Spooky Cookie spiders!

Trying out some treats for this years Halloween. 

How about these Halloween spider cookies for treats for the family or a party?

Made with peanut butter, they are chewy and delicious. 

They are simple to make…a little lengthy and a bit of organising but very easy!

(they are also a great basic peanut butter cookie recipe to have)

*Truffles: You can use chocolate truffles like Lindt or similar here.  I used my own truffle bite mix that I have previously posted up.  These will need to be made in advance to have them ready.

Here’s how to do them:

1.      Preheat oven to 175°C.  Beat in a mixer ½ cup softened butter and ¾ cup smooth peanut butter until fluffy.   Add 1/3 cup brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar and beat until fluffy.  Scrape the bowl and beat in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1 large egg.

2.      In a bowl mix 1 ¼ cup flour; ¾ tsp baking powder; ¼ tsp baking soda and 1tsp salt.  With the mixer on slow add the dry ingredients until it’s incorporated.  Bring it together towards the end with your hand if you like making sure all the flour is incorporated.

3.      Roll the cookie dough mix out into 19 balls (approx 1 ½ tbsp sizes) and place them on lined baking trays.  I used 2 baking trays, leaving good space between each cookie ball as they expand. 

4.      Bake for 10 minutes.  Then take them out of the oven and using a pestle or something with the same end, press a cavity in the middle of each cookie.  Return the trays to the oven and bake for a further 6-10 minutes, until golden.

5.      When cookies are done, cool them on rack.  When they are cooled but still a little warm, place a *truffle in each cookie cavity.   If the cookies are too hot the truffles melt and if they are too cold, they will not stick. 

6.      I then decorate my spiders with white chocolate chips on each truffle for eyes.  I used ready made black icing in a tube for the black dots on the eyes and spider’s legs.  You can use melted chocolate or any novelty edible eyes you may find.  

These are delicious.  Chewy and yummy.  I love peanut butter.  Not everyone does.  So I’m sure there are various different flavours and variations you can try for these.