Noah Sinclair
Creating spider cookies inspired by the show *Nailed It!* is a fun and spooky baking project perfect for Halloween or any time you want to add a creepy-crawly twist to your treats. These cookies typically feature a chocolate base shaped like a spider, complete with licorice or pretzel legs and candy eyes for a whimsical touch. The process involves mixing a simple cookie dough, shaping it into spider bodies, and decorating with icing, sprinkles, or other edible decorations. While the *Nailed It!* versions often showcase hilarious and imperfect results, the charm lies in the creativity and effort, making it a great activity for both beginners and experienced bakers alike. Whether you’re aiming for perfection or embracing the chaos, these spider cookies are sure to bring a smile—or a shriek—to anyone who sees them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cookie Base | Chocolate chip cookie dough (store-bought or homemade) |
| Spider Body | Oreo cookie (or similar sandwich cookie) |
| Spider Legs | Pretzel sticks (thin) |
| Spider Eyes | White chocolate chips or candy eyes |
| Icing | Black icing (store-bought or homemade with black food coloring) |
| Assembly Method | 1. Bake cookies according to recipe. 2. Attach pretzel legs to Oreo body with icing. 3. Place Oreo body on cookie base. 4. Add eyes using icing or attach candy eyes. |
| Difficulty Level | Easy to Moderate |
| Time Required | Approximately 30 minutes (excluding baking time) |
| Special Tools | Piping bag (optional) |
| Source | Inspired by the show "Nailed It!" |
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What You'll Learn
- Gather Ingredients: Flour, sugar, cocoa, chocolate chips, red icing, black sprinkles, and edible eyes
- Prepare Dough: Mix, chill, and roll dough; cut spider shapes using a cookie cutter
- Bake Cookies: Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until edges are set
- Decorate Spiders: Use red icing for bodies, black sprinkles for legs, and add edible eyes
- Final Touches: Let icing set, arrange on a platter, and serve for a spooky treat
Gather Ingredients: Flour, sugar, cocoa, chocolate chips, red icing, black sprinkles, and edible eyes
To begin your spider cookie adventure, inspired by the show *Nailed It*, the first crucial step is to gather all the necessary ingredients. This ensures a smooth baking process without any last-minute scrambles. Start by assembling the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, and cocoa powder. These form the base of your cookie dough, providing structure, sweetness, and that rich, chocolatey flavor. Measure them out precisely, as baking is a science, and accuracy is key to achieving the perfect texture.
Next, focus on the mix-ins and decorations that will bring your spider cookies to life. Chocolate chips are essential for adding pockets of melted chocolate goodness to your cookies. For the spider’s eerie look, you’ll need red icing to create the creepy crawly legs and any additional spooky details. Ensure the icing is the right consistency—not too thick or too runny—for easy piping. Additionally, black sprinkles will add texture and a dark, spooky contrast to your cookies, mimicking the spider’s body or web-like details.
One of the most important decorative elements is the edible eyes. These will give your spider cookies their signature creepy yet cute appearance. You can find edible eyes at most baking supply stores or online. If you can’t find them, consider using white chocolate chips or icing with a black sprinkle in the center as a creative alternative. Having these ready before you start baking will save you time and stress later.
Double-check your pantry to ensure you haven’t missed anything. The last thing you want is to realize you’re out of cocoa powder halfway through mixing the dough. Lay out all your ingredients in an organized manner, as this will make the next steps—mixing, baking, and decorating—much more efficient. With flour, sugar, cocoa, chocolate chips, red icing, black sprinkles, and edible eyes all ready, you’re now fully prepared to dive into the fun and creative process of making spider cookies, *Nailed It* style.
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Prepare Dough: Mix, chill, and roll dough; cut spider shapes using a cookie cutter
To begin making spider cookies inspired by the show *Nailed It*, the first step is to prepare the dough. Start by gathering your ingredients, typically including flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and any desired flavorings like vanilla extract. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving the right texture in your cookies. Once combined, add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until the ingredients are fully incorporated. The dough should have a smooth and consistent appearance at this stage.
Next, gradually add the flour to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. The dough should come together easily and pull away from the sides of the bowl. Once mixed, shape the dough into a disc and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Chilling the dough is an essential step, as it helps the fats solidify, making the dough easier to handle and preventing excessive spreading during baking. Place the wrapped dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until it is firm.
After chilling, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly. This makes it easier to roll out. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to an even thickness, typically around ¼ inch. Maintaining an even thickness ensures that the cookies bake uniformly. If the dough becomes too soft or sticky, return it to the refrigerator for a few minutes to firm up.
With the dough rolled out, it’s time to cut spider shapes using a cookie cutter. If you don’t have a spider-shaped cutter, you can create a template from cardstock and cut the shapes with a knife. Press the cutter firmly into the dough, then carefully lift the cut shapes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat this process until all the dough has been used, re-rolling scraps as needed. For a more intricate spider design, consider adding details like legs or eyes using a smaller cutter or a knife.
Once all the spider shapes are cut and placed on the baking sheet, return them to the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to chill again. This extra chilling step helps the cookies retain their shape during baking. While the dough chills, preheat your oven to the temperature specified in your recipe, usually around 350°F (175°C). After chilling, the dough is ready to be baked, bringing you one step closer to creating the spooky spider cookies featured on *Nailed It*.
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Bake Cookies: Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until edges are set
To begin baking your spider cookies inspired by the show *Nailed It*, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) at least 10 minutes before you plan to bake. This ensures the oven reaches the correct temperature for even baking. While the oven heats up, prepare your cookie dough according to the recipe, typically a chocolate or sugar cookie base for the spider body. Scoop or roll the dough into evenly sized balls, placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet with enough space between them to allow for spreading. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect shape for your spider cookies.
Once your oven is preheated and your cookie dough is ready, place the baking sheet on the center rack of the oven. Set a timer for 10 minutes to ensure you don’t overbake the cookies. Baking at 350°F for 10-12 minutes is the recommended time for most spider cookie recipes, as it allows the edges to set while keeping the centers slightly soft. The edges should appear just golden, and the cookies will still look slightly underbaked in the middle—this is ideal, as they will continue to cook on the baking sheet after being removed from the oven.
During the baking process, avoid opening the oven door frequently, as this can cause temperature fluctuations and affect the texture of your cookies. At the 10-minute mark, check the cookies to see if the edges are set and lightly browned. If they need a bit more time, bake for an additional 1-2 minutes, but be cautious not to overbake, as the cookies will firm up as they cool. Overbaked cookies can become hard and lose the soft, chewy texture that’s perfect for decorating.
Once the cookies are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. This resting period allows the cookies to finish cooking and firm up enough to be transferred to a wire rack without breaking. After 5 minutes, carefully move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is essential for preparing the cookies for decorating, as attempting to decorate warm cookies can cause the icing or decorations to melt or slide off.
Finally, while the cookies cool, prepare your decorating tools, such as black icing for the spider legs, candy eyes, and any additional details. The baking step is complete when the cookies are fully cooled and ready for transformation into spooky spiders. Remember, the key to success in this *Nailed It*-inspired recipe is following the precise baking instructions: 350°F for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set, ensuring your spider cookies have the perfect texture for both taste and decoration.
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Decorate Spiders: Use red icing for bodies, black sprinkles for legs, and add edible eyes
To decorate your spider cookies inspired by the show *Nailed It!*, start by preparing your red icing for the spider bodies. Use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip to create a smooth, rounded shape for the body. Begin by piping a small dollop of red icing onto the center of your cookie, then gently squeeze the bag to form a slightly larger, oval-shaped body. Ensure the icing is thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to spread slightly, giving it a polished look. This will serve as the base for your spider and should be allowed to set for a few minutes before adding the legs.
Next, focus on creating the spider’s legs using black sprinkles. Carefully press the black sprinkles into the red icing body, angling them outward to resemble legs. Each spider should have eight legs, so plan accordingly. Start by adding two sprinkles on each side of the body, then fill in the remaining gaps. Press the sprinkles gently to ensure they adhere to the icing but be careful not to distort the body shape. The contrast between the red body and black legs will make your spider visually striking and true to the *Nailed It!* style.
Once the legs are in place, it’s time to add the edible eyes to bring your spider to life. Use small edible eyes or create your own by placing two tiny white candy pearls or dots of white icing on the front of the spider’s body. For a more detailed look, add a small black dot in the center of each white pearl using black icing or an edible marker. This step adds personality to your spider and makes it look more like the fun, whimsical creations seen on the show. Ensure the eyes are proportionate to the body size for a cohesive design.
To enhance the overall appearance, consider adding extra details like a slight sheen to the red icing body using a small brush dipped in light corn syrup. This will give your spider a slightly glossy, realistic finish. Additionally, double-check that all sprinkles and eyes are securely attached before presenting your cookies. These small touches will elevate your spider cookies and make them stand out, just like the contestants’ creations on *Nailed It!*.
Finally, allow your decorated spider cookies to set completely before serving or packaging them. Place them on a cooling rack or a flat surface to ensure the icing hardens properly. Once fully set, your spider cookies will be ready to impress with their vibrant red bodies, bold black legs, and charming edible eyes. This simple yet creative decorating technique captures the playful spirit of *Nailed It!* and is perfect for Halloween or any themed celebration.
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Final Touches: Let icing set, arrange on a platter, and serve for a spooky treat
Once your spider cookies are decorated, it’s time to focus on the final touches to ensure they look as spooky and impressive as possible. Start by letting the icing set completely. This step is crucial because it prevents smudging or smearing of the intricate details, such as the spider legs or eyes. Place the cookies on a flat surface at room temperature and allow them to dry for at least 2 to 3 hours, or until the icing is firm to the touch. If you’re short on time, you can gently speed up the process by placing them in front of a fan, but avoid using heat, as it can cause the icing to crack or melt.
Once the icing is fully set, carefully arrange the spider cookies on a platter for presentation. Choose a platter that complements the spooky theme—a black or dark-colored tray works well to make the cookies pop. Arrange the spiders in a way that showcases their details, such as clustering them together to mimic a spider infestation or spacing them out for a more dramatic effect. If you’ve made cookies of varying sizes, mix them up to add visual interest. For an extra touch, sprinkle edible glitter or sugar around the cookies to resemble spider webs or dust, enhancing the eerie atmosphere.
To elevate the spooky factor, consider adding small props or decorations around the platter. Fake spider webs, plastic spiders, or even a few candy pumpkins can create a festive Halloween scene. If you’re serving these at a party, place the platter on a table with dim lighting or near a candle (ensuring it’s safely away from the cookies) to enhance the eerie vibe. The goal is to make the cookies the centerpiece of a hauntingly delightful display.
When it’s time to serve, handle the cookies with care to avoid damaging the icing. Use a spatula to transfer them to individual plates or encourage guests to pick them up gently. Pair the spider cookies with other Halloween treats, such as witch finger cookies or ghost cupcakes, for a full spread of spooky delights. These cookies are not only a visual treat but also a delicious one, making them perfect for Halloween parties, school events, or family gatherings.
Finally, don’t forget to take a moment to admire your handiwork before serving. The final touches—letting the icing set, arranging the cookies thoughtfully, and adding spooky decorations—transform these spider cookies into a show-stopping treat that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re channeling the creativity of *Nailed It!* or putting your own spin on the design, these cookies are a fun and festive way to celebrate Halloween. Enjoy the process, and watch as your spooky spider cookies become the talk of the party!
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Frequently asked questions
You'll need sugar cookie dough, black icing or fondant, chocolate chips or candy eyes, and black licorice or string for the spider legs.
Roll the sugar cookie dough into a ball for the spider's body, then flatten it slightly to create a round, plump shape.
Cut black licorice or string into equal lengths and gently press them into the sides of the cookie while the icing is still wet for a secure hold.
Yes, store-bought sugar cookie dough works great! Just shape it into the spider body and decorate as instructed.
