Black Brownie Spiders

For the brownies:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 15x10x2 Pyrex pan.

In a large bowl mix canola oil and butter then add cocoa and stir until well blended. Beat in the eggs with a mixer. Add sugar and vanilla, beat well. Add flour and salt and mix until most of the flour is combined. Stir in chocolate chips using a wooden spoon.

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes (mine took 22 minutes). Remove from the oven and allow to cool before cutting.

For the frosting:
In the bowl of a stand mixer beat the butter. Add the powdered sugar and beat until combined. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla and mix it in. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until your desired consistency is reached. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and whip one last time for 2-3 minutes to make sure the ingredients are mixed.

Place the frosting in a piping bag fitted with a small round, leaf, or star tip. Set aside

To assemble the spiders:
Use a circle cookie/biscuit cutter to cut out your desired size of circles from the pan of brownies for the spider “bodies”. Place the circles on a sheet of wax paper for prep, or place them right on your serving tray.

Take the black legs and stick four on each side of the spider, repeat with remaining spiders. Use the frosting and pipe small spikes on the top of the brownies as the spiders hair. You can also just roughly smooth the frosting on with a knife.

Place two eyes on the edge of one end of the spider, making sure to use the frosting as glue for the eyes. Repeat with remaining spiders.

If desired sprinkle some black sprinkles on top of the frosting.

Serve or cover for up to four days.

*Please see blog post for notes.

Recipe inspired by Ali at gimmesomeoven.com.