Ghostly Outline Halloween Board (Print Version)

An artful board featuring dark cheeses, fruits, and crackers arranged as a ghost silhouette for Halloween flair.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 - ½ cup dried figs, halved

→ Vegetables

11 - ½ cup black olives
12 - ½ cup purple carrots, sliced

→ Spreads & Dips

13 - ½ cup black olive tapenade
14 - ½ cup blackberry jam

→ Garnishes

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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Use a small bowl or parchment paper stencil to lightly trace a ghost or bat shape in the center of a large dark-colored board or platter.
02 - Place meats, cheeses, crackers, breads, fruits, and vegetables densely around the outline, positioning the darkest items closest to the shape's edge to emphasize the silhouette.
03 - Leave the center of the ghost or bat shape empty so the board shows through, forming the silhouette effect.
04 - Set small bowls of tapenade and blackberry jam at the corners or preferred spots on the board.
05 - Fill in empty spaces with additional fruits, nuts if desired, and garnish with rosemary sprigs and edible flowers for visual interest.
06 - Present immediately to preserve the ghostly silhouette for guests to admire before mixing the ingredients.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours preparing, but honestly, 30 minutes of mindful arranging is all it takes—and the payoff is people talking about your board all night
  • There's something magical about the negative space revealing the ghost or bat shape once people stop crowding around it; it becomes this wonderful moment of shared recognition
  • You can adapt it endlessly—vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free—without losing that stunning visual impact that makes it feel special
02 -
  • The darkest ingredients must anchor your outline—if you place light cheese against that dark board without the black elements framing it, the silhouette disappears. I learned this by testing three times before getting it right
  • Leave that center completely empty. Completely. Your instinct will be to put something there, but resistance is what makes this work
  • Soft cheeses like brie and the delicate meats should be arranged no more than 15 minutes before serving, or they'll start to look tired. Everything else can sit for a bit longer
  • Use a dark-colored board or platter—a light wooden board will dilute your silhouette effect entirely
03 -
  • Buy your specialty cheeses and meats two days ahead if possible—this gives the flavors time to meld and your local cheesemonger time to source exactly what you want instead of what's left
  • The moment guests arrive is the moment your beautiful silhouette becomes less important than conversation and connection—that's exactly as it should be, so don't stress if the arrangement gets mingled quickly
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