Cauldron Cookies: 7 Spooky Treats Kids Will Love

Name: Cauldron Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box Devil’s Food cake mix; 2 eggs; 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil; Black food coloring (optional); 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Pinch of salt; 1–2 tbsp milk; Green food coloring; Green round sprinkles; Halloween sprinkles (skulls, bones, etc.); Candy eyeballs; Pretzel sticks, halved

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There’s just something magical about Cauldron Cookies. Maybe it’s the bubbling green frosting that looks like it came straight out of a witch’s brew, or maybe it’s how ridiculously easy they are to make—even when your day’s been anything but. These festive little treats are a total win for Halloween parties, classroom celebrations, or cozy nights in with spooky movies and blankets. If you’ve ever needed a go-to Halloween dessert that’s both fun and foolproof, this is it.

Let’s be honest: Halloween gets hectic. Between decorating, costume crises, and sugar-hyped kiddos, who has time to whip up something elaborate? That’s why I love these Cauldron Cookies. They use a boxed cake mix (bless!) and come together with just a handful of pantry staples. But don’t let the simplicity fool you—these treats are showstoppers.

Why You’ll Love These Cauldron Cookies

Fast & Festive: You can prep and bake in under 30 minutes.
Kid-Approved: Between the candy eyeballs and the green gooey “potion,” kids eat these up—literally.
No Decorating Skills Required: If you can squeeze a piping bag, you can nail this.
Perfect for Parties: They’re bite-sized and easy to transport, making them ideal for potlucks or Halloween events.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to brew up these delicious cauldrons:

1 box Devil’s Food cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
A few drops black food coloring (optional, but makes them extra cauldron-y)

For the Green Buttercream:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1–2 tablespoons milk
Green food coloring (get that potion pop!)

Toppings:

Round green sprinkles
Halloween sprinkles (skulls and bones are extra cute)
Candy eyeballs
Pretzel sticks (broken in half for the “stir sticks”)

How to Make Cauldron Cookies

Ready to conjure up some delicious Halloween magic? These Cauldron Cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat—and no magic wand required. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a tray full of bubbling chocolate cauldrons ready to wow your crowd.

1. Prep Your Pans

First things first—preheat your oven to 350°F. Then lightly grease three 12-count mini muffin pans. This step is key because we want those cookie cups to pop out like a charm once they’re baked and cooled.

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the Devil’s Food cake mix, eggs, oil, and a few drops of black food coloring (if you’re going for that ultra-spooky cauldron effect). The dough will be thick—think playdough consistency—but that’s exactly what you want. Don’t be tempted to overmix!

3. Shape and Bake

Scoop about 1/2 tablespoon of dough into each muffin cup. Pro tip: flatten the tops gently with your fingers before baking so they don’t rise too much—you want a nice flat surface to hold the “potion.” Pop them into the oven and bake for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges look set.

4. Create the Cauldron Well

This part is oddly satisfying. As soon as they come out of the oven (yes, while they’re still warm), use a round tablespoon measuring spoon to press a well into the center of each cookie. This is your cauldron basin. Let them cool completely in the pans before transferring to a wire rack.

5. Whip Up the Buttercream

While your cookie cauldrons cool, make the green potion. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Slowly add in powdered sugar, vanilla, a pinch of salt, and just enough milk to get a creamy, spreadable texture. Add your green food coloring and mix until it’s a vibrant potion-green. Adjust the color as needed until it looks positively magical.

6. Assemble the Cauldrons

Once your cookie cups are cool and your frosting is ready, it’s showtime! Transfer the buttercream into a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off) and pipe a generous swirl of green frosting into each well. Don’t worry about being perfect—the more “bubbly” it looks, the better.

7. Deck Them Out

Now comes the fun part—decorating! Add green sprinkles to enhance the bubbling effect, toss on a few candy eyeballs for some eerie personality, and sprinkle in Halloween-themed sprinkles like skulls or bones. Finally, insert half a pretzel stick into each one to mimic a tiny wooden stir stick. Cute, creepy, and totally delightful.

Flatten that dough: If you skip this step, you’ll get muffin tops instead of potion cups.
Don’t overbake: You want them chewy, not crunchy.
No piping bag? Use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Works like a charm!

Halloween Cauldron Cookies decorated with green frosting, candy eyes, sprinkles, and pretzel sticks on a light background. — These Cauldron Cookies bring Halloween to life with green “potion” frosting, candy eyeballs, and spooky sprinkles!

FAQs About Cauldron Cookies

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Sure! Devil’s Food gives that dark cauldron look, but chocolate fudge or even black velvet cake mix would work great.

How should I store leftovers?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If it’s warm where you live, refrigerate and bring to room temp before serving.

Can kids help make these?

Absolutely! Let them decorate their own cauldrons—it’s messy fun and keeps little hands busy.

What if I don’t have mini muffin pans?

You can try regular muffin tins, but only fill them partway and adjust the baking time slightly. Just don’t skip the indenting step!

A Sweetly Spooky Sendoff

Whether you’re throwing a Halloween bash or just need a little treat to brighten a gray October day, Cauldron Cookies are pure magic. They’re easy enough to make on a weeknight and fun enough to feel like a celebration. Plus, they look like you spent way more time on them than you actually did—which is my favorite kind of kitchen sorcery.

Whip up a batch and let your inner witch shine. Happy haunting!

More Spook-tacular Recipes You’ll Love

Looking for more Halloween and fall-themed treats to complete your party table or cozy night in? Here are some delicious ideas to inspire your next bake:

Pair these Cauldron Cookies with our equally festive Creepy-Cute Spiderweb Pizza Bites for a savory-sweet combo kids will love.
If you’re craving more spooky desserts, don’t miss our Bloody Red Velvet Popcorn—perfect for movie night.
Add some hearty fall comfort with a bowl of our Witch’s Cauldron Beef Stew—yes, it’s as magical as it sounds.
And if you’re looking to finish the night with a spoonful of indulgence, our Slow Cooker Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake is always a crowd-pleaser.

Bookmark these recipes to round out your Halloween feast—or just to add a little more cozy to your fall lineup!