SPIDERWEB DESIGN RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine the frosting and food coloring in a small bowl. Transfer the mixture to a pastry bag or plastic bag (snip a small hole in the corner of the bag).
• Starting from the center of the cake draw nine lines with the frosting clockwise around the top to the edge. Connect the end of each line to the line next to it with an arched line. Move 1 inch towards the center and draw another series of arcs between the lines. Repeat two more times.
• Pipe a small dot of icing for the head of the spider and a larger dot touching it for the body. Pipe four legs on each side of the body. Repeat as desired.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350º.
• Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt, stirring well with a whisk. Place shortening in a large mixing bowl; beat with a heavy-duty mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add the granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until well blended. Add vanilla and egg white; beat well. Add flour mixture; beat until well blended.
• Turn dough out onto wax paper; shape into a 6-inch log. Wrap log in wax paper. Freeze 2 hours or until very firm.
• Cut log into 24 (1/4-inch) slices, and place slices 1 inch apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350º for 10 minutes or until set. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.
• Combine powdered sugar and milk in a medium bowl; stir well with a whisk until smooth. Spoon into a small zip-top plastic bag; seal. Snip a tiny hole in 1 corner of bag. Working with 1 cookie at a time, pipe 3 concentric circles onto each cookie. Starting at center circle, pull a wooden pick through other circles at regular intervals to create a "web."