Cobweb Cups

My mom found the cutest Halloween cook book, Halloween Food, Fun & Crafts... I think it is made by Pillsbury. It has the greatest ideas for all types of Halloween goodies- even though I must admit some of them look too gross to eat, like the "Feet of Meet" and the "Buzzard Claws with Swamp Dip", but most of them are cute to look at as well as appetizing. Tonight we are getting together as a big happy family to watch Arachnophobia- can't wait! I found this recipe in the cookbook and thought it fit the evening perfectly. I was so proud of myself- they turned out just like the picture! I think mine may actually be a little cuter because I added the spiders!

Cobweb Cups

1 Package brownie mix, plus ingredients to prepare mix
1/2 Cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips
2 ounces softened cream cheese
1 egg
2 Tbls Sugar
2 Tbls Flour
1/4 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 18 standard muffin cups with paper baking cups. ( I found really cute Halloween ones at Harmons). Prepare brownie mix according to package directions for cakelike brownies, stir in chocolate chips. Divide batter evenly into prepared muffin cups.

2. Beat cream cheese and egg in small bowl until blended. Add sugar, flour and vanilla, beat until well blended ( make sure you follow these directions, the first time I tried just mixing it all together at the same time and it didn't work.... I had to try it again!)

3. Place the cream cheese mixture in a small ziplock bag- seal the bag. Cut a small hole in the corner of the bag- make it as small as possible... Pipe the cream cheese mixture in concentric circle design on each brownie cup; draw a toothpick through cream cheese mixture 6 to 8 times out from center.

4. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rach 15 minutes. Add spider rings if desired!