Description
A fun twist on a classic cheeseburger, these Cozy Cheeseburger Skulls are perfect for Halloween or any family gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 tablespoons (56 grams) salted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups (420 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon (9 grams) instant yeast
- 3/4 cup (170 grams) lukewarm water (100-110°F)
- 32 ounces (900 grams) 80/20 ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter, lard, or vegetable oil for cooking
- 8 slices of white cheese (American, Cheddar, Provolone, or Havarti)
- Burger toppings (tomato, lettuce, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, onions, pickles)
Instructions
- Prepare your pans: Use one tablespoon of butter to liberally grease 8 skull cavities in your Nordic Ware skull pans. Reserve 2 tablespoons of butter for later.
- Mix ingredients: Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into small pieces and place them in a mixing bowl. Add the flour, egg, sugar, salt, and yeast.
- Add water: Pour the lukewarm water over the ingredients and mix until well blended.
- Knead the dough: Knead the dough using a stand mixer or by hand on a floured countertop for 5-7 minutes, until the dough springs back when poked.
- Let it rise: Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until it doubles in size, about 60-120 minutes.
- Shape the buns: Once risen, deflate the dough and divide it into 8 even pieces (about 95 grams each). Press the dough into the greased skull cavities.
- Second rise: Cover the skull pans with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for 60 minutes.
- Preheat the oven: Towards the end of this rising time, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the buns: Bake the buns for 14-18 minutes, depending on how dark you prefer them.
- Butter the buns: Remove the pans from the oven and carefully dump the skulls onto a cooling rack. Brush melted butter over the skull-shaped hamburger buns.
- Prepare skull-shaped cheeseburgers: Divide the ground beef into 8 portions and gently shape the burgers into skull shapes.
- Season and cook: Season the burgers with salt and pepper. Heat 1 teaspoon of butter, lard, or oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until smoking.
- Cook the burgers: Place three burgers in the pan and cook for about 3 minutes on each side until cooked to your liking.
- Melt the cheese: Place a slice of cheese over each burger, covering with a lid for the cheese to melt.
- Assemble your creations: Place a burger on each bun and add your favorite toppings.
- Serve and enjoy: Set your table, and serve these delightful Cheeseburger Skulls, ready for everyone to dig in!
Notes
Make-ahead options available; dough can be refrigerated overnight.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skull cheeseburger
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg