Chocolate Coconut Rum Ball Spiders

Everyone will want to gobble up these cute little spiders at the Halloween party this year! They can be made either traditionally (with rum), or non-alcoholic (with coconut milk). Make a batch of each, that way the kids won't feel left out. They're pretty easy to make & don't require any cooking. And they taste best if you make them a day or two ahead of time, so that makes it even easier to get ready for the party!  

Oh and, if you need a party dish for sometime other than Halloween, you can just skip the last few steps & make really good Chocolate Coconut Rum Balls - with or without the alcohol!

 Printable Recipe 
Ingredients:

• 12 oz package Vanilla Wafers, finely crushed
• 1 cup Almonds, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup Powdered Sugar
• 1/4 cup Cocoa Powder
• 1/2 cup Coconut Rum OR Coconut Milk (for non-alcoholic)
• 3 TBS Light Corn Syrup
• 1/2 cup Coconut Flakes
• 1 TBS Cocoa Powder
• 1 package Candy Eyes, some cut in half
• Chocolate Flavored Licorice Sticks (like Twizzlers)
• Chocolate melts, melted

Method:

For best results, use a food processor to chop the vanilla wafers and almonds into a fine, almost powdery consistency. Mix the vanilla wafers, almonds, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder in a bowl. Add the rum (or milk) and corn syrup. Stir to combine. (It will take a minute, but keep stirring. It will come together, I promise. Keep stirring until everything is moistened and it sticks together.)   

Place coconut flakes and the 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder into the food processor, and give it a whirl for a few seconds. Pour the mixture into a shallow dish.

Roll the wafer mixture into about 1 inch balls, and then roll each ball in the coconut mixture. Once coated set on a flat surface to set up a little. 

Cut the licorice strips in half, then each half in half again. now cut each of these 4 strips into half lengthwise. Then cut those in half lengthwise again. This will give you 16 strips out of 1 piece of licorice. 

To each ball, add a few licorice pieces to make the legs. You can just poke them in. Now, add two half candy eyes (or one whole eye), using the melted chocolate as 'glue'. If you are using two half eyes, you may want to trim a strip of licorice and use it to cover the cut edge, like I did. (For storage purposes, you may want to wait until the day of the party to add these decorative touches.)

Makes 24 - 30 Spiders

Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container, and they will last for a couple of weeks - If they don't get eaten first! ;)

There you go... Chocolate Coconut {Rum} Ball Spiders!

Enjoy!