Lipton Spinach Dip in Halloween Bread Bowl

Want a memorable Halloween themed appetizer for adults? Serve cold spinach dip in a bread bowl shaped like a casket and your guests will “scream” with delight!

I’ll show you how to start with a firm whole loaf of bread and cut it into a coffin shape. Then add Lipton’s famous spinach dip recipe and place a mini skeleton inside. You’ll have a dead man’s dip to “die” for!

Ingredient Notes

Make the spinach dip up to a day ahead so the flavors can fully develop.

• Frozen chopped spinach. Thawed according to package directions. Let it cool so you can handle it and squeeze out all the liquid. I use a tea towel to wrap the spinach in and give it a good squeeze.
• Vegetable seasoning packet. Use Lipton or Knorr brand.
• Water chestnuts. These add crunchy texture to the dip. Use a small can and drain the liquid, then give them a fine chop. You can also substitute peeled and chopped radishes if you like.
• Dippers. Serve with blue corn tortilla chips, pretzel crisps, crackers, cut vegetables, or bread cubes.

Best Bread for Bread Bowl

In order to carve out a coffin shape you’ll need a whole loaf of bread that has not been sliced. It should be the traditional rectangle bread pan shape, or you can use an oblong loaf if needed.

Any sturdy loaf should work and you’re best bet is to look in the bakery section of the grocery store. The one I used here is called Farmstyle bread and it’s from Wegman’s bakery.

How To Make The Dip

1. Break up the spinach so it’s easier to combine with the other ingredients. Add everything to a large mixing bowl and mix well so everything is integrated.
2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours so flavors can marry. Serve with dippers when ready.

How To Make A Bread Coffin

1. Cut the top portion of bread loaf on three sides, trying to keep one long side attached to act as the lid.
2. Score the bottom portion leaving a 3/4 inch border all the way around the edge, and scoop out the middle of the bread, about 2 inches deep.
3. Do the same with the “lid” section, but scoop out only about 1/2 to 3/4 inch deep. Save bread to cut into cubes and serve with dip.

4. Add a casket handle to the front side using one crunchy bread stick and two toothpicks.
5. Prop the “lid” open with wooden skewers, like a hinge, to hold it in place.

Helpful Tips

• Carry out the Halloween graveyard theme by adding mini tombstones and skeletons to the table decoration. Include tombstone sandwiches and this easy Halloween coffin cake, or Halloween dirt pudding cups that look like little graveyards
• If you’re making this for a Halloween party, prepare it a day ahead to make day-of prep easy.
• Display the bread coffin on an oblong platter and surround it with dippers so they’re easy to grab.
• Add the dip recipe to your usual appetizer parties and serve it in a regular bowl.

Serving Suggestions

October is a great time to serve Halloween themed food because there are so many hosting occasions like a family friendly pumpkin carving party.

Serve this coffin dip for a Halloween dinner party, a witch themed party, or a gothic glam theme ladies night.

Fun fact: This idea was one of my very first blog posts way back in 2008! I had seen the coffin bread in a Woman’s Day magazine so I added the spinach dip as my own adaptation, and people have been making it this way ever since. I hope you enjoy these updated photos and tips for Halloween spinach dip in coffin bread bowl.