Ghostly Outline Charcuterie Board (Printable)

Dark cheeses, fruits, and meats artfully arranged for a haunting Halloween centerpiece.

# 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)

# Directions:

01 - Using a small bowl or parchment paper stencil, lightly outline a ghost or bat shape on a large dark-colored serving board.
02 - Densely place meats, cheeses, crackers, breads, fruits, and vegetables around the outline, positioning darkest items near the edges to enhance silhouette contrast.
03 - Leave the interior of the ghost or bat shape empty to reveal the board beneath, forming a clear silhouette.
04 - Position small bowls of black olive tapenade and blackberry jam at corners or as preferred for dipping.
05 - Fill any gaps with extra fruits or nuts if desired, then garnish with rosemary sprigs and optional edible flowers for visual appeal.
06 - Serve immediately to maintain the defined silhouette for guests before sharing and mingling ingredients.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that takes just 30 minutes to create—impressive enough to make guests think you spent hours, relaxed enough that you won't stress.
  • The negative space trick feels like a secret only you know, turning an ordinary board into edible art.
  • Everyone loves picking at charcuterie, so you get to enjoy watching people discover the ghost as they graze.
02 -
  • The negative space is everything. Resist the urge to fill the ghost shape. I learned this by making the outline too small and running out of board space—measure twice, arrange once.
  • Black grapes will roll. Blackberries stay put. Use grapes for visual accent along the outline, and blackberries for definition. This single realization changed my entire approach.
  • A dark board is non-negotiable. A light board will make your ghost invisible. I learned this the hard way at a dinner party where no one could see what I'd so carefully created.
03 -
  • Use a stencil cut from parchment paper for a perfectly clean ghost outline—lay it on your board, arrange your dark elements around it, then gently lift it away.
  • The darkest ingredients should touch the board's edge to create maximum contrast with the empty space. This single detail transforms a nice board into a show-stopping one.
Return