Chauncey’s Chocolate Cookies: A Sweet Nightmare You Can Eat
Inspired by the 2024 horror flick Imaginary—a movie that proves childhood nostalgia can be downright terrifying. These cookies bring all the charm of a cuddly teddy bear…until you realize they’re hiding a sinister side (in this case, a dangerously rich chocolate flavor). So, if you’re in the mood to bake something deliciously dark with a nod to horror, you’re in the right place.
Chauncey: A Bear You Don’t Want to Hug
Forget Build-A-Bear; this one came pre-assembled… with trauma. Imaginary (directed by Jeff Wadlow) delivers a sinister twist on every kid’s ultimate betrayal — when the imaginary friend you ditched grows claws, teeth, and a vendetta. The movie centers on Jessica (DeWanda Wise), who returns to her childhood home only to dig up a stuffed bear that’s totally miffed about being ghosted by her when she moved away.
Spoiler alert: It’s not just dust mites living in that plush body. Her stepdaughter, Alice, bonds with Chauncey, and let’s just say playtime turns more Child’s Play than Chuck-e-Cheese. Imaginary isn’t just a story about a creepy old teddy bear; it’s a psychological exploration of childhood trust, betrayal, and the things we choose to leave behind — except some of them don’t stay put!
Think Child’s Play meets The Pit, but Chauncey doesn’t rely on jump scares alone, forcing you to question what’s more terrifying: the tangible monsters we can see, or the invisible ones we create ourselves.
So how do we honor this movie? With cookies. Duh.
What Makes This a Killer Recipe
- Easy to Make: No fancy equipment, no weird ingredients, and no elaborate steps. If you’ve got a bowl, a spoon, and a working oven, you’re already halfway there. Even if baking isn’t your strong suit, this recipe is practically foolproof.
- Easy to Decorate: A couple of sugar pearls, chocolate candies, and chocolate melting discs are all it takes to channel Chauncey’s creepy-yet-cute vibe.
- Classic Ingredients: This recipe uses pantry staples (flour, cocoa, sugar, butter) with a few extras—like espresso powder and almond extract—to elevate the flavor.
- One-Bowl Wonder: This recipe only dirties one bowl and a couple of measuring cups. You’ll spend more time eating cookies rather than cleaning up after them.
Chauncey's Chocolate Cookies inspired by Imaginary
- Prep Time10 min
- Cook Time15 min
- Total Time25 min
- Yield24 cookies
- Serving Size2 cookies
- Energy272 cal
What You Need
Cookie Dough
- 1 Cup (226g) salted butter, softened
- 3/4 Cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 Cups (250g) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled
- 1/3 Cup (27g) unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey’s Special Dark)
- 2 Tablespoons (30ml) hot water* (see note, step 2)
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder* (see note, step 2)
For Decorating
- Small cookie scoop (4 oz)
- Small black sugar pearls (found in the cake decorating section of most craft stores)
- Light brown candy melt discs (I used salted caramel flavor)
- Chocolate candy melt discs
- Brown M&M’s candies
- Toothpick
Method
For the Cookie Dough
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
- Heat the water and mix in the espresso powder using a microwave-safe dish until completely dissolved. Set aside. *Alternatively, you may substitute 2 Tablespoons of cooled espresso or strong brewed coffee instead of hot water and espresso powder.
- Using a mixer, beat butter until creamy, then add sugar and continue to beat until smooth. Add in the egg and flavoring extracts, mixing thoroughly.
- Mix in the flour and cocoa gradually while alternating with the espresso mixture until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Chill the dough for at least 1-2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Drop the dough onto the baking sheets using a small cookie scoop, leaving at least 2-3 inches between each cookie — they will spread and flatten out while baking. Bake for 12–15 minutes, just until the edges are set.
- Reduce the heat on the oven down to 200°F (93°C)
Join My Ghastly Gastronomic Community
Eager to join my spooky soirée? Summon up these Imaginary-inspired confections and cast a spell over your kitchen. Document your deadly delectables, share them with me on Instagram using #homicidalhomemaker, and invite me to your terror-filled tea party. And if you’re hungry for even more horror-themed cuisine, check out some of my other horror inspired recipes.
