Ghost Shaped Mozzarella

Halloween recipes are always the most fun to play around with, and these mozzarella ghosts are proof of that. They look spooky but are actually really simple to make with just a mold and a few tricks. I tested three different methods and will show you the two that worked best. Pair them with my homemade bolognese sauce for the cutest and tastiest Halloween dish.

What you need to make Halloween shapes with Mozzarella Cheese:

• Halloween Mold: There are plenty of options on Amazon to choose from. This is the one I got, but you can also find versions with bigger cavities, like this one. I would not recommend going with smaller cavities than the one I used.
• Mozzarella or bocconcini: You can use mozzarella by cutting it into small pieces, or swap it for bocconcini.

The first method (Oven Method):

1. Preheat the oven to 165°C (329°F).
2. Cut mozzarella into small cubes or into half spheres if you are using bocconcini, then place them into the mold. Make sure the mozzarella is bigger than the ghost, it will shrink when heated and lose water.
3. Put the mold in the oven and bake for 3 minutes, just until the mozzarella is tender. DO NOT let it melt all the way through.
4. Remove the mold from the oven. Do not dry the water released by the mozzarella.
5. Let it sit at room temperature for about a minute, then carefully press the mozzarella with your fingers while holding it in place with two fingers. Be careful not to burn yourself. You can also use a spoon for this step.
6. Leave the mozzarella in the mold for a few more minutes at room temperature until it holds its shape. If you do not want to wait, place the mold in the fridge.
7. Once firm enough, remove the mozzarella ghosts from the mold and place them in cold water. Keep them in the fridge until you are ready to use them.

The second method (Microwave Method):

1. Place a small piece of mozzarella in a heatproof bowl. Do not use the whole ball at once. Each tranche made about 3 ghosts, so start small.
2. Microwave for 15 seconds. The mozzarella will soften and release some water. Stir it around until it comes together into a dough. If it is too hot to handle, let it cool slightly.
3. Tear off small pieces, place them in the mold, and press down so they take the shape.
4. Let the mozzarella sit in the fridge or at room temperature. It does not take long for the shape to set.
5. When ready, remove the ghosts carefully from the mold and place them in cold water. Store them in the fridge until serving.

Which method is best?
Both methods work, but I preferred the microwave method. It feels a lot like playing with playdough, since the mozzarella turns into a dough that you can shape easily. The oven method is a bit trickier. Even if you add more mozzarella than the size of the mold, you can still end up with a smaller piece once it sets. The microwave is faster, keeps more moisture, and gives you better control when filling the mold.

🙅🏻‍♀️ The method I did not like:

I tried the oven one first, then I was like ok I need an even easier one so I tried the microwave method. After that I thought why not combine both. I cut the mozzarella, placed it in the mold, and put the mold straight in the microwave for 15 seconds. The result was not it. Too much water came out, it was messy to press down, and the mozzarella lost a lot of volume. So I am not including this method, but I am glad I tried it.