Spider Treats Will Be A Big Hit At Halloween Party

“Spider web” brownies, chocolate marshmallow “spiders” and decorated popcorn balls are sweet treats for a Halloween party. Each of the following recipes from Kraft Foods is quick and easy to make. The popcorn balls make festive party favors.

Spider Web Brownies

4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) margarine or butter

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flour

1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (optional)

7-ounce jar marshmallow creme

1 square semisweet baking chocolate, melted (see note)

Heat oven to 350 degrees (325 degrees for glass dish). Line a 13- by 9-inch baking pan with foil extending over edges to form handles. Grease foil.

Melt chocolate and margarine in large microwave-safe bowl on high for 2 minutes or until margarine is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.

Stir sugar into chocolate until well blended. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour and nuts until well blended. Spread in prepared pan.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. Do not overbake. Immediately drop marshmallow creme by spoonfuls over hot brownies. Spread evenly over top of brownies. Cool in pan.

Lift out of pan onto cutting board. Remove foil. Place on serving tray. Drizzle melted chocolate over marshmallow creme to create spider web design. Cut into squares.

Yield: 24 brownies.

Note: To melt the semisweet baking chocolate, place in a zipper-style plastic sandwich-size bag. Close bag tightly. In a microwave oven, cook on high about 1 minute or until chocolate is melted. Fold down top of bag tightly and snip a tiny piece off one corner, about 1/8 inch. Holding top of bag tightly, drizzle chocolate through opening over marshmallow creme.

Chocolate Marshmallow Spiders

8 squares semisweet baking chocolate

2 cups miniature marshmallows

Black or red string licorice

Assorted candies

In microwave oven, melt chocolate in large microwave-safe bowl on high for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through heating time. Stir until completely melted.

Add marshmallows; mix lightly until completely coated. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper-lined tray. Decorate with pieces of string licorice to create spiders. Use additional miniature marshmallows and candies to make eyes. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm.

Yield: 2 dozen cookies.

Popcorn Jack-O’-Lanterns

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine or butter

10-1/2 ounce bag miniature marshmallows

One 4-serving size package orange flavor gelatin

3 quarts (12 cups) popped popcorn

Green gumdrop spearmint leaves, cut in half

1 square semisweet baking chocolate, melted

In microwave oven, cook margarine and marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl on high 1-1/2 to 2 minutes. Stir in gelatin until well mixed.

Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn in large bowl. Mix lightly until well coated. Shape into 12 balls with lightly greased or wet hands. Top with spearmint leaf halves to create stems.

Yield: 12 popcorn balls.