There’s something magical about Halloween treats that look spooky but taste deliciously sweet. These Black Licorice Bats have been my go-to no-bake creation for years – they’re so simple, even my 8-year-old niece can help make them (though she always sneaks a few licorice pieces when she thinks I’m not looking!).
I first stumbled upon this recipe when I needed a last-minute treat for a costume party. With just five basic ingredients and 15 minutes, you can transform ordinary black licorice into a whole colony of bat-shaped goodies. The chewy texture and deep black color make them perfect for Halloween parties, trick-or-treat bags, or just a fun afternoon baking project with kids. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never look at black licorice the same way again!
Ingredients for Black Licorice Bats
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these spooky little creatures. I always keep these ingredients on hand during October – they’re that easy to grab when the Halloween baking mood strikes!
- 1 cup black licorice, cut into small pieces (trust me, smaller pieces melt faster)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (the magic thickener)
- ¼ cup water (just regular tap water works fine)
- ½ cup powdered sugar, packed (this gives our bats that perfect chew)
- Black food coloring (optional, but makes them extra bat-worthy!)
See? Nothing fancy needed. Just basic pantry staples that transform into something wonderfully creepy (and delicious). The food coloring’s completely optional, but I love how it makes the bats look properly midnight-black – just like real ones!
How to Make Black Licorice Bats
Okay, here’s where the real Halloween magic happens! Making these black licorice bats is so simple you’ll laugh – but I’ve got some little tricks to make them perfect every time. Follow these steps and you’ll have a whole bat colony ready to take flight in no time!
Mixing the Licorice Base
First things first – grab a microwave-safe bowl (I use my favorite old Pyrex) and whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Now toss in those chopped-up licorice pieces – this is when things start smelling amazing! Pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Watch closely! Licorice can go from melted to scorched real quick if you overdo it.
When the timer goes off, give it a good stir. At first it’ll look like nothing’s happening, but keep stirring! Within about a minute, you’ll have this gloriously gooey black mass that’s ready for the next step. If it seems too thick, add just a teaspoon of water at a time until it’s smooth.
Shaping the Bats
Now dump in that powdered sugar and get ready to knead! I usually use a wooden spoon at first (it’s hot!), then dive in with clean hands once it’s cool enough. You want a dough that’s pliable but not sticky – sort of like Play-Doh consistency.
Roll it out to about ¼-inch thickness on a surface dusted with powdered sugar. Here comes the fun part – bat cutters! If you don’t have bat-shaped cutters (I bought mine at a Halloween clearance sale years ago), you can freehand wings with a knife. Pro tip: If the dough gets too warm and sticky, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up.
Let your little bats rest on parchment paper until completely cool – about 15 minutes. The wait is torture, but it makes them perfectly chewy instead of sticky!
Tips for Perfect Black Licorice Bats
After making dozens of batches (some more successful than others!), I’ve picked up some tricks that’ll guarantee bat-making success every time:
- Go darker! Add an extra drop or two of black food coloring – it makes the bats look properly spooky and helps cover any licorice streaks.
- Roll evenly. Keep your dough at a consistent ¼-inch thickness so all your bats cook and cool at the same rate.
- Powder up. Dust your rolling surface and cutter with powdered sugar to prevent sticking disasters.
- Store smart. These little guys dry out fast! Keep them in an airtight container with parchment between layers.
- Chill out. If your kitchen’s warm, chill the dough for 10 minutes before cutting – it makes cleaner edges.
Bonus tip: Make extras! These disappear faster than candy corn at a Halloween party. For more Halloween treat inspiration, check out these Halloween dessert recipes.
Ingredient Substitutions
Out of something? No worries – these bats are flexible! For vegan friends, swap regular licorice for vegan black licorice (check health food stores). No cornstarch? Arrowroot powder works just fine. And if you can’t find black food coloring, melt extra dark chocolate chips into the mix for rich color and flavor. See? Halloween magic!
Storing Black Licorice Bats
These little guys vanish fast at parties, but if you’ve got leftovers (ha!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. In humid climates, pop them in the fridge – they’ll keep their chewy texture better that way. Just let them come to room temperature before serving again!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the skinny on these spooky treats (per bat): about 50 calories and 12g carbs – not bad for Halloween! These are estimates, but each little bat packs about 10g sugar from the licorice and powdered sugar. They’re fat-free, which means more room for that second bat… or third!
FAQs About Black Licorice Bats
I get asked these questions every Halloween – here’s everything you need to know about these spooky no-bake treats!
Can I use red licorice instead of black?
You can, but the flavor and color will be totally different! Black licorice gives that authentic bat look and distinctive taste. Red licorice makes pink bats that are sweeter and fruitier – fun for Valentine’s Day bats maybe, but not quite right for Halloween.
How long do these bats last?
In an airtight container, your bat colony will stay fresh for 4-5 days. They might get slightly firmer over time but stay delicious. Pro tip: If they harden up, microwave one for 5 seconds to bring back that perfect chew!
Can kids help make these?
Absolutely! My niece calls this our “bat-making factory day.” Kids love cutting shapes and kneading the dough (with clean hands, of course). Just supervise the microwaving part. It’s a fantastic first cooking project that teaches measuring and following steps while making something fun! For more fun kid-friendly snacks, check out our other recipes.
Share Your Creations
Did your bat colony turn out perfectly creepy? I’d love to see! Tag me on Instagram with your spooky creations – nothing makes me happier than spotting my recipe in someone else’s kitchen. Let’s flood social media with batty treats this Halloween!
Spooky 15-Minute Black Licorice Bats Kids Love
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 12 bats 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A sweet and chewy Halloween treat shaped like bats made with black licorice.
Ingredients
- 1 cup black licorice (cut into small pieces)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- Black food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Mix cornstarch and water in a bowl.
- Add licorice pieces and microwave for 30 seconds.
- Stir until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and knead into a dough.
- Roll dough flat and cut into bat shapes.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container.
- Add extra food coloring for darker bats.
- Use cookie cutters for uniform shapes.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bat
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
