Ghostly Outline Halloween Board (Printable)

A spooky board artfully arranged with dark cheeses, fruits, and crackers forming a ghostly shape for festive gatherings.

# 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 - 1/2 cup dried figs, halved

→ Vegetables

11 - 1/2 cup black olives
12 - 1/2 cup purple carrots, sliced

→ Spreads & Dips

13 - 1/2 cup black olive tapenade
14 - 1/2 cup blackberry jam

→ Garnishes

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

# How to make it:

01 - Lightly outline a ghost or bat shape in the center of a large dark board using a small bowl or parchment stencil as a guide.
02 - Densely position meats, cheeses, crackers, breads, fruits, and vegetables around the outline, placing the darkest items closest to the silhouette edges to emphasize the shape.
03 - Leave the interior of the silhouette empty, allowing the board surface to show through and define the ghost or bat form.
04 - Place small bowls of tapenade and blackberry jam at the board’s corners or preferred spots.
05 - Fill any remaining spaces with additional fruits, optional nuts, rosemary sprigs, and edible flowers to enhance visual appeal.
06 - Serve immediately, keeping the silhouette intact for guests to admire before mixing the ingredients.

# Expert suggestions:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that doubles as dinner—your guests will spend the first five minutes admiring it before diving in
  • Zero cooking required means you can throw this together while wearing your costume, not before
  • The theatrical presentation makes even simple ingredients feel luxurious and intentional
02 -
  • The board beneath the silhouette must have enough contrast to show through, so avoid pale boards or white plates. Dark wood, black ceramic, or deep slate work beautifully.
  • Prepare all your ingredients in advance—cutting cheese, slicing bread, arranging your workspace—so the actual assembly feels calm and intentional rather than rushed.
  • If your gathering will last more than two hours, assemble this no more than one hour before serving. Cheese dries out, crackers soften, and berries start to weep into the board.
03 -
  • Make a template: Cut your ghost or bat shape from cardboard and reuse it for future gatherings. This takes the guesswork out of the outline and makes you look like a seasoned board artist.
  • Chill your ingredients, especially cheeses and meats, before arranging. Cold items hold their shape and texture longer, and the board itself stays fresher throughout your event.
  • The moment of serving matters: Dim the other lights and bring the board out as a reveal. It transforms a snack into theater.
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