🎉 Introduction
Halloween isn’t just about sweet treats—you can turn dinner into a spooky surprise too! These Cheeseburger Skulls are made with savory ground beef, gooey cheese, and homemade bread dough, all baked in a skull-shaped pan for the ultimate creepy effect.
They’re fun to make, totally kid-approved, and a creative centerpiece for your Halloween dinner table. Pair them with a side of fries, roasted veggies, or a bubbling “witches’ brew” soup for a full themed meal.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Skull-shaped baking pan (silicone or metal)
- Large mixing bowls (for dough and beef mixture)
- Skillet (for cooking beef)
- Whisk
- Rolling pin
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Oven
🛒 Ingredients
For the beef filling:
- 32 oz (2 lbs) ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 large egg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 slices white cheese
For the bread dough:
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp instant yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ¾ cup warm water
- 5 tbsp salted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp additional butter (for greasing pan)
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Make the dough
In a large bowl, combine flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir in warm water and melted butter. Knead for 5–7 minutes until soft and elastic. Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the beef filling
In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in 1 beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Let cool slightly.
Step 3: Prep the skull pan
Grease the skull cavities generously with butter to prevent sticking. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 4: Roll the dough
Punch down risen dough. Divide into portions (about 8 pieces). Roll each piece into a circle large enough to line the skull cavity.
Step 5: Assemble the skulls
Press dough circles into each skull cavity, leaving overhang. Add a layer of cheese, then a scoop of beef mixture, then another piece of cheese on top. Fold dough over to seal.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 18–22 minutes, until dough is golden brown and firm. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pan.
Step 7: Serve
Flip the skulls out onto a platter. Serve warm with spooky dipping sauces like ketchup “blood.”
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: ~8 cheeseburger skulls
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (+1 hour rise time)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes.
- Freeze unbaked skulls after assembly for up to 2 months; bake directly from frozen (adding 5 minutes).
🥄 Variations
- Spicy Skulls: Add jalapeños or hot sauce to the beef filling.
- Pizza Skulls: Use marinara sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni instead of beef and cheese.
- Breakfast Skulls: Swap beef for scrambled eggs, sausage, and cheddar.
- Veggie Skulls: Use sautéed mushrooms, onions, and spinach instead of beef.
- Mini Skulls: Use a smaller pan for bite-sized party snacks.
❓ 10 FAQs
- Do I need a skull pan? – Yes, to get the creepy 3D look. You can use silicone or metal.
- Can I use store-bought dough? – Absolutely, pizza dough or crescent roll dough works.
- Can I make these ahead of time? – Yes, assemble and refrigerate unbaked skulls up to 24 hours before baking.
- Can I use different cheese? – Yes, cheddar, mozzarella, or gouda all work well.
- Can I make them gluten-free? – Use a gluten-free bread dough.
- Will the filling leak out? – Be sure to seal dough edges tightly before baking.
- Can I cook the beef mixture ahead? – Yes, prepare up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate.
- Can I freeze leftovers? – Yes, wrap individually and freeze for 1 month.
- Do kids like them? – Yes! They’re a fun hands-on dinner idea.
- What should I serve them with? – Fries, salad, soup, or spooky dips like ketchup “blood” or mustard “slime.”
🏁 Conclusion
These Cheeseburger Skulls are the ultimate Halloween dinner—creepy on the outside, cheesy and savory on the inside. They’re fun to make, delicious to eat, and guaranteed to be the star of your Halloween menu.
Whether you serve them for a family dinner or as a spooky party centerpiece, they’ll disappear faster than you can say “trick-or-treat!”
Cheeseburger Skulls Halloween Dinner | Spooky & Delicious
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, combine flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir in warm water and melted butter. Knead for 5–7 minutes until soft and elastic. Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in 1 beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Let cool slightly.
- Grease the skull cavities generously with butter to prevent sticking. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Punch down risen dough. Divide into portions (about 8 pieces). Roll each piece into a circle large enough to line the skull cavity.
- Press dough circles into each skull cavity, leaving overhang. Add a layer of cheese, then a scoop of beef mixture, then another piece of cheese on top. Fold dough over to seal.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, until dough is golden brown and firm. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pan.
- Flip the skulls out onto a platter. Serve warm with spooky dipping sauces like ketchup “blood.”
Notes
These Cheeseburger Skulls are the ultimate Halloween dinner—creepy on the outside, cheesy and savory on the inside. They’re fun to make, delicious to eat, and guaranteed to be the star of your Halloween menu. Whether you serve them for a family dinner or as a spooky party centerpiece, they’ll disappear faster than you can say “trick-or-treat!”
