To make the cookies

1. Ground the walnuts in a food processor until almost powder-like texture.  
2. Add softened butter, icing sugar and salt in a mixing bowl and beat at medium speed until fluffy.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed.
3. Add egg whites and vanilla extract and continue to beat for a minute until the mixture is well blended.
4. Place a sieve on top of the mixing bowl, sift in flour and baking powder.  Then remove the sieve and add the ground walnut.  
5. Mix it with a silicone spatula until a dough forms. 
6. Wrap the dough in cling film and chill it for an hour or until firm. 
7. While the dough is almost finished chilling, preheat the oven to 170℃ fan / 375℉.
8. Divide the dough into approximately 13 – 14 g each using a kitchen scale.  
9. Roll each portion into a ball and use a ½ teaspoon to press down in the centre to create an indentation for the spider body.  Arrange it on a line baking sheet.  Continue to shape the rest of the dough.
10. When you are done, place the whole baking sheet in the fridge to chill the shaped dough for 10 minutes to go firm.
11. Bake the chilled cookies in a preheated oven for about 18 – 20 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. 
12. Once they are done, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies sit in it for about 5 minutes.  Then transfer them on a wire rack to cool completely.
    

To decorate the cookies

1. Melt the dark chocolate using a double-boiling method for the spiders’ legs and eyes.  Load it into a piping bag when it is cooled.
2. For the eyes, use a tiny amount of white fondant and roll it into a ball, use the fondant tool or a knife to cut it in half and shape it into an oval, flatten it slightly.  Roll the 2nd half into an oval and flatten it to create a pair of eyes. 
3. Pipe a small amount of chocolate in the centre of the cookie and pipe four spider legs on each side, total eight legs.   Place a chocolate ball in the centre to create the body.
4. Pipe a tiny amount of chocolate to stick the fondant eyes on.  Pipe a tiny drop of chocolate on each fondant to create the pupil. Continue to create as many spiders as you need.  Happy Halloween!