Sunday, October 20, 2019

Spooky Cookies for #Halloween + book + tote bag #giveaway from author @DarylWoodGerber



 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Spooky Giveaway below!


From Daryl:

I found this recipe online on a delicious blog called Love to be in the Kitchen. I made them gluten-free for my Halloween share.  The author of the original recipe said she based them off one of her favorite cookie recipes, Dark Chocolate M and M Cookies. Go to her blog to get that recipe.

Now, I’d never heard of black food coloring. Honestly, I rarely use food coloring after the whole issue with red food coloring years ago. But black?  I had to try it. Before doing so, I asked my Facebook fans if they’d ever used it. I got lots of warnings. Use too much, bleh. Use too little, won’t be dark enough.  And the dye will make your tongue black. Well, so will red or blue dye. Believe me, I’ve seen enough blue tongues after eating birthday cake with blue icing, thanks to all the little boys in my life.

But I have to tell you, a little black food coloring went a long way, and I’m glad I used it.

These cookies are so delicious! They’re great decorated with candy eyeballs - and really spooky - but making some of them plain for grownups is also a super idea.  They are a new go-to cookie for me. 

Tip: in the recipe online, she added the candy eyeballs before baking. My first batch didn’t turn out well having done so. So I added some right away after baking. That worked out beautifully.  I’ll show you both versions below.

Happy Halloween!

Spooky Cookies

(yields: 30-36 cookies)

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
optional: black food coloring  (I used only 2 drops!)
1 large egg,  room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup gluten-free flour  (I used half sweet rice flour; half tapioca starch)
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet)
Candy Eyeballs for topping the cookies

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THESE USING REGULAR FLOUR, just substitute out the gluten-free flour and omit the xanthan gum.

In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugars. *Optional add black food coloring to get a deeper shade of black in the cookies. I used 2 drops. That’s all!  Beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Blend in the egg and vanilla, scrape down the bowl if needed.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until incorporated. Add in the milk and then fold in the chocolate chips.

Next, cover this mixture and put in refrigerator for 2 hours.

When ready, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Roll about 2 tablespoons of dough into a ball and place on the baking sheet. Flatten slightly.

Bake at 350˚ F for 10-11 minutes. Remove from oven and then add the candy eyeballs.

Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Keep in a tightly sealed container. May be frozen if wrapped in saran and sealed well.





 PUT MIXTURE IN REFRIGERATOR FOR 2 HOURS.


I PUT THE EYES ON FIRST AND...yuck.  NOT MY FAVORITE.


SO FOR THE NEXT BATCH, I DIDN'T DECORATE UNTIL AFTER THEY WERE BAKED.





Because it's Halloween, I'm giving away a copy of 
the Halloween-themed Cookbook Nook Mystery
-- plus a Savor the Mystery tote bag
to 1 commenter.  
What is your favorite Halloween treat? 
Leave your email so I can contact you if you win.

Order DESOLATE SHORES, my latest suspense, HERE, trade paperback and e-book



Order SIFTING THROUGH CLUES, the 8th Cookbook Nook Mystery HERE, trade paperback and e-book



SAVOR THE MYSTERY!
 
Friend Daryl and Avery on Facebook
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Plus check out my website
Follow Daryl on Bookbub





91 comments:

  1. Ooh, I think my favorite Halloween treat would be Milk Duds (if I were trick or treating!) I also love cider and donuts as a fall treat. I'd love to win your Halloween novel! Thanks for the chance. kdubrinsky@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Candied apples, but they do not go in bags well. For that Sugar Babies.
    browninggloria(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glorious, they're good for parties, right? And I adore Sugar Babies. Haven't had those in ages. ~ Daryl

      Delete
  3. Caramel apples are my favorite. Your cookies sound delicious. They look spooky and fun to eat. Thank you for the chance.

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    Replies
    1. Donamae, they kept really well in the freezer, too. ~ Daryl

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  4. Russell Stovers makes a Carmel apple flavored candy that is only available in the fall months. That is my favorite Halloween candy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nan, I'm going to have to look for those. Yum. ~ Daryl

      Delete
  5. Oops forgot my e-mail NanB113@aoldotcom

    ReplyDelete
  6. I do enjoy the pumpkin donuts that you can find this tiime of the year. Also anything dark chocolate and caramel...but that's really anytime of the year! Thank you for a chance with this great giveaway! rwilson@ws4r.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All the coffee houses are serving pumpkin something right now. It's amazing how much of a selection. ~ Daryl

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  7. It matters not which holiday, I always want the darkest chocolate candy I can find!
    Lisacobblestone@aol.com

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    Replies
    1. Lisa, isn't it amazing how dark it can get now? 76%, 80%. Whew! ~ Daryl

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  8. My favorite Halloween candy as a kid and still is are the Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses and the black jelly beans that Dad and I shared. Both candies were only available at Halloween when I was a kid making them very special. Funny because even though you can buy them all year through now, I only look for them around Halloween. They remind me of all the fun Halloweens from my childhood and special moments with my Dad.

    Thank you for the adorably cute cookie recipe that sounds yummy as well. Definitely going to bake up a batch (or two or three) very soon. Appreciate the giveaway and while I've shared I've got my fingers crossed to be the very fortunate one selected.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  9. I only eat these at Halloween, Almond Joy mini's in a very large bag of mixed mini bars. The rest of the year I'm good and stay on my diet.

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    Replies
    1. Aw, NoraA, good for you. But I bet those Almond Joys are delicious because they are precious. ~ Daryl

      Delete
  10. White chocolate Kit Kat. im2early4u@gmail.com

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  11. I enjoy three musketeers, but will eat any chocolate candy bars
    judytucker1947@gmail.com

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  12. I just loved any chocolate candy we would gather in our Halloween trick or treats. Favorite place to go was the local funeral home for orange drink.
    lindalou64@live.com HAPPY HALLOWEEN🕸

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  13. I love Halloween! My favorite Halloween treat is Candy Corn. angelndavid6982@gmail.com

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  14. I’m not much of a baker,...so candy is my fav...almond joy milk duds or whoppers thanks for the chance to win rosacline90@gmail.com

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  15. I like dark chocolate peanut butter cups.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  16. My favorite treat is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. :) minibuttercookieatyahoodotcom

    ReplyDelete
  17. my favorite halloween candy is Sees dark chocolate! I love their marshmallow pumpkins, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reba, I'm a See's candy girl, too. Love their suckers and their toffee. ~ Daryl

      Delete
  18. Apple cider donuts saamm7(at)msn(dot).c om

    ReplyDelete
  19. My favorite treat is Kit Kat. Thanks for the chance to win. bella_ringer@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debbie, you're the winner by random selection. Congrats. I'll email you for info. ~ Daryl

      Delete
  20. Very cute.
    I, too vote for the eyeballs after baking order.
    Halloween treat? Almost anything with dark chocolate.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Libby, it really was a learning process re: the eyes. LOL ~ Daryl

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  21. If we are talking candy, I’m a Reese’s peanut butter cup girl. But I really love most all candy. Baked good would probably be apple crisp since I only make that this time of year. I am definitely going to be trying these cookies.
    Christinecobb18@gmail.com

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  22. That recipe sounds tasty and looks cute - thanks for the chance to win, super giveaway, love the cookbook nook series, but would love to win Desolate Shores

    ReplyDelete
  23. My favorite Halloween treat would be almost anything chocolate but I admit to being partial to Milky Way Midnight bars. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love the recipe. If only I liked chocolate cookies, lol. I love Halloween candy. All of it. Even the chocolate. Peeps are wonderful if you let them go stale. Circus peanuts, candy bars, milk duds, nerds (especially big bumpy ones). Love it all. No need to enter me though. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hm, if you like chocolate, you should like these cookies, Kayt18. They're mostly chocolate, very little cookie. LOL ~ Daryl

      Delete
  25. Those cookies are so cute. I love Twix. Thanks for the giveaway!
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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  26. Cookies look so good. Thanks for the chance to win. librarylady18@hotmail.com

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  27. I love Payday bars! Thanks for the chance! bookworm814@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  28. My favorate treat is Reeses cups, Sugar Babies, Milk Duds! I also love popcorn balls! I would love to win your book! Thanks for the chance! almaj80(at)suddenlink(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like mounds. These cookies are such a good idea and so cute . Thank you for the chance to read and of course review on a few sites.Peggy Clayton ptclayton2 (at) aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mounds bars. Yum. PT, I'm making coconut cupcakes right now. ~ Daryl

      Delete
  30. Yum, my kiddos would love these. Reese's peanut butter pumpkins are my favorite. Brookeb811@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love Pay Day bars and $100,000 dollar bars
    robsnest60 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  32. My favorites are Heath and Skor...my kids probably don't know what they taste like, I always grab them(parent tax) before they have a chance to eat them. Lol. I can't wait to try these cookies! I'll send a pic if I can get to them today. Thank you for sharing. konecny7(at)gmail.com

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  33. The recipe is adorable and so is the bag. Ty for the chance. Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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  34. Thank you for the gluten-free version. I’m going to make those for my students. My favorite Halloween treats are the Reese’s pumpkins. So good! Thanks for the recipe and giveaway chance. Kchinetti at gmail dot com.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen, great to hear. It really helps when there are good things for all in the classroom to eat. ~ daryl

      Delete
  35. As a kid I loved Tom’s Peanut Butter Logs. I don’t know if they still make them.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Those cookies look yummy but unfortunately I am not able to eat chocolate due to a health issue,"sob!". So I will admit to a weakness to candy corn this time of year. Thank you for this chance to win. 1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Oh, bummer, Carol. I get it. I can't eat wheat. I wonder if these could be made with caramel. Hmm. Experiment time. ~ Daryl

      Delete
  37. We love to make caramel apples, which actually ends up being a fairly messy affair lol. Oh well, it is only once a year. The cookie recipe sounds tasty.

    -Rachel
    foxyflojo83@hotmail.com

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  38. My favorite is candy corn. Second favorite is Milky Way Midnight.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  39. I love Peanut M&Ms, they have to be healthy because they have peanuts in them. holdensheryl@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love this time of year when candy corn candy comes out..my dogs love small bits of it also..terrysaunders29@hotmail.com

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  41. My favorite Halloween treat is my mother-in-law's homemade popcorn balls and mulled apple cider.

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  42. My favorite Halloween treat is the bite size Mounds bars and Almond Joy bars. I buy other candy to give yo the kids on Halloween. Recipe looks amazing.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dianne, I think we all buy candy so we can have some ourselves. :) ~ Daryl

      Delete
  43. Twizzlers, and the little ones love twix. I buy a great variety. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  44. Fun looking cookies! :D One of my favorite Halloween treats is Reeses or SNickers

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  45. These are so cute and fun! I'm trying these for Halloween now. My favorite Halloween candy is Mounds or Butterfingers.
    kozo8989 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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    Replies
    1. Alicia, they are fun. I didn't have a clue there were "eyes" that were edible. LOL ~ Daryl

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  46. Love the look of the cookies! Favorite treats to hand out - Snickers.
    kckendler at gmail dot com

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  47. Caramel apples and popcorn balls

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  48. Thanks for the receipe! I love anything dark chocolate!
    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. My favorite Halloween treats are Whoppers!

    valleyreader(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Darcy, you're not alone. There are many similar responses. ~ Daryl

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  50. My favorite Halloween treat is the Mini Tootsie Rolls. But I also like lots of other candy, both chocolate and non-chocolate.

    donna (dot) durnell (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

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    Replies
    1. I think you're the first to mention Tootsie Rolls today. I adore them. Take them to movies. And I love Tootsie pops. They last so long. ~ Daryl

      Delete
    2. Wow that post just disappeared!
      I am hard pressed to pick one treat. I always loved the light Karo syrup popcorn balls. Followed closely by whooper balls, snickers, walonuts, and homemade fudge. It probably would be easier to list what I didn't like.

      Delete
  51. Halloween....chocolate, anything chocolate candy, peanut butter cups. Fall, pumpkin spice lattes.
    net
    kaye.killgore(at)comcast(dot)

    ReplyDelete
  52. Caramel apples, peanut butter cups, peanut butter kisses. ctymice(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. My only favorite treat year round is chocolate chip cookies. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  54. When I was a child and it was okay to eat the homemade treats that were put in our bags, I loved our neighbor lady's No Bake Cookies and her Rice Krispie Treats. My mother always made pop corn balls. We always had a line up. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  55. what a wonderful recipe. Thanks, easy enough to make gluten free too. I used to like chocolate bars, snickers etc.
    quilting lady 2 at comcast dot net

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it is easy to make gluten-free. Love this recipe. ~ Daryl

      Delete
  56. My favorite are snickers! Thanks for the great recipe and the chance to win! ljbonkoski@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. My favorite Halloween treat is a popcorn ball. Sadly the neighbor who made THE best is no longer with us, but her popcorn balls will live on forever in the memories of the children of Andover, VT who were lucky enough to knock on her door on Halloween.
    suzyhuyler@gmail.com

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  58. Besides fresh, crisp apples? Justin's Dark Chocolate PB Cups... Yum! Happy Halloween!
    Cheers-
    Kelly Braun
    Gaelicark(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  59. The winner of this giveaway is Debbie aka bella ringer. I'll email you for your info. Congrats. Tell a friend and thanks to all for chiming in. ~ Daryl

    ReplyDelete