Description
Create a spooky yet delicious Halloween Caprese Salad with mozzarella molded into skulls, dark cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of balsamic for a festive touch!
Ingredients
Scale
Essential Ingredients:
- 8 oz mozzarella (ciliegine balls)
- 1 pint black cherry tomatoes, halved (Kumato or dark varieties)
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- Salt, to taste
Optional Add-Ons:
- Black olives, diced (for spooky eyes)
- Pumpkin seeds, for garnish
- Spicy arugula, for a peppery kick
Substitutions & Shortcuts:
- Mozzarella: Use sliced or cubed mozzarella if you don’t want to mold skulls
- Tomatoes: Any cherry or grape tomatoes will work
- Balsamic vinegar: White balsamic or apple cider vinegar for a milder taste
- Basil: Swap for parsley, chives, or other fresh herbs
Instructions
- Prepare mozzarella skulls: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease silicone skull molds and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Add a ball of mozzarella into each mold cavity.
- Bake the cheese: Bake for 6–8 minutes until softened but not melted. Use a folded paper napkin to press cheese into shape gently. Chill in the refrigerator for 8–10 minutes.
- Release skulls: Carefully remove the molded mozzarella skulls from the molds and set aside on a serving platter.
- Slice the cherry tomatoes: Halve all tomatoes and set aside.
- Assemble the salad: In a medium bowl, gently toss the halved tomatoes with the mozzarella skulls.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, tossing gently to coat.
- Garnish: Scatter fresh basil leaves on top and season with salt to taste. Optionally, add diced black olives or pumpkin seeds.
- Serve: Present the salad immediately and enjoy your spooky, festive creation!
Notes
- Be careful when pressing the mozzarella; it will be hot and soft.
- Chilling the molded cheese helps maintain the skull shape.
- Use darker cherry tomatoes for a more dramatic Halloween contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Salad, Halloween Recipe, Appetizer
- Method: Baking & Assembling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of salad
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Halloween salad, mozzarella skulls, spooky Caprese, Halloween appetizer, festive salad