Zombie Brains
Make your Halloween party unforgettable with Zombie Brains filled with brain worms. It looks gross enough to give people the creeps, but it’s easy to make and fun to serve. This is the kind of recipe that gets people talking and laughing.
The texture of a gelatin brain is like classic Knox blocks. That is to say thicker than regular gelatin but still smooth and sweet. Lime Jello gives it that eerie green color, while gummy worms peek through for just the right amount of spooky.
It’s the perfect recipe for a Halloween table, potluck, or classroom party. Easy to prepare ahead, simple ingredients, and guaranteed to grab attention. Kids love the worms, and adults get a kick out of the creepy look.
What You Need To Make a Zombie Brain
Gelatin is one of the most cost-effective store-bought items you can stock for fun recipes like this. Grab a couple boxes of green Jello, gummy worms and you’ll be set with everything you need for a big spooky centerpiece.
- green gelatin
- boiling water
- gummy worms
- bowl
- whisk
- brain mold
- baking spray or oil mister
- baking tray
Change it up by adding whatever gummy candy you want to add. Think rats, Swedish Fish, peach rings, or even marshmallows for a silly twist. The beauty is in the mix, and any gummy candy will work here.
For an extra laugh, garnish the platter with crushed chocolate cookies for “dirt” and scatter a few plastic spiders around the brain before serving.
Tips For Unmolding A Gelatin Mold
To release gelatin in a silicone mold gently peel the edges away from the mold all the way around. Be careful not to break or tear the gelatin. Fill a bowl or sink with warm water, just enough to reach the rim of the mold, and lower the mold in for about ten seconds. Lift it out, dry the exterior, and gently shake it to see if the edges have released.
Place your serving plate upside down on top of the mold, hold them together firmly, and turn them over in one smooth motion. Let the mold sit for a few seconds so the gelatin can drop onto the plate. If it doesn’t release right away, give it a gentle tap or dip it again briefly in warm water before trying once more.
To Store
Store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge to keep them from picking up odors or drying out. It will hold for a couple of days and still look creepy when served again.
Zombie Brains
Equipment
- whisk
- Bowl
- Baking spray Oil Mister
- Paper towel
- Small baking tray
- Large pan or bowl (for unmolding)
- Serving platter
Ingredients
- 2 6-ounce boxes green gelatin
- 4 cups boiling water
- 24 Gummy worms
- optional garnishes think extra gummy worms, crushed chocolate for "dirt", plastic spiders
Instructions
- Boil water
- Spray the brain mold with baking spray or oil mister and use a paper towel to coat the crevices
- Set the mold on a small baking tray
- Dissolve one box of gelatin in 2⅓ cups boiling water and whisk until dissolved
- Pour about one-third of the gelatin into the mold
- Chill for 30 minutes or until just starting to set
- Poke a few gummy worms into the gelatin
- Pour another one-third of gelatin on top and add more worms
- Chill again for 30 minutes
- Repeat layering gelatin and worms until the mold is full
- Refrigerate for 24 hours to fully set
To Serve
- Prepare your serving platter and garnishes
- Loosen the edges of the gelatin by gently pulling them away from the mold
- Fill a large pan or bowl with hot water and set the mold in it for 20–30 seconds to loosen
- Remove and dry the mold
- Invert the platter on top, then flip everything over
- Gently ease the gelatin out of the mold
- If needed, repeat the warm-water step
- Press halved gummy worms into cracks or on top for a creepy finish
- Garnish the platter and serve with a spoon
