Jello Skulls

Happy Halloween! Some things I create for my blog fall under the category of “because I can!” They are silly. They are strange. They make me happy. These Jello Skulls fall into that last group.

Two years ago, this glorious pan came into my life and I knew, I just knew, some epic idea for Halloween would emerge from my brain and land on the plate.

The first year, Meatloaf Skulls were on the menu. They looked completely disgusting and we LOVED them, mostly because they looked gross and were perfect for Halloween dinner! Then tragedy struck and the pan was lost. Last year, I couldn’t find it! Normally, I pack my seasonal pans and dishes into storage boxes, neatly labeled and put in the garage until I need them again. The box with the Skull Pan got turned around so I couldn’t see the label. Sadness! I thought perhaps I’d loaned the pan and it wasn’t returned.

This year, my youngest son was helping me get out the Halloween boxes. I mentioned the pan to him and he offered to look. He found the backwards box, along with the pan and some other decorations I’d forgotten! HORRAY!!

Oh my gosh! I was so excited to have this pan back! My brain was spinning with ideas (as my boys were begging for Meatloaf Skulls again) Then it hit me. Sea Glass Jello! With a bit of tweaking, I could make Jello Skulls with the same concept. To be honest, I wasn’t sure they were going to work. I didn’t know how they would look, but it was an idea I simply had to try!

What do you think?

Kinda gross right? But, OH SO COOL!

The process is actually quite simple. I used a box of red raspberry Jello and boiling water to create the red, fleshy pieces for the skull. The jello is stirred until completely dissolved, then poured out on a quarter size sheet pan to cool overnight. Once ready, I diced the Jello into 1/4 inch squares, sprayed the pan with non-stick cooking spray, then filled each mold about halfway with the red jello cubes.

Then I made the white jello to resemble the bones and skin on the skull. That’s just unflavored gelatin with sweetened condensed milk. I also added brown and yellow food coloring to give it more of a skin tone instead of being stark white.

Some thoughts for next time. I’d leave the plain Jello stark white so it would show through more as bones. I’d also double the red jello to fill the molds more completely. I liked, but wasn’t thrilled with how much of a base the plain jello created. There needs to be less of it and more of the fleshy goop! HA!

Overall, I really liked this project! It was fun to do and certainly something I will look forward to making with my grandchildren. What did you think? Do you have any suggestions or ideas for other projects to do with this pan? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time, friends! Live life deliciously!

P.S. Go check out my Instagram Page for a silly little video with these skulls!