Ghostly Outline Charcuterie Board (Printable Version)

A spooky Halloween spread featuring dark cheeses, fruits, and savory bites shaped as a ghost silhouette.

# What You 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 - On a large, dark-colored board or platter, lightly outline the shape of a ghost or bat in the center using a small bowl or a piece of parchment paper as a guide.
02 - Carefully arrange meats, cheeses, crackers, breads, fruits, and vegetables densely around the outline, positioning the darkest ingredients closest to the silhouette edge to emphasize the shape.
03 - Leave the inside of the ghost or bat shape empty so the board beneath shows through, forming a clear silhouette.
04 - Place small bowls of tapenade and jam at the corners or as desired on the board.
05 - Fill any remaining gaps with additional fruits, optional nuts, and garnish with rosemary sprigs and edible flowers for visual appeal.
06 - Serve immediately to maintain the visibility of the silhouette before guests mingle the ingredients.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the kind of showstopper that makes you look like a culinary genius with just 30 minutes of work
  • Your guests will actually pause before eating to admire it—that moment of 'wow' is priceless
  • You can customize it completely based on what you love; it's less recipe, more creative canvas
  • It tastes absolutely delicious while being Instagram-worthy, which is surprisingly rare
02 -
  • The negative space is everything—if you fill it, you lose the entire silhouette effect. Resist the urge to leave no empty space; the emptiness is the actual design.
  • Arrange denser items first (cheeses, meats) and use fruits to fill smaller gaps later. Grapes and berries are your best friends for adjusting and perfecting the outline.
  • If your charcoal cheese or black ingredients are too crumbly or broken, they'll scatter when guests reach in. Keep pieces relatively intact so the outline holds its integrity through the party.
03 -
  • A parchment paper stencil cut into a ghost shape is your best friend for creating a precise outline. You can even keep the template for future boards.
  • Serve this with a dark red wine or spiced apple cider—the drinks should match the Halloween mood and help cut through the richness of the cheeses.
  • If any ingredient starts looking tired or dried out mid-party, quietly replace it. Small freshness adjustments keep the board looking intentional and impressive throughout the evening.
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