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Halloween Melon Monster Recipe
Ash Tyrrell

Halloween Melon Monster Recipe

I made these melon monsters last October, and I haven't stopped grinning since. A plain slice of watermelon turned into a toothy little creature in just a few minutes. The kids in my house went wild for the fangs and the bloody eyeballs.
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Total Time 15 minutes
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large watermelon: Pick one that feels heavy and has a deep hollow sound when tapped.
  • 8 to 12 plastic fake fangs teeth: Look for party-store vampire teeth, and wash them before use.
  • 1/4 cup candy "bloody eyeball" sprinkles: These add the creepy eyes and kids love placing them.

Method
 

  1. Rinse the whole watermelon under cool water and scrub the rind gently. Dry it with a clean towel so it won't slip on your board. I always set the board on a damp cloth for extra stability.
  2. Lay the watermelon on its side and slice it into rounds about one inch thick. That thickness is just right for holding the fangs in place. Cut the rounds into wedges or leave them whole, depending on how big you want your monsters.
  3. Set the slices on paper towels and blot the surface lightly. Extra juice can make the decorations slide around. I usually give them two or three minutes while I get the candy ready.
  4. On the top front edge of each slice, cut out a small piece of watermelon. This little gap is where the teeth will sit. Keep it small, because a tiny opening grips the fangs better.
  5. Push the fake teeth gently into the opening you just made. They stayed in place nicely for me, with no glue or toothpicks needed. If a pair feels loose, nudge it in a bit deeper.
  6. Now comes the fun part. Place the candy eyeballs on the red flesh above the mouth, in any pattern you like. I let the kids do this step, and their wonky, uneven placements made the monsters look even funnier.
  7. Move the monsters onto a platter and pop them in the fridge until serving time. Cold watermelon tastes much better and holds its shape well. Bring them out just before the party so the candy looks fresh.
  8. Let guests pick their favorite monster and admire the silly faces. Remind everyone to take the fangs out before biting in. I like to snap a quick photo first, since these look adorable on a party table.

Notes

  • I always pick a watermelon with a creamy yellow spot on the rind, because that sign tells me it ripened well.
  • I wash and dry the fangs first, since they come from a party store and may have dust on them.
  • I let the kids decorate, because their quirky eye placement gives each monster its own personality.
  • I keep the mouth cut small, so the teeth grip firmly instead of falling out.
  • I decorate close to serving time, because the candy can get sticky if it sits on wet fruit for too long.
  • I use a seedless watermelon when kids are eating, so nobody has to pick out seeds.
  • I chill the whole melon overnight, because a cold watermelon slices more cleanly and tastes far more refreshing.
  • I make one test monster first, so I can see how deep the mouth cut should be before doing the whole batch.
  • I cut a thin slice off the bottom of any wobbly wedge, so it stands steady on the platter.
  • I set out a small bowl of candy eyeballs and let guests add their own, which turns the snack into a party activity.