Brownie spiders are a fun and festive treat that’s perfect for Halloween or any other spooky occasion. They’re easy to make and require minimal ingredients, making them a great option for bakers of all skill levels.
Ingredients:
- Brownie batter (homemade or from a box mix) – enough for an 8×8 inch baking pan
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups crispy chow mein noodles
- 18 candy eyeballs
- Circle cookie cutter (optional)
- Parchment paper
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Toothpick (optional)
Instructions:
Bake the Brownies:
- Preheat your oven according to the brownie batter instructions.
- Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan with butter or line it with parchment paper.
- If you’re using a box mix, prepare the batter following the package directions.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for the recommended time.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before decorating.
Make the Spider Legs:
- While the brownies are cooling, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each interval, until smooth and melted.
Prepare the Chow Mein Noodles:
- In a separate bowl, toss the chow mein noodles to coat them evenly with the melted chocolate.
- You can use a spoon or your hands to gently mix the noodles.
Spread the Noodles:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread the chocolate-coated chow mein noodles onto the baking sheet, making sure to separate them slightly so they don’t clump together.
- Freeze the noodles for 15-20 minutes, or until set.
Cut the Brownies (Optional):
- If you want to create uniform spider bodies, use a circle cookie cutter to cut out circles from the cooled brownies.
- If you don’t have a cookie cutter, you can simply cut the brownies into squares or bite-sized pieces.
Assemble the Spiders:
Option 1 (Using a toothpick):
- Melt a tablespoon of chocolate chips in a separate bowl (this will be used for attaching the eyes).
- Using a toothpick, dab a small amount of melted chocolate on the back of each candy eye.
- Carefully place two candy eyes onto the front lower part of each brownie “body” or spider body cutout.
- Break the frozen chow mein noodles into leg-sized pieces (around 3 pieces each).
- Using the melted chocolate (from the tablespoon portion), dab a small amount on the end of each noodle piece and gently press it into the brownie body on the sides, creating 8 legs for each spider.
Option 2 (Without a toothpick):
- For a simpler method, gently press two candy eyes directly onto the front lower part of each brownie body or spider body cutout.
- Break the frozen chow mein noodles into leg-sized pieces.
- Carefully push the noodle pieces directly into the brownie body on the sides, creating 8 legs for each spider.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Once you’ve assembled all your spiders, they’re ready to serve!
- You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Tips:
- For a richer chocolate flavor, you can use dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet chocolate chips.
- If you don’t have chow mein noodles, you can use crushed pretzels, chopped peanuts, or even Rice Krispies cereal for the spider legs.
- Get creative with the candy eyes! You can find them in various sizes and colors to add a personal touch to your spiders.
- These brownie spiders are also a fun activity to make with kids. They’ll love helping to decorate the brownies!
