Black Cat Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun, festive treat that’s as adorable as it is delicious, you’re going to love this Black Cat Cookies Recipe. These cute cookies are perfect for Halloween parties, themed gatherings, or just a cozy night in with a spooky twist. I promise once you try this recipe, you’ll keep baking these little black cats year after year—they’re fan-freaking-tastic and surprisingly easy to make!

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Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Black Cat Cookies Recipe comes from mixing familiar, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together quickly but taste special. Here’s why each plays its role perfectly:

• Devil’s Food cake mix: This is the shortcut hero—providing chocolatey richness and soft crumb without fuss.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and add moisture for that tender crumb.
• Canola or vegetable oil: Keeps cookies moist and tender; I sometimes tweak amount depending on the cake mix size.
• Black food coloring (optional): Deepens the cookie color for a more dramatic black cat effect.
• Unsalted butter (for frosting): Creates a creamy, rich frosting base; make sure it’s softened!
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting with a smooth texture that’s easy to spread.
• Black cocoa powder: Gives the frosting its signature black color and an intense chocolate flavor.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with a warm, true vanilla note.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out chocolate’s richness.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting to the perfect spreadable consistency.
• Decorations (M&Ms, heart-shaped sprinkles, black licorice, Hershey bars): These add personality and that clever cat look—don’t skip the edible marker for pupils; it’s such a fun finishing touch!

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how flexible this Black Cat Cookies Recipe is! You really can make it your own, whether you want to dial up the chocolate or switch decorations depending on the season or kids’ preferences.

• Variation: I’ve swapped black cocoa powder in the frosting for regular cocoa and added orange sprinkles for a more traditional Halloween vibe; it’s still delicious and kid-approved.
• Dietary Modifications: For a dairy-free twist, try using dairy-free margarine and plant-based milk in frosting—you won’t sacrifice much on taste.
• Seasonal Changes: Instead of black cats, adapt the same cookie base and frosting for other characters—like spooky owls or pumpkins—switching up decorations.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Black Cat Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This step might seem obvious, but trust me, having everything ready prevents that frantic scramble later—and your cookies will bake evenly without sticking.

Step 2: Mix Up the Cookie Dough

Grab a large bowl and stir together the Devil’s Food cake mix, eggs, and oil until it’s all combined and smooth. If you want your cookies extra black and spooky, add a few drops of black food coloring here. I usually start with two drops and add more if needed to get that perfect dark color.

Step 3: Shape and Bake Your Cookies

Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop 1 1/2 tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto your parchment-lined sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Don’t flatten them—you want that soft, pillowy rise. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges feel set but the centers might look a bit soft. This softness is totally fine because the cookies firm up as they cool. Let them rest for 5 minutes on the sheet before moving them to a wire rack.

Step 4: Whip Up the Black Cocoa Frosting

While the cookies chill out, start on the frosting. Beat softened unsalted butter in a medium bowl until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, black cocoa powder, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 1 tablespoon of milk. Mix until smooth and spreadable. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk one teaspoon at a time. The key is a creamy texture that holds but spreads easily.

Step 5: Decorate Your Black Cat Cookies

Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a generous dollop of your luscious black frosting on each one. Now the fun part: eyes! Take your M&Ms and use a black edible marker to add pupils—this little detail brings your cats to life. Press two M&Ms onto each cookie for the eyes. Place a heart-shaped sprinkle upside down below the eyes as the nose. Next, snip small pieces of black licorice with kitchen shears and press them into the frosting around the nose for whiskers. Finally, break Hershey bars into triangles and press these on top for ears. Allow the frosting to set a few minutes before serving.

How to Serve Black Cat Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with the suggested M&Ms, heart-shaped sprinkles, and black licorice whiskers because they create such an effective and charming look. Sometimes, I like to add a tiny edible glitter dust for a magical little sparkle that catches the light, especially for kids’ parties.

Side Dishes

Pair these with a warm cup of apple cider or hot chocolate for a cozy, fall-inspired snack. They also make a fantastic dessert alongside vanilla ice cream or a scoop of pumpkin spice gelato for that seasonal twist.

Creative Ways to Present

One Halloween, I arranged these cookies on a platter with leaf-shaped sugar cookies and little spiderweb doilies. It made such a fun centerpiece! You could also package a few in cellophane bags tied with orange and black ribbons for homemade gifts or party favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I’ve stored leftover Black Cat Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature away from sunlight for up to 3-4 days. They stay soft and delicious, but don’t forget to keep them separate from strong-smelling foods, so the chocolate taste stays pure.

Freezing

Freezing works wonderfully here. I flash-freeze the baked cookies on a tray until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. You can keep them frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature, and they taste almost fresh-baked!

Reheating

If you want that freshly baked warmth, I lightly warm the thawed cookies in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. Be gentle, though, or the frosting might soften too much. Just enough warmth to bring out the flavors and soften the cookie slightly.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Black Cat Cookies Recipe is truly one of my favorite easy treats to make—especially around Halloween. They bring a smile to everyone’s face, and the decorating process is pure joy, whether you’re making them with kids or on your own. If you give these a try, I just know you’ll fall in love too. So grab a box of cake mix, get your decorations ready, and let’s bake some charming black cats that taste as good as they look!

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