Halloween Treats: Creepy Crawly Cookies

I love Halloween. I've always loved Halloween. Yes I was one of those teenagers who shamelessly still went trick or treating with their friends even though they were definitely past the appropriate age. So given my affinity for the holiday I really miss it here in Australia. It is just not the same here. People don't decorate their houses with gusto, you don't see people wandering the streets during the day in full costume and you can not ring most door bells on October 31st without people wondering why on earth you're yelling "trick or treat" at them. Having said all this we have found a couple good streets near us that have trick or treating but if you get there past 5:30pm there are no lollies left! Trick or treating during daylight is just wrong. To combat the lacklustre Halloween festivities here I've taken it upon myself to show the kids how much fun Halloween can be. This year after ridiculously early trick or treating we're going to have a pizza party with friends. The little bears cannot wait. I was racking my brain for dessert ideas that had a nod to Halloween but also small portions, since I have a feeling a lot of sugar is going to be consumed before pizza time. Click below for the recipe for these creepy crawly cookies.

Creepy Crawly Cookies
adapted from cooking classy.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon cornflour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 115 grams chilled butter, diced into cubes
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoon honey
• 2 1/2 tablespoons powdered coffee creamer 
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 15 brown M&Ms
• 1/2 bar of dark chocolate
• Round piping tip (I  used Wilton tip 4)
• Piping bag

Step 1: Preheat oven to 160 degree Celcius fan forced. In a mixing bowl mix together flour, cornflour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Step 2: In another mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, mix together chilled butter, sugar, honey and coffee creamer until blended. Add in egg and vanilla extract. 

Step 3: Slowly add your dry ingredients until completely combined. Roll spoonfuls of cookie dough (about 1.5 tablespoons) into balls and place 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet lined with baking paper. Lightly flatten the cookies and place one M&M in the centre. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly golden just around the edge of the cookie. 

Step 4: Allow cookies to cool. Over a bain marie melt the dark chocolate. Leave to cool (but not harden) for 10-15 minutes. Once cooled, fill the piping bag with the dark chocolate and pipe a small ball next to the M&M, which will be the spider's head. Next pipe eight lines (four on either side) of the M&M, which will be the spiders legs. Place cookies in the fridge until the chocolate has hardened. 

Serve with a cold glass of milk and enjoy the creepy crawlies.

Happy Trick or Treating!