Cheeseburger Skulls Bone-In Buns (Printable Version)
Skull-shaped buns cradle juicy cheeseburgers with gooey cheese, perfect for themed celebrations or Halloween.
# What You'll Need:
→ Hamburger Buns
01 -
5 tablespoons salted butter, softened, divided
02 -
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
03 -
1 large egg
04 -
1/4 cup granulated sugar
05 -
1 teaspoon salt
06 -
1 tablespoon instant yeast
07 -
3/4 cup lukewarm water (100–110°F)
→ Cheeseburgers
08 -
2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
09 -
Salt, to taste
10 -
Black pepper, to taste
11 -
1 tablespoon butter, lard, or vegetable oil
12 -
8 slices white cheese (such as American, Cheddar, Provolone, or Havarti)
→ Burger Toppings
13 -
Sliced tomato
14 -
Lettuce leaves
15 -
Ketchup
16 -
Mustard
17 -
Mayonnaise
18 -
Sliced onions
19 -
Pickle slices
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
Generously grease 8 skull-shaped cavities in specialized pans with 1 tablespoon of softened butter to ensure easy release after baking.
02 -
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons softened butter (cut in pieces), all-purpose flour, egg, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Pour in lukewarm water and blend thoroughly with a spoon or stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
03 -
Knead dough by hand on a floured surface or with a mixer for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise at room temperature until doubled in volume, approximately 1 to 2 hours.
04 -
Punch down dough and divide into 8 equal portions. Shape each piece to fit snugly into the greased skull pan cavities. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until nearly doubled, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F.
05 -
Bake skull buns for 14–18 minutes, rotating halfway, until golden brown. For a lighter crust, remove at 14 minutes; for deeper color, bake up to 18 minutes. Immediately invert buns onto a wire rack to cool.
06 -
Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and brush thoroughly over the tops of warm buns for a glossy finish. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
07 -
Divide ground beef into 8 even portions. Shape each into a skull using hands or a suitable mold, refrigerating shaped patties until ready to cook.
08 -
Season patties generously with salt and pepper just before cooking. Heat 1 teaspoon butter, lard, or oil over medium-high in a cast iron or nonstick skillet until shimmering. Cook 3 burgers at a time, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare (135°F).
09 -
After flipping, top each burger with a slice of cheese and cover pan to melt the cheese thoroughly. Repeat process for remaining burgers.
10 -
Slice cooled skull buns. Place cheeseburger patties on buns and layer with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and desired condiments. Serve immediately.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Skull-shaped pans provide the hallmark spooky effect; grease thoroughly for best release. For defined skull details, press dough firmly into molds. Allow buns to cool completely before slicing to maintain structure.