic Cookies are my go-to when I want something bold, rich, and perfectly spooky. I love how simple they are to make while delivering such a big visual and flavor impact. Whether for Halloween or just a dark chocolate craving, they always bring a little magic to the table.