Halloween is my favorite time to get creative in the kitchen—especially when I can make treats that are equal parts spooky and adorable. These Strawberry Ghosts became our family tradition after my then-5-year-old declared regular strawberries “too boring” for our monster mash party. What started as a last-minute Pinterest fail (who knew white chocolate could seize up so fast?) turned into our most requested Halloween recipe!
After dipping more berries than I can count over the years—and learning all the tricks to keep chocolate smooth—I can promise these are the easiest way to impress at any Halloween gathering. They’re perfect for:
- Baking with kids (messy faces guaranteed)
- Last-minute dessert emergencies
- Adding a sweet touch to haunted house parties
The best part? You probably have most ingredients already. Just grab some fresh strawberries and white chocolate chips—I’ll walk you through every step so your ghosts turn out boo-tifully perfect!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Ghosts
Trust me, these little spooky treats will become your new Halloween obsession. Here’s why they’re absolutely irresistible:
- Done in 20 minutes flat – No oven time means you can whip these up while the kids pick out costumes
- Impossible to mess up (seriously, even my lopsided ghost faces get compliments!)
- Kid-approved fun – My littles go wild decorating the faces (pro tip: put newspaper down first)
- Just 4 simple ingredients – I’ve made these last-minute with gas station strawberries in a pinch
- Secretly kinda healthy – Shh…you’re getting fruit while eating chocolate. Parent win!
The first time I made them, my husband said they looked “too cute to eat”…then promptly ate five. That’s when I knew this recipe was a keeper!
Ingredients for Strawberry Ghosts
Here’s everything you’ll need for these adorable (and slightly spooky) treats! The magic is in the details—I’ve learned the hard way that quality ingredients make all the difference with dipped strawberries.
- 12 fresh strawberries – Look for medium-sized berries with bright green tops (they make perfect ghost “hats”)
- 1 cup white chocolate chips – I swear by Ghirardelli or Guittard for the creamiest melt
- 1 tsp coconut oil – This little trick keeps the chocolate perfectly dippable
- Black icing or melted dark chocolate – For the faces! I use Wilton’s black icing tubes when I’m feeling lazy
Pro tip: Let your strawberries sit on the counter for 30 minutes before dipping—room temp berries won’t make your chocolate seize up. And if you’re doubling the batch (you’ll want to!), just keep the ratios the same!
How to Make Strawberry Ghosts
Okay, let’s make some spooky-cute strawberry ghosts together! I’ve learned all the tricks (and fixed all the fails) so your ghosts turn out perfectly the first time. Follow these steps closely—especially the chocolate melting part—and you’ll be amazed at how professional they look!
Preparing the Strawberries
First things first: your berries gotta be BONE DRY. I learned this the hard way when my chocolate turned into a grainy mess. Here’s my foolproof method:
- Gently rinse strawberries under cool water (don’t soak them!)
- Pat each one dry with paper towels like you’re tucking them into bed
- Let them air-dry upside down on a towel for 10 minutes (this gets rid of hidden water in the leafy tops)
See those little green leaves? Don’t remove them! They’ll become the cutest little ghost hats after dipping.
Melting the Chocolate
This is where magic happens—or disasters, if you’re not careful! My microwave method never fails:
- Combine white chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl (that oil keeps it silky!)
- Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring vigorously between each one
- Stop when there are still a few unmelted chips—the residual heat will finish the job as you stir
PLEASE don’t overheat it! Burnt white chocolate turns into cement (voice of experience here). If it gets too thick, add more coconut oil ¼ tsp at a time until it flows like warm honey.
Decorating the Ghost Faces
Now for the fun part! Here’s how I get those perfect spooky expressions:
- Hold dipped berries by the leaves and let excess chocolate drip off
- Place on parchment paper—they’ll set in about 5 minutes
- Use a toothpick or piping bag to draw simple oval eyes and surprised “O” mouths
Pro tip: If your icing is too runny, pop it in the fridge for 5 minutes first. And don’t stress about perfection—wonky faces make them extra charming (my kid’s lopsided ghosts always steal the show!).
Tips for Perfect Strawberry Ghosts
After making these ghosts for years (and surviving every possible chocolate disaster), here are my hard-earned secrets:
- Chill before decorating – Let the dipped berries set in the fridge for 5 minutes before drawing faces—it prevents smudges!
- Room temp is key – Cold strawberries make chocolate clump instantly. If you forgot, just microwave them for 3-5 seconds to take the chill off.
- Double dip for thick coats – If your first layer looks thin, pop ’em in the fridge for 2 minutes, then dip again.
- Keep it moving – Stir melted chocolate every 10 minutes if decorating a big batch—it thickens as it cools.
Bonus trick: Store leftover melted chocolate in a squeeze bottle for quick fixes—just warm it up later for drizzling!
Variations & Serving Ideas
Once you’ve mastered the classic strawberry ghosts, try these fun twists to mix things up! My kids beg for “zombie berries” where I drizzle a bit of pink chocolate “blood” over the white coating. Here are more ideas that always wow at parties:
- Matcha ghosts – Add ½ tsp matcha powder to the melted chocolate for earthy green spirits
- Chocolate graveyard – Arrange ghosts on crushed Oreo “dirt” with cookie tombstone decorations
- Spooky pops – Insert lollipop sticks before dipping for mess-free kid treats
- Boo-nana ghosts – Use the same technique with banana slices for a fun variation
Last year I served them on a slate cheese board with dry ice “fog” bubbling underneath – the oohs and ahhs were totally worth the extra effort!
Storage & Reheating
These little ghosts are best enjoyed the same day (if they last that long!), but you can store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Here’s my trick: line an airtight container with paper towels to absorb any condensation – soggy ghosts are the scariest thing about this recipe! If your chocolate gets dull in the fridge, just let them sit at room temp for 5 minutes before serving.
Strawberry Ghosts FAQs
Over the years, I’ve gotten every question imaginable about these cute little ghosts. Here are the answers to the ones that pop up most often!
Can I use milk chocolate instead of white?
Technically yes…but they’ll look more like muddy blobs than ghosts! The white chocolate makes that perfect spooky silhouette. If you must switch, try adding a teaspoon of coconut oil to keep it dippable.
Help! My chocolate seized up—what now?
Don’t panic! I’ve rescued more chocolate disasters than I can count. Add another ½ tsp coconut oil and microwave for 5 seconds, stirring like crazy. If it’s really stubborn, whisk in a tablespoon of warm cream (just don’t tell my dairy-free friends I said that).
Any vegan substitutions?
Absolutely! Use dairy-free white chocolate chips (I love Pascha brand) and skip the dairy-based icing. Melted coconut butter makes a great face paint alternative too—just mix with a bit of cocoa powder.
Still stumped? Shoot me a message—I’ve probably made every mistake possible with this recipe and lived to tell the tale!
Nutritional Information
Just a quick note – nutrition facts can vary based on your specific ingredients and brands. The estimates below are per strawberry using standard measurements:
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 5g
- Fat: 2g
Remember, you’re still getting a dose of fruit with that chocolate coating – not too scary for your waistline!
Final Thoughts
I’d love to see your ghostly creations! Tag me on Instagram with your spooky strawberry faces – nothing makes me happier than seeing families making memories with this recipe. And if you loved it as much as we do, drop a star rating below! Happy haunting (and munching)!
Print
“Drool-Worthy Strawberry Ghosts Recipe – Ready in 20 Minutes!”
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 strawberries 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Fun and spooky white chocolate-dipped strawberries decorated with ghost faces. A perfect Halloween treat.
Ingredients
- 12 fresh strawberries
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- Black icing or melted dark chocolate for decorating
Instructions
- Wash and dry strawberries thoroughly.
- Melt white chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate, leaving the top uncovered for the ghost face.
- Place on parchment paper to set.
- Use black icing or melted dark chocolate to draw ghost faces on the dipped strawberries.
- Let chill in the fridge for 15 minutes to harden.
Notes
- Use room-temperature strawberries for better chocolate adhesion.
- If the chocolate is too thick, add more coconut oil.
- Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 strawberry
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 2mg