Decorate a cool-looking Halloween Spinach Artichoke Dip using a pumpkin carving stencil. You can turn an ordinary dip into Frankenstein or a Witch. It's easy and fun!
If you are looking for a fun Halloween dip, you've got to give this Frankenstein dip a try. This is my absolute favorite Halloween recipe creation from my first cookbook, Hungry Halloween, featuring Movie Monster Munchies, Bewitched Buffet, and Dead Man's Diner. I hope you like it too.
It's created using elements of a typical spinach artichoke dip but the artichoke dip is spread into a baking dish and the green spinach dip is spread on top in the shape of a Halloween character.
You'll use a stencil or pumpkin carving template to create the design on top of the dip. To create the face of Frankenstein's monster you'll sprinkle crushed blue corn tortilla chips over the green dip.
Variations
You can make this Halloween dip using any stencil or pumpkin carving template of Frankenstein's monster.
I used this stencil created from a classic Frankenstein movie poster. This dip was great for our Halloween Movie Night.
I also served a Vampire Pizza, Jack Skellington Dip, Cookies and Cream Halloween Popcorn, and Werewolf Cupcakes. My friends loved all of these fun Halloween movie-themed snacks.
You can also use a witch stencil or pumpkin carving template to create this fun Witch Dip.
I served all three of these dips at different Halloween parties. My guests always rave about the recipe and they love my designs.
This witch dip was a perfect accompaniment to our Witch Cookies, Crescent Roll Witch Hat Appetizers, and Black Cat Cheese Ball.
Supplies
Monster Stencil - Click this link for a full size printable PDF file of the monster template. Print the monster template on an 8 ½" x 11" paper. Set the printed template on a cutting board and lay a clear stencil sheet on top. Use a hobby knife or stencil cutter to cut out the black areas of the image.
1 Blank Stencil Sheet
Hobby knife or a Stencil cutter
Food processor
Pastry brush
disposable pastry bag or a heavy-duty zip-top bag
Ingredients
Artichoke Dip Layer: marinated artichokes, roasted garlic, cream cheese, mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese (use Parmigiano-Reggiano for the best flavor)
Spinach Dip Layer: frozen spinach, water chestnuts, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, roasted garlic, salt, lemon juice, onion powder, blue tortilla chips
Instructions
Artichoke Dip
- Drain the artichokes and squeeze them dry.
- Pour artichokes, roasted garlic cloves, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Parmesan cheese into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is well combined.
- Spoon into a 9" x 13" baking pan.
Spread into pan and add the outline.
- Spread the artichoke dip in an even layer in a 9” x 13” baking dish.
- Smooth out the top using an offset spatula or large spoon.
- Lay the Frankenstein stencil on top of the artichoke dip.
- Use a sharp knife to trace around the outline of the monster's head.
- Remove the stencil and wipe it clean.
Spinach Dip
- Drain spinach by squeezing it into several layers of paper towels.
- Place spinach in the food processor bowl (you don't even have to clean the bowl.)
- Add water chestnuts, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, roasted garlic, salt, lemon juice, and onion powder.
- Pulse until creamy and smooth.
Add the Frankenstein design.
- Spoon the spinach dip into a disposable pastry bag or heavy-duty zip-top bag and cut off the tip of the bag.
- Pipe the spinach dip over the artichoke dip within the lines left by the knife.
- Fill in the monster's head with spinach dip, so his entire head is green.
- Pour blue corn tortilla chips into a clean bowl in the food processor. Pulse to fine crumbs.
- Lay stencil over top of spinach dip.
- Sprinkle ground tortilla chips over cut-out areas on the stencil.
- Clean off excess crumbs using a pastry brush. Gently lift off the stencil.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days. Serve cold.
- You can also heat the dip up in the oven if you prefer, but I really like it cold and it will taste better throughout the party if it is served cold.
Related Recipes
Recipe
Create a green Frankenstein's Monster using spinach tip layered over creamy artichoke dip. This delicious dip is perfect for Halloween.
- 2 (14 oz.) jars of marinated artichokes
- 5 cloves roasted garlic (see notes)
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (use Parmigiano-Reggiano for the best flavor)
- 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed
- 1 can water chestnuts
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 5 cloves roasted garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 ounces blue tortilla chips
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Drain the artichokes and squeeze them dry.
-
Pour artichokes, roasted garlic cloves, cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Parmesan cheese into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until mixture is well combined.
-
Spoon into a 9" x 13" baking pan.
-
Drain spinach by squeezing it in several layers of paper towels.
-
Place spinach in the food processor bowl and add the water chestnuts, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, roasted garlic, salt, lemon juice, and onion powder.
-
Pulse until creamy and smooth.
-
Spread the artichoke dip in an even layer in a 9” x 13” baking dish.
-
Smooth out the top using an offset spatula or large spoon.
-
Lay stencil on top of the artichoke dip.
-
Use a sharp knife to trace around the outline of the monster's head.
-
Remove the stencil and wipe it clean.
-
Spoon the spinach dip into a disposable pastry bag or heavy-duty zip-top bag and cut off the tip of the bag.
-
Pipe the spinach dip over the artichoke dip within the lines left by the knife.
-
Fill in the monster's head with spinach dip, so his entire head is green.
-
Pour blue corn tortilla chips into a clean bowl in the food processor. Pulse to fine crumbs.
-
Lay stencil over top of spinach dip.
-
Sprinkle ground tortilla chips over cut-out areas on the stencil.
-
Clean off excess crumbs using a pastry brush. Gently lift-off stencil.
-
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days. Serve cold or warm it in a 300 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.
Roasting Garlic
To roast garlic: Drizzle some olive oil over peeled garlic cloves. Loosely wrap in foil and roast in a 375-degree oven for 45 minutes. Remove from foil and let cool before using in your dips.
Frankenstein Template
Print the monster template on an 8 ½" x 11" paper. Set the printed template on a cutting board and lay a clear stencil sheet on top. Use a hobby knife or stencil cutter to cut out the black areas of the image. Get the template - https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Monster-template-full-size.pdf
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Mikie
has anyone tried this heated up? I would love to serve it heated but am afraid the spinach dip will melt and spread into the artichoke dip. Please advise. Thank you!
Beth
I do think you could heat it up, but I'd probably heat in a low oven at about 250 degrees until it's warm. That way the cheese in the dip will warm through but won't melt and bubble up which could cause the spinach dip to spread. This dip recipe is great hot. I've made it many times for parties.
Mikie
Thanks! I warmed it and it was a success!! I also made the entire recipe VEGAN!!
Beth
That is so great to hear! I'm so happy it worked out.
Robyn
Can wax paper be used for the template?
Beth
I think you need something a bit more sturdy that wax paper for such an intricate design. If you do a simpler design then you could possibly use wax paper.
make handmade
Great ideas for Halloween! i love it.
Karen @ It's the Suburbs or Bust- Yo!
Hi I featured your Frankenstein this week @ WorkShop Wednesday! Thanks for linking to the party!
Beth Jackson Klosterboer
Thanks everyone. So happy to see you like my monster too! Thanks also for all of the links to this post. I sure appreciate it.
Beth @ Hungry Happenings
Shannon, Food Channel Editor, Momtrends.com
I love it! My son would be so fascinated with a Frankenstein dip.
Thanks for linking up to Momtrends!
Karen @ It's the Suburbs or Bust- Yo!
This is awesome, I just asked my husband if it reminded him of anyone. I would love it if you linked it to @ WorkShop Wednesday. Come link up!
Crystal
No way! How fun and creative. Totally sharing on Facebook.
Thank you so much for linking up such a great idea.
CuteEverything.com
He is so great! Congrats on your news coverage in your area. That was really nice of you to make him for the people! I bet they loved him! And he sounds so yummy, too.
Venassa
That looks great! Very creative.