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    Home » Recipes » Halloween

    Giant Cake Ball Spider

    Published: Sep 28, '21 · Modified: Sep 28, '21 · By: Beth · This post may contain affiliate links.

    This Giant Cake Ball Spider will be the center of attention at your Halloween party!

    This chocolate cake ball spider is covered in decadent chocolate ganache and is decorated with modeling chocolate eyes and chocolate legs so it tastes great!
    Giant chocolate cake ball spiders with modeling chocolate eyes and chocolate legs.

    Cake pops and cake balls are hugely popular now, and I know many of you have made them, eaten them, or at least seen pictures of them.

    A cake ball is simply cake crumbled up, mixed with frosting, rolled into a ball, dipped in candy coating or chocolate, and decorated.

    My version of this sweet treat is giant, hairy, and adorable, well O.K., as adorable as any super-sized spider can be.

    creepy Halloween themed party food

    Last year for our Carnival of the Creepy Crawlers party, our kitchen and living room were completely infested with large hairy spiders, many were fuzzy, stuffed, and cute, but others were disgusting, realistic, and ugly.

    I decided to supersize a decorated cake ball and turn it into a giant spider that would be served up in its own web.

    To make this monstrous dessert, I mixed crumbled cake with frosting and molded it into a large dome before covering it in dark chocolate ganache.

    Spider Cake covered in chocolate ganache.

    I chose to make the spider's legs out of piped dark chocolate which I frosted with chocolate ganache in order to make them look hairy, but if you prefer you could make the legs out of sculpted chocolate rice Krispies treats, baked large "L" shaped chocolate cookies, or two pretzel rods glued together using some of the ganache.

    I always have modeling chocolate on hand, so I used some to make the eyes, but slices of marshmallow, vanilla cookies, vanilla frosting, or fondant could be used to make the whites of the eyes. Some piped ganache, large chocolate chips, Hershey's Kisses, M&M's, or even candy melts could be used to make the pupils. 

    I chose to add eyes that made my spider look cute, but they can easily be changed if you prefer a more ominous-looking spider.

    Super-Sized Spider Cake Ball

    If you'd like to make white and dark modeling chocolate for the spider's eyes, click here for the modeling chocolate recipe and tutorial.

    Ingredients:

    cake ball:

    1 baked devil's food or chocolate cake
    ¾ cup tub vanilla frosting

    ganache:

    ½ cup heavy whipping cream
    8 ounces good-quality dark chocolate, finely chopped

    legs*:

    8 ounces tempered dark chocolate or melted dark cocoa candy melts
    Check out my chocolate-making tips page for melting and tempering instructions.

    eyes*:

    white and black (or dark chocolate) modeling chocolate (or fondant)

    *for alternative ways to make the legs and eyes, read the last paragraph above

    Special Equipment Needed:

    extra large mixing bowl
    1 ½ quart bowl (holds 6 cups)
    plastic wrap
    6" cake round (or cut a 6" circle of cardboard and cover with tin foil)
    small saucepan
    food processor OR a microwave-safe bowl
    parchment paper
    offset spatula or spoon
    disposable pastry bag or heavy-duty zip-top bag

    Instructions:

    Blending chocolate cake with vanilla frosting to make cake balls.

    Step 1 - Make cake ball mixture.

    1. Crumble cake into an extra-large mixing bowl.
    2. Add the frosting and stir until very well mixed. I like to use my hands and I usually wear gloves.

    Line a bowl with plastic wrap then press the cake ball into it to form the spider cake's body.

    Step 2 - Form the spider's body.

    1. Line a 1 ½ quart bowl with plastic wrap.
    2. Press the cake mixture into the bowl and smooth out the top.
    3. Fold plastic wrap over.
    4. Refrigerate for at least one hour.

    Un-mold the giant cake ball and set it on a cake board.

    Step 3 - Set the giant cake ball on a cake board.

    1. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and unwrap the folded plastic wrap.
    2. Tug on the plastic wrap, lifting the cake from the bowl.
    3. Set the cake upside down on the counter and remove the plastic wrap.
    4. Set the cake board on the flat side of the cake.
    5. Turn the cake over and set the cake on a glass or cup that is set over a piece of parchment paper or wax paper.
    6. Make chocolate ganache: (if you prefer, you can use a tub of chocolate frosting).

    Make chocolate ganache in a food processor.

    Step 4 - Make chocolate ganache.

    1. Place chopped chocolate in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until chocolate is fine crumbs.
    2. Heat heavy whipping cream in a small saucepan over medium heat.
    3. Stir often until it just comes to a boil.
    4. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate, put the lid on the food processor bowl, and let sit for 2-3 minutes.
    5. Pulse for 3 seconds. Remove lid and scrape down the sides and bottom of the food processor bowl.
    6. Return lid and pulse for 5 more seconds or until the mixture, which is called ganache, is smooth.
    7. Don't over-mix your ganache or it will turn grainy as it sets up.

    Note: A food processor makes easy work of creating a chocolate ganache.

    If you don't have one, finely chop your chocolate and put it in a microwave-safe mixing bowl. Boil cream as above and pour over chocolate and let sit for 2-3 minutes.

    Use a whisk to create an emulsion. Begin by stirring just in the center of the bowl, then slowly bring the whisk out to the edge of the bowl. Stir just until combined and the ganache is smooth. If you have chunks of chocolate remaining, place the entire bowl in the microwave and heat it on high for 10 seconds. Stir until melted.

    Trouble Shooting Ganache: If your ganache gets too hot the cocoa butter from the chocolate will separate and rise to the surface. The cocoa butter will harden as the ganache cools and you will have chunks of cocoa butter throughout. This can happen if you add cream that is too hot or get the ganache too hot in the microwave. If your ganache does separate or looks oily, add a little cold whipping cream (a tablespoon at a time) and mix until smooth.

    Pour chocolate ganache over the cake.

    Step 5 - Pour ganache over cake.

    1. Allow the ganache to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes until it thickens slightly.
    2. Then, pour it over the cake so that the cake is completely covered with ganache.
    3. The excess ganache will fall off landing on your parchment paper.
    4. Reserve the excess ganache for the spider's legs.

    Make the chocolate ganache look furry.

    Step 6 - Make chocolate ganache look furry.

    1. Allow the ganache to set and thicken a bit.
    2. Then, use an offset spatula or spoon to make the spider's hair.
    3. Press the spatula or spoon onto the ganache and slowly lift it off allowing the ganache to pull up into spikes. If the ganache falls back down and smooths out, then the ganache isn't thick enough.
    4. Wait a few more minutes and try again.
    5. The sides of the cake will thicken faster than the top, so you might want to start on the sides.

    Alternative idea:

    • You could also simply wait until the chocolate ganache thickens then spread it over the cake and make it look furry.

    Chocolate ganache covered cake makes a great spider cake body.

    Step 7 - Make the spider look really furry.

    1. Continue making spikes all over the cake.
    2. While the ganache is still wet, make the eyes.

    Add modeling chocolate eyes to the chocolate spider cake.

    Step 8 - Make modeling chocolate eyes.

    1. Roll out some white modeling chocolate and dark modeling chocolate and cut them in circles using a 1 ½" and a ¾" round cookie cutter to make the eyes.
      • You could use fondant if you prefer or use slices of marshmallow, vanilla cookies, vanilla frosting for the whites of the eyes and some piped ganache, large chocolate chips, Hershey's Kisses, M&M's, or even candy melts for the pupils.
    2. Attach the eyes to the spider by pressing them into the wet ganache.

    Pipe giant chocolate spider legs onto parchment paper.

    Step 9 - Make chocolate spider legs.

    1. To make chocolate legs: Draw a 6 ¾" x 4 ½" rectangle onto a piece of paper.
    2. Slide the drawing under a piece of parchment paper.
    3. Pour melted and tempered chocolate or melted candy melts into a disposable pastry bag or a heavy-duty zip-top bag.
    4. Cut off the tip and begin to pipe the legs one at a time.
    5. The legs will be covered with ganache so they don't need to be perfectly straight
    6. After you finish piping a leg, carefully move the drawing of the leg over and pipe on more chocolate creating another leg.
    7. Pipe four legs then refrigerate if using tempered chocolate or freeze if using candy melts.
    8. Don't allow them to chill for too long, or the legs will begin to curl upwards.
    9. Repeat making four more legs.

    Cover chocolate spider legs with spikes of chocolate ganache.

    Step 10 - Make the spider legs look furry.

    1. Frost the legs with the reserved chocolate ganache covering the entire leg.
    2. Use a fork to make the chocolate legs look hairy by using the same technique you used for the body.
    3. Once you've made the entire leg hairy looking, set it back on the parchment paper and allow it to dry completely.
    4. Repeat.

    Insert a chocolate spider leg into the spider cake.

    Step 11 - Attach the chocolate legs to the spider cake.

    1. Set your cake on a serving platter or if you prefer you can place it on a spider web.
    2. Attach the legs to the spider's body by just pressing the short side of the leg into the cake.

    Giant cake ball spider served on a spider web at our Halloween party.

    Step 12- Set spider cake on a spider web and serve.

    If you want to make this cake prior to your party, store the finished spider body in an airtight container.

    The day of the party attach the chocolate legs and set on a serving platter or spider web.  Serve!

     

    Spider Cake covered in chocolate ganache.
    Print
    Spider Cake
    Prep Time
    1 hr
    Cook Time
    5 mins
     

    A giant cake ball spider decorated with chocolate ganache and furry chocolate legs.

    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cake, cake balls, chocolate, chocolate ganache, halloween desserts, spider cake
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 365 kcal
    Author: Beth
    Ingredients
    cake ball:
    • 1 baked chocolate cake, edges cut off and discarded
    • ¾ cup tub vanilla frosting
    ganache:
    • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
    • 8 ounces good-quality semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
    legs:
    • 8 ounces dark cocoa candy melts, melted
    Instructions
    1. Crumble the cake and mix with frosting until it forms a ball and press it into a plastic wrap-lined 1 ½ quart bowl, cover, and refrigerate for an hour.
    2. Meanwhile, heat the heavy whipping cream over medium heat until it just begins to bubble.
    3. Pour it over the chocolate and let it rest for 3-4 minutes, then stir until creamy and smooth.
    4. Set the ganache aside for about an hour until it thickens.
    5. Remove the cake from the bowl and set the flat side on a cake board or large serving platter.
    6. Spread ganache over the giant cake ball.
    7. Press a spatula on the ganache then lift it off making spikes of fur all over the cake.
    8. Cut out modeling chocolate eyes at press onto cake.
    9. Pipe a thick layer of melted candy melts into eight angled 6 ¾" by 4 ½" spider legs. Chill for 10 minutes.
    10. Frost the legs with ganache and make them look furry.
    11. Let them dry then insert them into the cake.
    Recipe Notes

    Store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

    This recipe was originally published on September 13, 2011.

    More spider cookies, cake balls, and more!

    If you are hosting a Halloween party and are looking for more spider-themed desserts, be sure to check out these other recipes.

    Oreo Spider Bites - Cute and creepy Halloween treats.

    OREO Cookie Ball Spiders

     

    Oatmeal raisin spider cookies.

    Oatmeal Raisin Spider Cookies

    Spider chocolate chip cookies infested with chocolate spiders.

    Spider Chocolate Chip Cookies

     Be sure to check out all the Halloween recipes here on Hungry Happenings.

     

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    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Beth
    Beth
    Hi, I'm Beth Jackson Klosterboer, a professional chocolatier & baker, cookbook author, and event planner. I love sharing recipes for happy occasions here on Hungry Happenings. I also create easy fudge recipes to share at HowToMakeEasyFudge.com, rice krispie treat recipes at HowToMakeCerealTreats.com, and easy cookie recipes at HowToMakeEasyCookies.com
    Beth
    Latest posts by Beth (see all)
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    Comments

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    1. rajit

      November 01, 2013 at 4:13 am

      I tried this recipe and it came out really nice........

      Reply
      • beth

        November 01, 2013 at 4:24 am

        I'm so happy to hear that! Have a Happy Halloween:)

        Reply
    2. Beth Jackson Klosterboer

      January 11, 2012 at 11:57 pm

      Thanks for all the features and nice comments. I just started a new reader's gallery and will post julee's party pictures there. If you have pictures of a re-creation of this recipe, you can send it to me at beth@hungryhappenings.com

      Reply
    3. Mayyadah

      January 11, 2012 at 10:36 pm

      wow, adorable!
      Last year, St. Andrew, the day my nephew, I did a spider. Not yet found out the recipe on your site.
      I did the body of a muffin, I used to stand on pieces of pretzel sticks that I covered with chocolate chips and I used eye candy Skittles.
      Of course, your spider is a success, not comparable to mine, but me and my nephew much we enjoyed it.
      Sorry I do not know how to post pictures.
      Sorry for the language, do not get along too great.

      Reply
    4. julee

      October 31, 2011 at 3:31 pm

      I made the spider cake ball for my Halloween party and it was loved by all! Thanks so much for sharing your ideas and being a fun food inspiration!

      Here is a link to my pictures:

      http://diylouisville.blogspot.com/2011/10/creepy-spider-halloween-party.html

      Reply
    5. Lady Behind The Curtain

      October 21, 2011 at 4:16 pm

      CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your recipe is being featured today on Feature Friday At Lady Behind The Curtain! Please come over a grab a "feature friday" button. ---Sheryl---
      http://ladybehindthecurtain.com

      Reply
    6. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

      October 17, 2011 at 2:34 am

      I didn't think I'd ever say a spider was cute, but this one is! So cute I want to eat him. 😉 Thanks for sharing with Crazy Sweet Tuesday!

      Reply
    7. Lindy@Itsy Bitsy Paper

      October 14, 2011 at 1:05 pm

      This is a great cake! I featured it on Fun Friday Finds today. I hope you can stop by and grab a featured button if you'd like.
      http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2011/10/funfridayfinds-halloween-cakes.html

      Reply
    8. Michele Alger

      September 17, 2011 at 5:33 pm

      SO FUN!!! My children will LOVE this cake...thanks for sharing! And, thank you for visiting my blog @shelstring. Have a wonderful day!!

      Reply
    9. dinnerordessert

      September 15, 2011 at 3:56 pm

      This is so cute! I have a Halloween themed bake off at work and have been looking for something like this. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    10. Jen

      September 15, 2011 at 5:25 am

      LOVE this! Definitely going on the possibility list with 3 birthdays in the family in October!

      Reply
    11. Trish - Sweetology101

      September 15, 2011 at 1:36 am

      love it!!

      Reply
    12. MC

      September 14, 2011 at 4:01 pm

      You are truly a recent find. Your talent is so obvious. What a creative thinker. Adorable spider is not something I'd normally say. But is a real cutie.

      Reply
    13. Meg@MegaCrafty

      September 13, 2011 at 5:09 pm

      Super cute- I've been wondering if making legs like this would work for a 3d spider and now I know it does thanks!

      Reply
    14. Anilú

      September 13, 2011 at 2:45 am

      i absolutely love it!!!!!... i'll probably won't be able to wait til halloween, i MUST do this!, it's adorable!
      congratulations!, your ideas are incredible, thank u so much for sharing!
      grettings from Perú 🙂

      Anilú

      Reply
    15. Beth Jackson Klosterboer

      September 13, 2011 at 2:21 am

      Hi Jo and Sue, I can't wait to see a picture of your Halloween table. You have made some really fun recipes for your past parties.

      Beth @ Hungry Happenings

      Reply
    16. Jo and Sue

      September 13, 2011 at 1:04 am

      What a cute spider! I love how glossy the ganache makes him 🙂 Great job! This is going in the Halloween folder for this year I think 🙂

      Reply

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    Beth Jackson Klosterboer

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    I'm Beth. I've been a professional chocolatier & baker for over 30 years, have written 5 cookbooks, and love creating fun food for holidays and special occasions.

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