Crispy Spiderwebs Food

HALLOWEEN CRISPY RICE TREATS

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with foil to overhang by an inch or two. Spray with cooking spray.
• Remove half the marshmallows from one bag and set aside. Divide the remaining 1 1/2 bags of marshmallows evenly between 2 large microwave-safe bowls. Divide the butter between the two bowls.
• Microwave one bowl until the marshmallows begin to melt, about 45 seconds. Stir well and microwave again until completely melted, about 30 seconds more. Add green gel food coloring and stir to turn the marshmallow mixture an even, vibrant green (see Cook's Note). Add half the rice cereal (4 1/2 cups), stirring well to coat the cereal completely and evenly. Repeat the melting process with the second bowl of marshmallows and butter, tint with purple gel food coloring and mix in the remaining 4 1/2 cups rice cereal.
• Grease your hands with cooking spray (or use disposable gloves). Using one hand for each color, dollop blobs of the cereal mixture in the prepared pan, randomly distributing it to make several mottled layers. Once you have used all of the cereal, press the mixture into the pan to even it out and smooth the top. Let cool and set completely, at least 1 hour.
• Use the foil overhang to lift the treats from the pan. Peel back the edges, flattening the foil to create a work surface for decorating. Trim the treat edges with a serrated knife to neaten if desired and cut into 9 rectangles. Separate the treats on the foil so there is a little space between each.
• Put the remaining half bag of marshmallows in a large microwave-safe large bowl. Microwave until the marshmallows begin to melt, about 45 seconds. Stir and microwave again until completely melted, about 30 seconds more. Stir until smooth. Set aside until the marshmallows are just cool enough to touch.
• Wearing disposable gloves, pull out a handful of the marshmallows and rub between your hands until you can pull long web-like strings when you separate them. Pull the strings and let them drape over the treats, scooping up more marshmallows as needed. Pull from different directions over the treats to create a web-like pattern.
• Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave at 50-percent power in 30-second intervals, stirring well with a rubber spatula between each, until completely melted and smooth. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a small, plain tip. Pipe 8 spider legs together on a treat and place a chocolate-covered peanut or jellybean, cut side down, on top of the legs to create a spider body. Make a spider on each treat.

SPIDERWEB DIRT CUPS

Steps:

• Whisk together the instant pudding mix and milk in a large bowl until smooth. Let sit until slightly set, 5 minutes.
• Whip the cream in another large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Add the cocoa powder and mix on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 1 minute. Transfer one-third of the whipped cream to the pudding and whisk until fully incorporated, then carefully fold in the remaining whipped cream with a rubber spatula.
• Divide half of the pudding mixture among 6 clear cups or glasses (each 9 fluid ounces), filling them about halfway. Top each cup with 1 heaping tablespoon of the crushed cookies, then nestle 2 or 3 gummy worms and 3 or 4 candy eyeballs into the "dirt," against the side of the cup so they are visible. Layer each cup with another heaping tablespoon of the crushed cookies and about 1/3 cup of the remaining pudding, then finish with 2 more heaping tablespoons of the crushed cookies. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Line a baking sheet with kitchen towels. To make the spiderwebs, fill a large bowl with crushed ice and a small amount of water. Press the ice down so the surface is as flat as possible. Transfer the melted wafers to a piping bag fitted with a medium round tip (or a resealable plastic bag with one corner snipped off). Pipe into the ice bath 4 intersecting lines to create a 3-inch asterisk, then pipe a circle just inside the asterisk and a smaller circle inside the first circle. Let the spiderweb set for 10 to 15 seconds then gently transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat to make 8 spiderwebs; since they are fragile it is good to have a couple extra.
• To make the spiders, arrange the gummy bears flat-side up. Use kitchen shears to snip 3 narrow triangles out of each short end, creating 4 legs on both sides of each spider.
• Place a spiderweb on each dirt cup then top with a gummy spider. Serve cold.

SPIDER WEB DEVILED EGGS

Steps:

• Combine 2 quarts water with the food coloring in a saucepot. Gently place the eggs in the water. Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover, remove from the heat and set aside for 10 minutes.
• Remove the eggs from the water and place on paper towels. Lightly tap the eggs with a spoon to crack the shells. Transfer the eggs to a container with some ice and pour the cooking liquid over the eggs. Chill until completely cold.
• Gently peel the eggs. Slice a thin sliver off the narrow end of each egg so the eggs can stand upright when plated. Cut off the wide end of each egg and use a small spoon or the tip of a butter knife to gently scoop out the egg yolk into a mini food processor or mixing bowl. Process the yolks (or smash with a fork). Add the mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper and mix until smooth. Spoon or pipe the yolk filling into the egg white cups.
• Place the egg white cups upright on a serving platter. Sprinkle a pinch of paprika on top of the yolks. Finish each egg with a sprig of fresh dill. Serve chilled.

HALLOWEEN SPIDERWEB COOKIES

Steps:

• Make thin icing: In large bowl, stir together 1 batch icing and 2 tablespoons water. Fit 1 pastry bag with #3-size tip and fill with thin icing.
• Color thicker icing: Divide second batch icing between 2 medium bowls. To icing in 1 bowl, gradually mix in black food coloring until icing is black. Fit second pastry bag with second #3-size tip and fill with black icing.
• Fit third pastry bag with #1-size tip and fill with remaining (thicker) white icing.
• Pipe border: Using pastry bag with #1 tip and thicker white icing, pipe around outer edge of 1 cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies and let set 2 minutes.
• "Flood" to fill center: Using pastry bag with #3 tip and thinner white icing, squirt pool of icing into center of 1 cookie, then spread to edge with small offset spatula. Repeat with second cookie, giving first time to set.
• Pipe circles: Returning to first cookie, using pastry bag with black icing, pipe concentric circles over white icing, beginning in center and ending almost at edge. Repeat with second cookie, giving first time to set.
• Form spiderweb pattern: Returning to first cookie, position tip of toothpick in center and drag through icing out to edge. Wipe tip and repeat 7 more times to make 8 evenly spaced, radiating lines like spokes of wheel.
• Next, position tip at edge, halfway between 2 lines, and drag inward to center to create another line. Wipe tip and repeat 7 more times to make 8 more lines between first 8.
• Repeat process with second iced cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies, working in batches of 2 to allow icing to partially set, but not harden, between steps. Let cookies dry, uncovered, at room temperature 10 hours or overnight. (Once dry, cookies will keep, layered between sheets of wax paper or parchment, in airtight container at room temperature 1 week.)

SPIDERWEB CRUNCH

Steps:

• HEAT morsels and 3/4 cup peanut butter in small, heavy-duty saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth; remove from heat. Add sugar; stir vigorously until smooth.
• PLACE cereal in large bowl. Add 1 cup melted chocolate mixture; stir until evenly coated. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Using small metal spatula, shape into 10-inch circle with slightly raised 1-inch-wide border. Pour remaining chocolate mixture in center of circle; spread to border.
• FOR SPIDERWEB:.
• PLACE remaining peanut butter in small, heavy-duty plastic bag. Cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze to pipe concentric circles on top of chocolate. Using wooden pick or tip of sharp knife, pull tip through peanut butter from center to border. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm. Cut into wedges.