Description
Celebrate Halloween with this spooky and delicious Halloween Caprese Salad featuring mozzarella shaped into skulls, dark cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a tangy balsamic dressing. This playful twist on the classic Caprese salad adds a seasonal touch perfect for fall gatherings and parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Skulls
- 8 ounces mozzarella ciliegine
Salad & Dressing
- 1 pint black cherry tomatoes, halved (preferably Kumato brown tomatoes for a darker Halloween effect)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the mozzarella skulls. Preheat the oven to 350ºF and place silicon skull molds on a rimmed baking sheet for stability. Lightly grease the inside of each mold cavity. Place one mozzarella ciliegine ball into each mold cavity.
- Bake the cheese. Bake the molds with the mozzarella for 6-8 minutes until the cheese softens but does not melt completely, becoming pliable.
- Shape the skulls. Using a folded paper napkin, gently press the softened mozzarella into the mold cavities to create the skull shapes. The napkin helps absorb excess liquid released by the cheese. Be careful to avoid burns while pressing.
- Chill the shaped mozzarella. Transfer the mozzarella-filled molds to the refrigerator and chill for 8-10 minutes to set the shape.
- Remove and repeat. Carefully remove the mozzarella skulls from the molds. Repeat the process with the remaining mozzarella balls until all are shaped.
- Prepare the salad. Slice the black cherry tomatoes in half. In a bowl, toss the tomatoes and mozzarella skulls with the balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
- Finish and serve. Scatter fresh basil leaves over the salad and sprinkle with salt to taste. Serve immediately for a festive Halloween appetizer or side dish.
Notes
- Using Kumato or darker cherry tomatoes enhances the Halloween theme with their deep brown color.
- Be cautious when pressing the hot mozzarella to avoid burns.
- The mozzarella will not melt fully but soften enough to shape, so monitor oven time closely.
- Refrigerating the shaped cheese helps the skulls hold their form before serving.
- This salad is best served fresh for optimal texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
