Ghostly Outline Halloween Board (Printable Version)

A dark and vibrant Halloween board artfully arranged to reveal a ghostly silhouette 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 - 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 Make It:

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 piece of parchment paper as a guide.
02 - Carefully arrange the meats, cheeses, crackers, breads, fruits, and vegetables densely around the outline, placing the darkest ingredients such as charcoal cheese, black grapes, blackberries, and black olives closest to the silhouette’s edge to enhance the shape.
03 - Leave the interior of the ghost or bat shape empty so that the board beneath shows through, forming the ghostly silhouette.
04 - Place small bowls of black olive tapenade and blackberry jam at the corners or desired positions on the board.
05 - Fill any gaps with additional fruits, nuts if using, and garnish with rosemary sprigs and edible flowers for visual appeal.
06 - Serve immediately to ensure the silhouette remains distinct for guests before the ingredients are mingled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the kind of centerpiece that makes people pull out their phones before they even reach for the food—it's Instagram magic that actually tastes incredible
  • You can prep it in just 30 minutes, which means you're not stuck in the kitchen while your guests arrive
  • It adapts beautifully to any dietary preference, whether someone needs it vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free
  • The presentation does all the work for you—your effort looks so much more impressive than it actually was
02 -
  • The dark board is non-negotiable—a light board will obscure your ghost silhouette entirely. I learned this the hard way at my first attempt when I grabbed a white ceramic platter in a panic. The shape completely disappeared.
  • Arrange your silhouette outline first, then fill around it. Many people do this backward and end up with no negative space left. The empty space IS the shape, and it must be protected.
  • Prep all your components ahead of time and arrange them on small plates or cutting boards nearby. This means when you're building, you're only focused on placement, not cutting, and your arrangement stays fresh and intentional.
03 -
  • If you're worried about precision, use a parchment paper stencil cut into a ghost shape—place it on the board, arrange your dark ingredients around it, then carefully lift it away. It's not cheating; it's professional technique.
  • Make this board no more than 2 hours before serving. The fresher everything is, especially the soft brie and the grapes, the better it looks and tastes. If you must prep ahead, cover it loosely with plastic wrap and keep it cool.
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