Ghostly Halloween Charcuterie (Printable Version)

Dark and vibrant ingredients artfully arranged to form a ghostly silhouette on a party board.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 5.3 oz activated charcoal cheddar or black waxed cheese, cubed
02 - 5.3 oz aged gouda, sliced
03 - 5.3 oz brie, cut into wedges

→ Meats (optional)

04 - 3.5 oz soppressata, sliced
05 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, folded

→ Crackers & Breads

06 - 3.5 oz black sesame crackers
07 - 3.5 oz pumpernickel bread, sliced

→ Fruits

08 - 1 cup black grapes
09 - 1 cup blackberries
10 - 0.5 cup dried figs, halved

→ Vegetables

11 - 0.5 cup black olives
12 - 0.5 cup purple carrots, sliced

→ Spreads & Dips

13 - 0.5 cup black olive tapenade
14 - 0.5 cup blackberry jam

→ Garnishes

15 - Sprigs of rosemary
16 - Edible flowers (dark or purple, optional)

# Steps:

01 - Using a small bowl or parchment paper stencil, lightly outline the ghost or bat shape at the center of a large, dark serving board.
02 - Place the meats, cheeses, crackers, breads, fruits, and vegetables densely around the outline, positioning the darkest items closest to the edge to define the silhouette.
03 - Leave the interior of the shape empty so the board shows through, forming a clear ghost or bat silhouette.
04 - Set small bowls of tapenade and blackberry jam at the corners or preferred spots on the board.
05 - Fill any empty spaces with extra fruits, optional nuts, and decorate with rosemary sprigs and edible flowers for visual interest.
06 - Present immediately to guests ensuring the silhouette remains distinct before ingredients are mingled.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that actually looks impressive without requiring real cooking skills—just thoughtful arrangement
  • The negative space trick makes it feel like restaurant-quality plating, and honestly, it's easier than you'd think
  • You can customize every ingredient based on what you love, making it feel personal to your gathering
  • It comes together in 30 minutes, which means you're not stressed in the kitchen while your guests arrive
02 -
  • The silhouette disappears the moment people start serving themselves—and that's okay. Take your photo, celebrate the moment, then let them enjoy it as a beautiful memory rather than a pristine showpiece
  • Temperature matters more than you'd think. Remove everything from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving so cheeses soften slightly and flavors bloom, but keep berries cool until the last moment
  • Don't arrange this more than an hour before serving. Cheese can sweat, herbs can wilt, and blackberries will weep their juices everywhere if given time
  • A dark platter is everything. I've tried this on light boards and the effect disappears—the contrast is what creates the silhouette magic
03 -
  • Use a parchment paper stencil—cut your ghost or bat shape from sturdy parchment paper and lay it on the board as a guide, then remove it once you've outlined with ingredients. This creates crisp edges that feel intentional
  • Prep everything in advance, but arrange nothing until 30 minutes before serving. Cheeses sweat, berries weep, and herbs wilt faster than you'd think, so timing is everything
  • The darkest ingredients are your pen—use them like you're drawing an outline, with intention and purpose. Everything else fills the space between your lines
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