Ear Wax Wieners on Cotton Swabs

This is the kind of Halloween party snack that makes kids shriek and then immediately eat three. Butter-broiled cocktail franks served on toothpicks with cotton balls stuck on the ends to look like cotton swabs, with a bowl of “ear wax” (mustard mixed with mayonnaise) for dipping.

The actual food is dead simple. Brush the cocktail franks with melted butter and broil them until browned on all sides, turning two or three times. The butter helps them brown evenly and adds flavor beyond what you’d get from a plain broil.

The presentation is the whole point. Pierce each cooked frank with a toothpick, stick a damp cotton ball on the exposed end, and arrange them around a bowl of the yellow mustard-mayo dip. The color of the dipping sauce is convincingly gross, and kids absolutely love it.

Kitchen Tips

• Use cocktail-sized franks, not full hot dogs. The small size looks more proportional to the toothpick “cotton swab”
• Dampen the cotton balls slightly so they stick firmly to the toothpicks and don’t fall off during serving
• Brush the butter on carefully with a pastry brush for even coating. Don’t pour it on or the franks will sit in a pool of butter
• Make the mustard-mayo mix ahead and chill it so it thickens up slightly before serving

Variations

• Use ketchup mixed with a little relish for a “blood and guts” dipping sauce alternative
• Wrap each frank in a thin strip of crescent roll dough before baking for “mummy” wieners on cotton swabs
• Set the platter on a bed of shredded lettuce “hair” for an even grosser holiday presentation