Eeeek! Brownie Spiders!

To Make the Spiders:
Mix up the brownies according to package directions, combining the brownie mix with the required additional ingredients (typically water, oil and eggs). Pour into a lightly greased 13″x9″ baking pan lined with waxed paper. Bake as directed, until the brownies are completely set. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely.

Using the waxed paper liner, remove the brownies from the pan and move them to a large cutting board. Use a biscuit cutter or an empty metal can to cut out circular brownies for the spider bodies. Using a small ice cream scoop or a spoon, scoop and shape spider heads by rolling smaller brownies into balls using your hands. Press two M&Ms into each spider head to make the eyes. Using the sparkle gel, draw one quick dot onto each eye to make pupils. You can have some fun here – make some looking down, some looking up, some cross-eyed.

To Decorate the Plates:
Using the Wilton black sparkle gel, draw concentric circles on each plate, then go back and draw straight lines across the plate from side to side and diagonal lines across each corner (see photo). It works best to work slowly and hold the gel tube just above the plate so it doesn’t touch. Once the webs are complete, place a spider in the middle of the plate.

To Serve:
Using a small ice cream scoop, place a rounded scoop of ice cream (any flavor you like) onto each spider’s back. If you’re feeling really creative, try the following for topping themes:

The Plain Garden Spider – ice cream with no toppings
The Brown Recluse – ice cream with hot fudge sauce
The Black Widow – ice cream with blackberry sauce
The Tarantula – ice cream with everything under the sun
The Itsy Bitsy Tipsy Spider – ice cream with a shot of Kahlua (the last one is for adults only!)

You can make these ahead, assembly-line fashion, or you can set up a “make your own” table for parties. If you go this route, you’ll need one tube of sparkle gel for each station at the table. Happy Halloween!