Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prepare the Layers
- Spread the refried beans evenly over the bottom of a 12-inch pie plate.
- Place the softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add the 12 ounces sour cream and taco seasoning to the cream cheese. Beat again until smooth and evenly combined.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the refried bean layer.
- Spread the guacamole evenly over the cream cheese layer, smoothing the surface for the spider web design.
Create the Spider Web
- Use the tip of a paring knife to lightly trace the spider web design over the guacamole. This creates a guide for piping.
- In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup sour cream and 1 tablespoon milk or water until the mixture is loose enough to pipe smoothly.
- Transfer the thinned sour cream to a piping bag, squeeze bottle, or zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off.
- Pipe the sour cream over the traced lines to create the spider web pattern.
Add the Toppings
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese around the outer edge of the pie plate, keeping the spider web design visible in the center.
- Arrange the diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, chopped cilantro, and any additional desired toppings over the cheese around the edge.
Decorate and Serve
- For decoration, place a clean plastic spider on or near the web, making sure guests know that it is not edible.
- Alternatively, make an edible spider by using one whole black olive for the body and thin strips of another olive for the legs.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips, or cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Guacamole: The guacamole may naturally begin to brown when exposed to air. Keep the dip tightly covered and refrigerated when not serving to slow oxidation.
- Spider web: Thin the 1/4 cup sour cream with approximately 1 tablespoon milk or water so it flows easily through a piping bag, squeeze bottle, or zip-top bag.
- Web design: Lightly tracing the pattern into the guacamole first makes the sour cream web easier to pipe neatly.
- Plastic spider: A decorative plastic spider is not edible and should be removed before eating. Make sure guests, especially children, know it is decoration only.
- Edible spider: Use a whole black olive for the spider body and thin strips of another olive for the legs.
- Optional toppings: Jalapenos, shredded iceberg lettuce, green onions, diced bell pepper, extra cilantro, or chopped onion can be added as desired.
- Serving: Keep the center web visible by arranging cheese and toppings mainly around the perimeter of the dip.
- Storage: Keep leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator. For the best appearance and texture, this dip is best served fresh.