Halloween is the perfect time to have fun in the kitchen and create dishes that are silly, spooky, and a little bit creepy! These Spooky Eyeballs Jelly are made with agar-agar and are surprisingly easy to make. I love to make this together with my son before we start trick-or-treating and by the time we are back home with tired legs and basket full of treats, it’s time to enjoy this spooky dessert together!
The best part is how versatile they are. You can use these spooky jelly eyeballs to transform almost any Halloween treat or drink into something fun and festive. They’re perfect for both kids’ Halloween parties and grown-up gatherings. For this recipe, I’m pairing the spooky eyeballs with creamy vanilla Greek yogurt and raspberry compote for a fun and colorful Halloween dessert.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
small saucepan, medium saucepan, stove, small bowls, ramekins, spoon, plastic pipette/dropper, round mold, refrigerator, dessert bowl or glass
ACTIVE: 20m
INACTIVE: 2h
TOTAL: 2h 20m
PRINT RECIPE
directions
Make the Pupil & Iris Jelly
In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, and agar-agar powder. Stir until well combined.
Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly.
Once it reaches a gentle boil, continue cooking for 3 minutes, stirring constantly to fully activate the agar-agar.
Remove from the heat and divide the mixture between 3 small bowls or ramekins.
Make the Black Pupils
Take about 3 tablespoons of the clear agar-agar mixture and place it in a small bowl.
Add black cacao powder a little at a time, stirring until you achieve a deep, solid black color.
Using a plastic pipette/dropper, carefully place one small drop of the black agar-agar mixture into the center of each cavity in the round mold.
Let the pupils sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes, or until the surface is set.
Make the Blue Iris
Take another portion of the clear agar-agar mixture.
Add a small amount of butterfly pea flower powder and stir until the desired blue color is reached.
Add a little edible glitter, if desired, and stir well.
Carefully pour the blue mixture over the set black pupils, filling each cavity to about ¾ full.
Set aside at room temperature and allow the jelly to cool and completely set for at least 30 minutes.
Make the Red Iris
In another small bowl, mix the remaining clear agar-agar mixture with hibiscus flower powder until you reach your desired red color.
Carefully pour the red mixture over the set black pupils in another section of the mold, filling each cavity to about ¾ full.
Let the jelly cool and completely set at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Make the White Eyeball Jelly
In a medium saucepan, combine milk, sugar, and agar-agar powder.
Stir well to combine.
Place over medium-low heat and bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly.
Once it reaches a gentle boil, continue cooking for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly while keeping it warm and pourable.
Carefully pour the milk agar-agar mixture into the mold over the set colorful jelly layers.
Fill each cavity completely.
Close the mold tightly.
Place the mold in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour, or until completely set.
Make the Yogurt Parfait
Spoon vanilla Greek yogurt into a small dessert bowl or glass.
Add a layer of raspberry compote or raspberry jam.
Carefully place one or more spooky eyeball jellies on top.
Serve immediately and enjoy your spooky Halloween treat!
expiry
Can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days in an airtight container
tips
Keep the clear agar-agar mixture warm. Agar-agar sets quickly as it cools. If your reserved mixture becomes too firm while you’re working, gently reheat it in the microwave for 10–15 seconds until warm and pourable again.
Let each layer cool completely. Allow each colorful layer to set at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before adding the next layer. Avoid putting the mold in the refrigerator between the colorful layers, as rapid cooling can increase the chance of the layers separating.
