Name: Black Cat Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (15.25 ounce) box Devil’s Food cake mix; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil (reduce to 1/3 cup if using a 13.25 ounce cake mix); black food coloring (optional); 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar; 1/4 cup black cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; pinch of salt; 1-3 tablespoons milk; 40 green or yellow M&Ms; black edible marker; 20 large heart-shaped sprinkles; black licorice; Hershey chocolate bars

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 7 reviews

If you’re looking for a quirky, fun, and absolutely delicious treat to bake, you’ve got to try this Black Cat Cookies Recipe. I promise, these cookies will enchant your taste buds and steal the show at any gathering — plus, they’re oddly satisfying to decorate! Whether you’re baking for a Halloween party or just want a playful dessert, these black cat cookies are as tasty as they are adorable.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Base: Using Devil’s Food cake mix streamlines the cookie dough prep without losing that rich chocolate flavor.
Moist & Soft Texture: The combination of eggs and oil keeps the cookies tender, and they stay soft even after baking.
Creative Frosting: Black cocoa powder in the frosting gives it depth and a velvety finish, perfect for decorating.
Fun, Edible Decor: Using M&Ms, licorice, and heart-shaped sprinkles turns simple cookies into charming black cats everyone will love.

Black Cat Cookies, Halloween cookies, cute chocolate cookies, festive cookie recipes, decorative cookie ideas - The image shows six round chocolate cookies arranged on a large white plate, each decorated to look like a black cat face. Every cookie has a thick dark chocolate frosting layer as the base. Two bright yellow candy eyes with black vertical slits sit near the top center of each cookie. Below the eyes, there is a small pink heart-shaped candy for the nose. Thin, brown licorice strips are placed on both sides of the nose to form whiskers. Two small, triangular pieces of chocolate are placed at the top edge of each cookie to create cat ears. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with two small black plastic spiders nearby for decoration. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Black Cat Cookies Recipe cleverly uses a mix of readily available ingredients you might already have. Each one plays a part in creating cookies that are rich, moist, and bursting with chocolate flavor, while the frosting brings the striking black cat look to life.

Black Cat Cookies, Halloween cookies, cute chocolate cookies, festive cookie recipes, decorative cookie ideas - Flat lay of rich dark Devil’s Food cake mix box with deep brown cocoa powder spilling beside it, two large glossy brown eggs, smooth golden vegetable oil in a small glass jar, vivid green and bright yellow M&Ms with shiny surfaces, large red heart-shaped sprinkles with a matte texture, slender shiny black licorice sticks, and solid dark brown Hershey chocolate bars broken into triangles, all beautifully arranged in a natural, slightly scattered pattern to highlight textures and colors, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Devil’s Food cake mix: Acts as the chocolatey base with just the right amount of sweetness and moisture.
Eggs: Bind everything together while adding richness and moisture.
Canola or vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies soft and tender; easy to switch up if you want a healthier oil.
Black food coloring (optional): For an extra deep black color if you want more dramatic cookies.
Unsalted butter: The star in the frosting, helps it become creamy and spreadable.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting perfectly.
Black cocoa powder: This is key for that rich, dark color and subtle cocoa bitterness in the frosting.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and enhances the chocolate flavors.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and lifts all flavors.
Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency to make it smooth and spreadable.
M&Ms: Create the adorable eyes with a pop of color.
Black edible marker: For drawing pupils on the M&Ms – so clever and fun!
Heart-shaped sprinkles: Form the nose – flipping them upside down gives just the right shape.
Black licorice: Cut into whiskers; the perfect chewy contrast.
Hershey chocolate bars: Cut and shaped into pointy ears – genius and tasty.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

This cookie recipe is wonderfully customizable, so feel free to make it your own. I’ve played around with the frosting consistency and decoration ideas to fit different occasions — and it’s always a hit!

Variation: I once swapped the black cocoa powder for regular cocoa and just added extra black food coloring — the cookies tasted just as good, but the color wasn’t as intense.
Dietary Adjustment: To make these dairy-free, use a vegan butter alternative and a dairy-free milk like almond or oat milk in the frosting.
Seasonal Twist: Around Christmas, I swapped the heart-shaped sprinkles for tiny red bows — still cute, but more festive.

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

Step 1: Whip Up the Cookie Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper—trust me, your cookies will thank you when they don’t stick. In a large bowl, mix the Devil’s Food cake mix, eggs, and oil. I like to reduce the oil slightly if I’m using the smaller 13.25-ounce cake mix just to keep the dough perfectly balanced. If you want those cookies *really* black, I usually add a few drops of black food coloring here and mix until it’s uniform.

Step 2: Scoop and Bake

Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to drop 1½ tablespoon-sized dough balls onto your baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart—you want room for the cookies to spread a bit without merging. Don’t flatten them out; letting them bake as thick balls keeps them chewy. Bake for 8–10 minutes—that sweet spot where the edges firm but the centers stay soft (don’t worry, they set as they cool). Let them hang out on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 3: Make the Black Cocoa Frosting

While the cookies chill out, it’s frosting time! Beat your softened butter until creamy — the easier it whips, the smoother your frosting will be. Then slowly add powdered sugar, black cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Start with a tablespoon of milk and add more if needed to get a spreadable, smooth consistency. I like mine luscious but not runny, so keep an eye on that milk quantity.

Step 4: The Fun Part — Decorating Your Black Cats

Once your cookies are completely cool (very important!), spread a generous layer of that luscious black frosting on top. Using your black edible marker, carefully dot pupils onto your green or yellow M&Ms (it makes the eyes come to life, trust me!). Press two M&Ms on each cookie for eyes, then flip one heart-shaped sprinkle upside down just beneath for the nose. Cut small pieces of black licorice with clean kitchen shears into whiskers and gently press them around the nose into the frosting. Finally, shape your Hershey chocolate bar pieces into pointy ears and press them carefully into the top of the cookie. Let the frosting set for a few minutes before serving.

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Pro Tips for Making Black Cat Cookies Recipe

Perfect Dough Consistency: If your dough feels too oily, reduce the oil slightly next time, especially when using smaller cake mix boxes.
Frosting Smoothness: Sift your black cocoa powder before adding to prevent clumps in your frosting.
Edible Marker Use: Let the M&Ms dry for a minute after dotting the pupils before placing them on the frosting to avoid smudging.
Avoiding Soft Frosting Mess: Let the frosting set a bit before adding decorations to keep everything neat and tidy.

How to Serve Black Cat Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love to display these cookies with a little extra flair — sometimes a dusting of powdered sugar “moonlight” around the platter or a few edible glitter sprinkles on the ears to catch the light. It’s playful and adds a magical touch, especially for Halloween or themed parties.

Side Dishes

Pair these black cat cookies with a big glass of cold milk or a warm cup of chai tea for a cozy combo. If you want to serve them at a party, a simple fruit platter with dark berries complements the chocolatey richness nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged the cookies on a slate board sprinkled with edible gold dust and used tiny orange candles around. It created a spooky but elegant “witches’ gathering” vibe that guests still talk about. You could also package individual cookies in cellophane bags tied with black ribbon for adorable little party favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover black cat cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. They stay fresh for about 3-4 days, soft and delicious. Just avoid piling them up so the decorations don’t get squished!

Freezing

For longer storage, I flash-freeze the cookies on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. That way, they keep well for up to 3 months without losing their shape or flavor.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy these cookies slightly warm, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds — just enough to soften the frosting lightly without melting it completely. This little trick makes the chocolate flavors even more comforting.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix for this Black Cat Cookies Recipe?

You can, but Devil’s Food cake mix gives the best rich chocolate flavor and dark color that’s perfect for the black cat theme. If you use a lighter cake mix, consider adding black food coloring and increasing the cocoa in the frosting to keep that dramatic look.
What if I don’t have black edible markers for decorating the eyes?

If you don’t have edible markers, you can use a small dab of melted chocolate or black icing to dot the pupils on the M&Ms. Just let them dry completely before placing them on the cookie.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

This recipe relies on cake mix, which is usually not gluten-free. However, if you can find a gluten-free chocolate cake mix that behaves similarly, you might be able to swap it in. Just keep in mind the texture and baking times may vary.
How long do Black Cat Cookies keep their freshness?

Stored right at room temperature in an airtight container away from light, these cookies stay fresh and soft for about 3 to 4 days. After that, they may start to lose tenderness but are still delicious.

Final Thoughts

I still smile every time I make this Black Cat Cookies Recipe — it’s just so satisfying to turn simple ingredients into a quirky, chocolaty little work of art that everyone wants to snap photos of before eating. If you’re looking for a recipe that’s easy, fun, and consistently delicious, this one has your name on it. Give it a try for your next bake day and prepare for lots of compliments (and requests for the recipe!).