Corpse Bride - Screen to Cuisine

 

Corpse Bride Inspired Recipes – Chicken Gnocchi “Eyeball” Soup & Mini Wedding Cake

When it comes to spooky classics, Tim Burton is the undisputed king of Halloween movies. While I wouldn’t call myself his biggest fan, one of the films I adored when I was younger was The Corpse Bride. The dark, whimsical aesthetic, the slightly eerie humor, and the hauntingly beautiful storyline made it unforgettable.

Now, The Corpse Bride doesn’t really feature much in the way of food, but there is one scene that gave me inspiration. During Barkis Bittern’s speech at Victor and Victoria’s ill-fated wedding, the banquet table is set with individual poussin, a bowl of soup (complete with a floating eyeball!), and a wedding cake.

So, in honor of that macabre wedding feast, I decided to recreate a Corpse Bride–themed menu:

• A chicken gnocchi soup with eyeball-shaped gnocchi 🥣

• A mini wedding cake, perfect for two 👰🏻‍♀️🎂

These recipes are comforting, fun, and just a little bit spooky—making them perfect for Halloween movie nights or a gothic-themed dinner.

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Chicken Gnocchi “Eyeball” Soup Recipe

This comforting chicken gnocchi soup gets a Corpse Bride twist with gnocchi shaped like eyeballs. It’s hearty, flavorful, and just creepy enough to feel like it came straight from the underworld.

Ingredients for the Gnocchi

• 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced

• 1 medium egg

• 300g plain flour

• Salt, as needed

How to Make Gnocchi (Eyeball Style)

1. Cook the potato – Place in a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water and salt, cover with cling film (pierced with 2–3 holes), and microwave for 5–10 minutes until very soft. Drain.

2. Mash and mix – Push the potato through a ricer or sieve into a bowl. Allow to cool slightly, then mix in the egg. Gradually incorporate the flour to form a dough.

3. Shape into eyeballs – Divide the dough into small portions and roll into round gnocchi “eyeballs.”

4. Cook the gnocchi – Drop into salted boiling water. When they float (after 3–5 minutes), remove and rinse under cold water. Set aside.

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Ingredients for the Soup

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 1 leek, thinly sliced and washed

• 2 carrots, peeled and diced

• 1 celery stick, finely diced

• 1 large chicken breast

• 2 pucks frozen spinach, roughly chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, grated

• 1 tsp rosemary

• ½ tsp thyme

• 1 tsp sage

• 2 Tbsp butter

• 2 Tbsp plain flour

• 500ml chicken stock

• 200ml whole milk

• 200ml double cream

• 2 Tbsp parmesan, grated

• Salt & pepper

Method

1. Start the base – Melt butter in a large pot. Add onion, leek, carrot, celery, salt, and pepper. Cook low and slow for 15 minutes until softened.

2. Poach the chicken – While the veg cooks, poach the chicken breast in the stock for 20 minutes. Shred once cooked.

3. Add flavor – Stir garlic, rosemary, thyme, sage, and flour into the vegetables. Cook for 3-5 minutes.

4. Build the soup – Add spinach and gradually pour in the stock, stirring to dissolve the flour. Simmer for 10 minutes.

5. Finish with creaminess – Add the shredded chicken, milk, and cream. Simmer gently, then stir in the parmesan. Season to taste.

6. Add the “eyeballs” – Drop in the gnocchi to warm for a minute before serving.

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Mini Wedding Cake (Corpse Bride Inspired)

Now, about that gothic wedding cake… I’ll be honest—I didn’t bake this one from scratch. With so many Halloween recipes on the go, I took a shortcut. But even with a simple shop-bought sponge, you can still create a Corpse Bride–inspired centerpiece.

Here’s how I did it:

• Start with a small cake (perfect for two).

• Cover it in rolled fondant.

• Roll out more fondant, cut into “drip” shapes, and layer them over the top for a spooky, gothic look.

The result? A tiny gothic wedding cake that looks like it belongs at Barkis Bittern’s sinister speech right before he meets his demise.

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Final Thoughts

These Corpse Bride–inspired recipes are perfect for adding a spooky twist to your Halloween table or movie night. The chicken gnocchi “eyeball” soup is comforting and creepy in equal measure, while the mini wedding cake adds a gothic touch to the occasion.

So grab your favorite Tim Burton film, light some candles, and serve up a little taste of the underworld. 🖤