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Spooky Halloween Charcuterie Board: Easy Cheese Ghosts

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Create a show-stopping Halloween charcuterie board with adorable cheese ghosts, savory meats, and spooky decorations. This easy, no-bake appetizer comes together in under 30 minutes and is perfect for parties, movie nights, or trunk-or-treats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 blocks (8 oz each) white cheddar or mozzarella cheese (block form)
  • 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds or poppy seeds
  • 8 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
  • 8 oz salami, sliced
  • 6 oz pepperoni, sliced
  • 1 box (8 oz) round crackers (like Ritz or butter crackers)
  • 1 baguette, sliced into thin rounds and toasted
  • 1 cup pretzel sticks
  • 1 cup black olives (whole or sliced)
  • 1/2 cup green olives stuffed with pimentos
  • 1 cup grapes (purple or red)
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs
  • Edible glitter or luster dust (optional)
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin butter or fig jam
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup whole grain mustard

Instructions

  1. Make the cheese ghosts: Unwrap cheese blocks and place on a cutting board. Press a ghost-shaped cookie cutter firmly into the cheese (do not twist). Gently push the ghost out. Repeat to get 4-5 ghosts per block. For cream cheese ghosts, spread softened cream cheese 1/2 inch thick on parchment paper, press the cookie cutter, and carefully transfer to a plate. Use a damp toothpick to smooth edges. Dip a toothpick in water, pick up a black sesame seed, and press into the ghost for eyes and a mouth.
  2. Prepare the meats: For prosciutto roses, fold each slice in half lengthwise, then roll loosely from one end to create a rose shape. Pinch the bottom to secure. For salami, fold each slice in half, then in half again to form a triangle. Layer pepperoni slices in small piles.
  3. Arrange the board: Place small bowls of olives, pumpkin butter, honey, and mustard on a large board. Group cheese ghosts together near the center. Arrange prosciutto roses in clusters, salami fans, and pepperoni piles. Add crackers, baguette slices, and pretzel sticks in piles or lines.
  4. Add spooky decorations: Place grape clusters in empty spaces. Scatter dried cranberries. Tuck rosemary sprigs behind cheese ghosts. Optionally dust with edible glitter.
  5. Final touches: Fill any empty spots with extra crackers or grapes. Ensure cheese ghosts are visible. Add toothpicks near meats. Serve at room temperature, or refrigerate and let sit out for 20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Chill cheese blocks in the freezer for 15 minutes before cutting for cleaner ghosts. Make extra cheese ghosts as they disappear first. Use a damp paper towel under bowls to prevent sliding. For best flavor, let board sit at room temperature 20-30 minutes before serving. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween charcuterie board, cheese ghosts, spooky appetizer, Halloween party food, easy charcuterie, no-bake Halloween snack

Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/spooky-halloween-charcuterie-board-easy-cheese-ghosts/