Spider Recipes

EDIBLE SPIDERS

Steps:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and butter. Microwave until melted. Stir occasionally until chocolate is smooth. Pour chocolate into a sealable plastic bag and set aside.
• Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Stick 4 chow mein noodles into each side of marshmallow for legs, and arrange on wax paper. Using scissors, cut one corner off the bag of melted chocolate. Drizzle over the marshmallow spiders. Attach 2 candies to each marshmallow for eyes. Chill until chocolate hardens.

DEEP-FRIED TARANTULA SPIDER

Steps:

• In a deep saucepan or deep-fat fryer, heat the oil to 350°F.
• With a sharp knife, sever and discard the abdomens from the two tarantulas. Singe off any of the spider's body hairs with a crème brûlée torch or butane cigarette lighter.
• Dip each spider into the tempura batter to thoroughly coat. Use a slotted spoon or your hands to make sure each spider is spread-eagled (so to speak) and not clumped together before dropping it into the hot oil.
• Deep-fry the spiders, one at a time, until the batter is lightly browned, about 1 minute. Remove each spider from the oil and place it on paper towels to drain.
• Use a sharp knife to cut each spider in two lengthwise. Sprinkle with the paprika and serve. Encourage your guests to try the legs first and, if still hungry, to nibble on the meat-filled mesothorax, avoiding the spider's paired fangs, which are tucked away in the head region.

SPIDER

Steps:

• Place scoops of ice cream in the bottom of a tall glass.
• Add the carbonated beverage/soda/fizzy drink.
• Watch that the froth does not overflow.

SWEETIE SPIDERS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together the confectioners' sugar and enough water, 3 to 4 drops, to form a thick paste; reserve. Cut the licorice strings in half. Stick 4 halves into the cream on each side of the cookie to form the legs. Using the confectioners' sugar paste as glue, adhere 2 cinnamon candies on the top of the cookies to form the eyes. Eat-if you dare!

SPIDER ROLL

Steps:

• Preheat oil to 350 degrees F.
• Dip soft-shell crab into tempura batter. Fry crab until it turns golden brown. Remove and place on paper towels to drain. Cut into thirds. Place all ingredients on bamboo mat in the following order: nori, rice, crab, avocado, and spicy mayonnaise and roll in a jelly roll fashion.
• Place all ingredients except oil in blender. On medium speed, slowly add the oil to emulsify into mayonnaise.
• In a mixing bowl, blend the dry ingredients. Stir in the egg, and while stirring, pour in the seltzer, 1/2 cup at a time. Stir to completely combine ingredients. Add enough seltzer so that the blend is the consistency of unwhipped heavy cream. Stir in a few ice cubes to keep the batter very cold.

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 CUPCAKES

Steps:

• Mini Chocolate Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line mini muffin tins with paper liners. Sift cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Add eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and mix until smooth.
• Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to wire racks, and let cool. Cupcakes will keep, covered, for up to 3 days.
• Swiss Meringue Buttercream: Combine egg whites, sugar, and salt in the heatproof bowl of a standing mixer set over (not in) a pan of simmering water. Whisk constantly by hand until mixture is warm to the touch and sugar has dissolved.
• Attach the bowl to the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Starting on low and gradually increasing to medium-high speed, whisk until the mixture is fluffy, glossy, and completely cool, about 10 minutes.
• With mixer on medium-low speed, add the butter a few tablespoons at a time, mixing well after each addition. Whisk in vanilla. Switch to the paddle attachment, and beat on low speed until air bubbles are eliminated and the frosting is completely smooth. Keep buttercream at room temperature if using the same day, or refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. Before using, bring to room temperature and beat with paddle attachment on low speed until smooth again.
• Frost mini cupcakes with buttercream, then cover tops with sanding sugar. For each spider, use 2 cinnamon candies for eyes. For legs, attach 8 pieces of licorice. For fangs, cut out tiny cone shapes from a marshmallow and attach.

CREEPY SPIDERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, butter and egg (dough will be stiff). Shape into 1-in. balls. , Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until set. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks., Spread a heaping teaspoonful of frosting over the bottom of half of the cookies. Place four licorice pieces on each side of cookies for spider legs; top with remaining cookies. For eyes, attach two red-hot candies with frosting to top of spider.

SPIDER COOKIES

Steps:

• Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter with granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla; beat to combine.
• Reduce speed to low and add half of flour mixture, then buttermilk, then remaining flour mixture, beating until just combined. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scoop dough into 1 1/2-inch balls; place on parchment-lined baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake, rotating halfway through, until bottoms are golden, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets.
• Meanwhile, in another small bowl, whisk together 1 cup confectioners' sugar, cocoa, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice. Add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until mixture forms a loose but pipeable glaze. Transfer half of mixture to a resealable plastic bag; snip a small hole in one corner.
• In another bowl, whisk together remaining 1 cup confectioners' sugar and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice. Add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until mixture forms a loose but pipeable glaze. Transfer half to another resealable bag; snip a small hole in one corner.
• Working with a few cookies at a time, dip flat sides into remaining icing in bowls (some chocolate, some white), allowing excess to drip off. Transfer, flat-sides up, to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet.
• While glaze is still wet, pipe rings with alternate-color icings, starting in center and working your way to edges of cookies. Drag a toothpick from centers outward in 1/2-inch increments to create spider-web patterns. Place a raspberry candy on each cookie and decorate with licorice-lace legs, pressing into glaze to adhere.