Spider Nest Candies Recipes

SPIDER NEST CANDIES

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt baking chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Remove from the heat. Stir in chow mein noodles until well coated., Divide into 15 mounds on a piece of waxed paper. Shape into nests; add a spider candy and jelly beans for eggs to each. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.

CANDY SPIDERS

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil.
• Unroll the wheels of black string licorice and cut it into segments about 1 1/2-inch long. If you have regular black licorice, cut it into quarters lengthwise, then cut the long strips into small 1 1/2-inch segments.
• Arrange the black licorice segments in groups of 8 on the baking sheet, forming a starburst pattern to represent the spider's legs. The body will cover the center portion of the starburst, so don't worry about exact placement.
• Place the chocolate chips in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave them until melted, stirring after every minute to prevent overheating.
• Add the marshmallows and the crisped rice cereal to the chocolate and stir until the candy is well-mixed.
• Using a teaspoon, drop small clumps of the candy mixture onto the prepared leg clusters, making sure that the spider's body is centered in the middle of the legs.
• While the chocolate is still wet, add two small candies to represent the spider's eyes.
• Place the tray of spiders in the refrigerator to set the chocolate, about 30 minutes.
• Serve at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE SPIDERS

Steps:

• Chop the chocolate confectioners' coating and place into a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Cook, stirring occasionally until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the chow mein noodles so they are evenly distributed. Spoon out to desired size onto waxed paper. Let cool completely before storing or serving.

SPIDER'S NEST DIP

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and 1/2 packet of taco seasoning with 1 cup of the sour cream (hold the rest of the sour cream to decorate). Set mixture aside.
• Spread a thin layer of refried beans in the bottom of a microwaveable serving dish. Add a layer of shredded cheese. Heat dish in microwave for 1 minute, until cheese is slightly melted.
• Drain the salsa and layer it over the cheese. Drain the olives and layer over the salsa. Add a layer of the sour cream mixture. Add a layer of guacamole.
• To decorate the top, spoon a medium sized dollop of sour cream in the center. This is the spider's "nest."
• Spoon the rest of the sour cream into an air-tight bag. Cut a very small piece out of 1 of the bottom corners of the bag and, starting at the outer edge of the dip, pipe a thin circle around the perimeter. Create another circle half way between the perimeter circle and the center dollop, creating 3 circles.
• Using a knife blade, toothpick or skewer, drag a thin line of the sour cream from the "nest" outward toward the edge of the dish. Continue making lines all around the "nest" to complete the spider web design. Position whole black beans onto the sour cream "web."
• Embellish with plastic decorative spiders. Serve with a bowl of blue tortilla chips, and watch your guests scurry to get a bite!

EASTER BIRD'S NESTS

Steps:

• Cook and stir marshmallows, peanut butter, and butter in a saucepan over medium heat until the marshmallows melt completely into the mixture, about 5 minutes.
• Put chow mein noodles into a large bowl. Pour marshmallow mixture over the chow mein noodles; stir to coat.
• Spray hands with cooking spray or coat with butter so the noodles will not stick to your hands. Scoop noodle mixture from bowl with an ice cream scoop and form into balls, hollowing the center out to create the nest. Arrange 4 chocolate eggs into each nest.

SPIDER NEST CAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line muffin tins with 15 muffin cases (bake a second batch of the extra 3 if you only have one 12-hole tin). Beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, flour, vanilla and milk in that order. Quickly stir in the hundreds & thousands with as little effort as you can, then divide the mixture between the cases - the more you work the batter, the more the sprinkles will bleed their colour, so it's best to do this quickly and efficiently. Bake for 20 mins until a skewer inserted in the centre of the cakes comes out clean. Leave to cool.
• Peel off the paper cases, and turn the cakes upside down. Cover with cling film until it's nearly party time.
• Just before the party, mix a splash of water into some sifted icing sugar, and add a good blob to the top of each cake. Tease off some candy floss and stick a little pile on each - the less you handle it, the less it will disintegrate. Add a toy spider to each, or make your own - stick 4 long liquorice lace strands to the back of giant chocolate buttons with some more runny icing, flip over and leave to set.