Happy Wednesday all! I’m so excited to share these little spiders with you today. They’re cute, spooky, okay maybe not so spooky, and sure to add a little sparkle to any Halloween party! Like most of the projects I create, these little guys started with an idea that I just kind of let swirl around in my head for a while. I knew I wanted to make a wonky looking kind of spider, I just wasn’t sure about the legs. There were a few different kinds of candy I could use, but I wanted a little more. So I just kind of let the idea stew till one day it hit me.
Candy melts, I could make the legs out of candy melts! So random, and then it was all “out of my way, I’ve got spider legs to test”. I can honestly tell you that is one statement I never thought I’d hear myself say! Anyway, I piped little chocolate legs on parchment paper, and they worked! Turns out these are easy to make too. You just melt the candy melts, pour in a disposable piping bag, and pipe them on some parchment paper. Keep in mind that once you pipe a few, you’ll get the hang of it. I also learned that it helps to make them a little thicker so they don’t break. Once they dry, remove from parchment, and you have a perfectly flat surface.
Next up, I piped a good amount of buttercream on a cupcake to add some height. I then used tip #133 to create the fuzzy, furry effect. I gave him some legs, made some eyes, and there was my idea staring back at me! Cute and colorful? Yes, but I still though it needed a little more personality.
After stepping away from it for a few days, I made this little character. By changing up the eyes and adding a sparkly little bow, I got the cute factor I was going for. Only problem is I don’t think I could bring myself to eat this!
So that’s the whole process. They’re colorful, wonky, and with a little imagination you can make them your own. I’m thinking if spiders looked more like this, I wouldn’t freak out every time I see one! I created a how-to tutorial for you guys so you can see the step-by-step process of how to bring these little creatures to life. I also explain the process in detail below, and added a few notes that I think are really helpful. This is a really fun project for both kids and adults so have fun with it!
Ingredients
- Cupcakes
- Buttercream
- Tip #133
- Candy melts in your choice of colors - I used orange, black and purple.
- Disposable pastry bags
- Parchment paper
- Fondant to make eyes - You can also use candy.
Instructions
- Melt candy melts in microwave in increments of 30 seconds till fluid.
- Pour in disposable pastry bag and cut tip off.
- Pipe legs on parchment paper and allow to dry completely. Remember that you have to pipe both right legs and left legs! These usually dry very quickly, but I prefer to do this the day before so there is minimal breakage.
- Once the legs are ready to use then you start the cupcakes.
- Pipe buttercream on so that you have height as shown in tutorial photo.
- Using tip #133 pipe buttercream to create fluffy, fuzzy effect. This is where you can just keep adding to make them as fluffy as you want.
- Insert legs into buttercream gently.
- Add eyes and decorate as you wish.
- Transfer to fridge so buttercream can get cold which will keep the chocolate legs in place.
Notes
Make more legs than you think you will need. Remember some will break so it's better to have extra than not enough.
While the chocolate legs do dry quickly, I prefer to let them sit over night.
It is super important that the legs are made and dry first because you want to attach them to the cupcakes when the buttercream is soft. Trying to stick them in cold buttercream is not going to happen!
When you insert the legs, you should have the cupcakes on a plate so you can transfer them to the fridge easily and they can harden.
I used fondant to make the eyes. You can use an assortment of candy for this such as gumballs.
You can find disposable pastry bags on amazon or at Michael's craft store. You can also use a ziploc bag, but I don't think they work as well.
I do not love the purple candy melts I used. Some of the legs were bright purple, while some turned dull. The orange and black were both good to work with and colors stayed vivid.
Eftychia says
Spooky but so cute!
Jaime says
Oh my goodness Meghan, these are the cutest spiders I have ever seen!!! I absolutely love the mad eyes and the orange fluff!! And your piping skills are just perfection! xx
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says
These are adorable!
JulieD says
These are the cutest spooky cupcakes I have ever seen!!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Your spooky cupcakes are so cute! They remind me of those funny balls with the spikes!!
amy @ fearless homemaker says
these turned out amazing, Meghan! you never cease to amaze me with your awesome skills. love ’em!!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
These little guys are perfect! Never would have thought to do the legs like that, such a great idea! They would be perfect for a Halloween party!
Liz says
Love these cupcakes….they’re too darn cute! Happy Halloween! 🙂
Suzanne Perazzini says
I would have trouble eating them too. They are super cute and you did a great job.
Mary says
OMG, Meghan, these are just GORGEOUS, sorry, not scary!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
I mean, seriously…could these be any more awesome?!!
Jocelyn @BruCrewLife says
The bow is just the perfect little touch to that spider. And I love the fun legs that you created for them. They are way too cute!!!!
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
Oh my gosh. I just want to hold one in my hand…I couldn’t even eat it!
Liz says
You are the piping queen! Love these delicious, fuzzy spiders…certainly a lot better than the real ones! They give me the creeps 🙂
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Meghan, these are the cutest spider cupcakes ever. I love their little googley eyes.
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
Meghan, you have some talent, my friend! These are beyond amazing!
Kim Bee says
These are beyond adorable. I wish we lived closer so you could give me piping lessons.
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
So cute and creative! Love these!
bigFATcook says
awww, these spiders look super cool!
Catherine says
Thank you for posting I am going to have to try these!!!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
These are ridiculously cute! I can’t tell you how much I love them.
Brooks says
Meghan, you’ve done it again! These are delightful, whimsical and spot on.
Fabelicious says
Just love the different characters of your spiders, so cute!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
Meghan these are fabulous! Definitely too cute to eat.
Vera Zecevic – Cupcakes Garden says
very cute and creative idea!