Name: Cauldron Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (15.25 ounce) box Devil’s Food cake mix; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil; Black food coloring (optional); 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1-3 tablespoons milk; Green food coloring; Round green sprinkles; Halloween sprinkles; Candy eyeballs; Pretzel sticks (broken)

Ingredients

1 (15.25 ounce) box Devil’s Food cake mix

2 large eggs

1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil

Black food coloring (optional)

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

3 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

1-3 tablespoons milk

Green food coloring

Round green sprinkles

Halloween sprinkles

Candy eyeballs

Pretzel sticks

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Devil’s Food cake mix, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil, and optional black food coloring. Mix well until a thick, uniform dough forms.

Step 3: Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. Do not overbake.

Step 4: Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Ensure cookies are fully cooled before glazing.

Step 5: In a medium bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until the glaze is smooth and spreadable. Stir in green food coloring until a vibrant green color is achieved.

Step 6: Once cookies are completely cool, spread a generous amount of green glaze onto the top of each cookie. Immediately adorn with round green sprinkles, Halloween sprinkles, candy eyeballs, and a broken pretzel stick (for the “cauldron handle”) while the glaze is still wet and tacky.

Step 7: Place adorned Cauldron Cookies back on the wire rack and allow the glaze to set completely (30 minutes to 2 hours). Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.

Tips & Variations

For a deeper chocolate flavor, add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the cake mix dough.

Use different colored sprinkles to create a unique potion effect.

If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the milk slightly or add more powdered sugar.

Substitute pretzel sticks with black licorice pieces for a different “handle” look.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

These cookies rely on the Devil’s Food cake mix, which typically contains gluten. To make a gluten-free version, look for a gluten-free chocolate cake mix and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.

Can I prepare these cookies in advance?

You can bake the cookies a day ahead and store them unglazed in an airtight container. Decorate and glaze them a few hours before serving to keep the toppings fresh and vibrant.