Edible Arachnids

Name: Edible Arachnids
Ingredients: 1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size); 3 tablespoons butter, softened; 6 tablespoons baking cocoa; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1-1/3 cups confectioners' sugar; 3 tablespoons 2% milk; 64 pretzel sticks, halved; 4-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips; 3 tablespoons shortening; 32 red M&M's minis

10 ingredients

8 steps

Ingredients

1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size)
3 tablespoons butter, softened
6 tablespoons baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons 2% milk
64 pretzel sticks, halved
4-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons shortening
32 red M&M's minis

Directions

1

Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions, using a greased
2

. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Crumble cake into a large bowl to measure 7 cups.
3

In a large bowl, beat butter, cocoa and vanilla until creamy. Beat in confectioners' sugar alternately with milk until smooth. Add cake crumbs; mix well. Shape into sixteen 1-1/2-in. balls and sixteen 3/4-in. balls.
4

To assemble spiders, insert a wooden or metal skewer through one small cake ball and then halfway through one large cake ball; repeat with remaining balls. Place on waxed paper-lined
5

; insert eight pretzel halves into each large ball to form legs. Freeze 2 hours or until firm.
6

In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip each spider in chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper-lined
7

.
8

Remove skewers and attach M&M's for eyes. Refrigerate until set.