Like dump cakes or dirt cake, “trash cookies” are one of the concepts that sound gross in name but are delicious in practice. Not too long ago, we shared the recipe for Santa’s Trash. Now, just in time for trick-or-treat season, we bring you the recipe for Halloween trash cookies—and it’s spooky good!
If you’ve ever faced a glut of leftover Halloween candy (we know—it’s a foreign concept to us, too) and don’t know what to do with all the mini Reese’s and packs of M&Ms, trash cookies are for you.
What’s in the Recipe?
Technically, anything goes here. You can make a basic cookie dough, but don’t have to start from scratch. It’s fine to use premade cookie dough here. Then, prepare the filling by chopping up candy like:
- M&M’s
- Rolos
- Twix
- Butterfinger
- Three Musketeers
You can also use candy corn or sour gummies to make things weird—or balance our the sugar by adding salty nuts, pretzels or potato chips to the mix. Then, bake according to directions on the dough packaging or in our basic dough recipe.
If you’re inspired but like to have a more formal recipe, check out our candy bar apple salad and Butterfinger cookie bars, plus a dozen other options for using up more of your Halloween stash.
How to Celebrate Halloween in 2020
It’s possible that trick-or-treating could be adapted to our changing times and Halloween will look a little different this year. You can skip the parades and haunted houses and still have a spooky fall holiday, though. We like the idea of sending treats to friends and family, and this recipe for Halloween trash cookies is the perfect thing to share. Don’t miss all of our cute Halloween ideas to help you celebrate this year!
More of Our Favorite Halloween Cookies
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Halloween Peanut Butter Cookie Pops
A miniature candy bar is hidden inside these fun pops. Colored frosting and candy faces make these addicting cookie pops the perfect Halloween treat. —Martha Hoover, Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Pumpkin Spice Cutouts
Through all the years I've been baking, I’ve never come across a pumpkin cookie recipe that you can actually cut out with cookie cutters. (Most I’ve found are drop cookies.) Each bite tastes just like pumpkin pie—delicious! —Marion Kearley, Ladner, British Columbia
Candy Corn Cookies
Get a head start on these buttery cookies by shaping and chilling the homemade dough ahead of time. When you're ready, just slice and bake the tricolor treats. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Halloween Party Cutout Cookies
I've been making these Halloween cookies for about 40 years—first for my children and now my grandchildren and all their friends, too. I make about 20 trays a year to give away to trick-or-treaters. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Caramel Apple Bites
Kids can help make these perfect fall bites by dipping the baked cookies in caramel and nuts. It's a fun food craft for all of us. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Tombstone Treats
My brother loves Rice Krispies squares, and my mom loves sugar cookies. I came up with a cute treat they'd both like.
Kiss from a Vampire Cookies
Raspberry jam eerily oozes from these soft butter cookies. One bite, and you'll have a hard time stopping! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mini Meringue Pumpkins
Cast a sweet spell over your Halloween party guests by making a pumpkin patch’s worth of treats. It’s easy to use this basic meringue recipe spiced with pumpkin flavor to scare up fun cookies. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Magic Macaroons
Peanut butter, candy corn and macaroons are three of my favorite things, so I combine them all to make one magical sweet that's perfect for Halloween. —Jeanette Nelson, Bridgeport, West Virginia
Freaky Frankenstein Cookies
They're alive! Each year when the Halloween invites start coming my way, I create a little treat to bring. These cute cookies bring a lot of life to every party. —Philia Kelnhofer, West Allis, Wisconsin
Ghost Shortbread Cookies
Pac-Man was my favorite video game when I was growing up. For a party, I decided to get creative and shape my go-to sugar cookies into the ghosts from the game. —Jamie S, Regina, Saskatchewan
Pumpkin Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting
The recipe for these pleasantly spiced pumpkin cookies won a champion ribbon at our local county fair. These are a family favorite, and everyone enjoys the soft, cake-like texture. —Robin Nagel, Whitehall, Montana
"Boo"-rrific Kisses
The Taste of Home Test Kitchen turned cute meringue cookies into these whimsical kisses, perfect for Halloween. With just 15 calories, each little treat can be enjoyed guilt-free! —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
Autumn Leaf Cutouts
Turn classic cookies into a platter of autumn leaves. Make them in solid colors, or combine pieces of tinted dough for a multicolored effect. — Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Eyeball Cookies
All eyes will definitely be on these adorable cookies when they're set on any buffet table. I created them for my son's kindergarten class for Halloween. —Sherry Lee, Columbus, Ohio
Glazed Maple Shortbread Cookies
Whenever I visit friends in Lutsen, Minnesota, I make sure to buy maple syrup there because I think it's even better than in Quebec. These delicious cookies can be decorated with sprinkles but they're just fine as is.—Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Honey-Date Pumpkin Cookies
Just in time for harvest, here are some delicious drop cookies, plump with dates, pumpkins and nuts. The old-fashioned cream cheese frosting will remind you of Grandma’s kitchen.—Eunice Stoen, Decorah, IA
Day of the Dead Cookies
I make these Day of the Dead cookies for all occasions. In the spring, I cut them in flower shapes and insert a lollipop stick in them to make a bouquet. Using candies, food coloring and a wild imagination, try your hand at this Halloween-inspired version. —Kristine Fossmeyer, Huntley, Illinois
Pumpkin Cookie Pops
These cookie pops are a great way to liven up a Halloween party. Kids love them! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Bones & Blood
Like a zombie, you'll be desperate for more of these bone-shaped cookies and dip. Fight nicely over them—no biting! —Taste of Home Food Styling Team
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Tassies
This pumpkin and chocolate cookie has a special feel that makes it perfect for a holiday dessert table. If you don’t have a pastry tip, use a freezer bag to pipe the buttercream into the cookie cup. It works well for me. —Laura Milanowski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Gingerbread Skeletons
Any small gingerbread boy cookie cutter can take on new "life" with these classic cookies. Give him some cat friends, too. The more the merrier! —Dore' Merrick Grabski, Utica, New York
Cinnamon Bun Cookies
I love cinnamon rolls, but working with yeast can be scary. These cookies give you the taste of a cinnamon roll in cookie form—no yeast required! They look like flattened cinnamon rolls and feel special enough to serve around the holidays. —Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois
Halloween Chocolate Cookie Pops
Our children look forward to making these cute cookies each year. They've become experts at making silly faces with little candies.
Owl Cookies
I came up with these cookies as a treat for my kids’ class parties. Not only do they look cute, but they are also delicious.—Starrlette Howard, Ogden, Utah
Meringue Bones
This unique treatment for meringue travels well, too! You will certainly get requests for the recipe, and folks will be surprised at how simple it is! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
My kids start begging me for these cakelike sandwich cookies as soon as autumn arrives. I haven't met a person yet who doesn't like these fun treats. —Deb Stuber, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Quick Ghost Cookies
Spruce up store-bought cookies for the holiday. These are a real hit with "goblins" of all ages. —Denise Smith, Lusk, Wyoming
Frightening Fingers
These cookies have become somewhat famous at the school our children attend. One year, I made more than 150 of these "fingers" for their classroom Halloween parties.—Natalie Hyde, Cambridge, Ontario
Caramel-Apple Shortbread Cookies
There is nothing like seeing my friends almost melt to the floor when they bite into something I made. These cookies never fail to elicit oohs and aahs. —Amber Taylor, Lenoir City, TennesseeThe post ‘Halloween Trash’ Cookies Will Be Your New Favorite Spooky Season Recipe appeared first on Taste of Home.
Krista Garcia