Name: Halloween Charcuterie Board
Prep time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 1 (8 oz) package pre-sliced sharp cheddar; 1 (8 oz) package pre-sliced pepper jack; 2 cups cubed sharp cheddar; 1 (8 oz) log blueberry vanilla goat cheese, sliced; 2 packages (16 oz) cream cheese, softened; 2 cups cheddar and pepper jack cheeses from Halloween cut-out scraps, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 4 green onions, divided; Everything bagel seasoning; 1 honey wheat pretzel twist (for stem); Fresh sage leaves (optional, for decoration); 1 package Ciliegine mozzarella balls; 1 jar pimento-stuffed olives, cut in half cross-wise; 6 oz thinly sliced prosciutto, divided; 6 oz thinly sliced peppered salami; 6 oz thick-cut pepperoni; 1 cup fresh blackberries; 1 cup dried apricots; 1 cup candied pecans and/or candied cashews; 1 package honey wheat pretzel twists; 1 package pumpkin seed crisps or crackers of choice; 4 oz salted dark chocolate; Halloween cookie cutters, for shaping the sliced cheeses; Plastic skeleton hands; Decorative fake spiders

Ingredients

Units Scale

Cheeses:

1 (8 oz) package pre-sliced sharp cheddar
1 (8 oz) package pre-sliced pepper jack
2 cups cubed sharp cheddar
1 (8 oz) log blueberry vanilla goat cheese, sliced

For the Pumpkin Cheese Ball:

2 packages (16 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 cups cheddar and pepper jack cheeses from Halloween cut-out scraps, finely chopped
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 green onions, divided
Everything bagel seasoning
1 honey wheat pretzel twist (for stem)
Fresh sage leaves (optional, for decoration)

For the Mozzarella Eyes:

1 package Ciliegine mozzarella balls
1 jar pimento-stuffed olives, cut in half cross-wise
6 oz thinly sliced prosciutto, divided

Meats

6 oz thinly sliced peppered salami
6 oz thick-cut pepperoni

Accompaniments

1 cup fresh blackberries
1 cup dried apricots
1 cup candied pecans and/or candied cashews
1 package honey wheat pretzel twists
1 package pumpkin seed crisps or crackers of choice
4 oz salted dark chocolate

Decorative Elements

Halloween cookie cutters, for shaping the sliced cheeses
Plastic skeleton hands
Decorative fake spiders

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Instructions

Create the cheese shapes. Cut the pre-sliced cheeses into seasonal shapes using the Halloween cookie cutters. Reserve and finely chop the scraps.
Make the pumpkin cheese ball. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and gouda. Chop half of the green onions and add them along with the Worcestershire sauce and 2 tablespoons of everything bagel seasoning. Mix thoroughly until well-combined. Turn out onto a large sheet of plastic wrap. Shape into a rough ball and wrap tightly in the plastic wrap. Arrange 4 rubber bands around the plastic wrap to create 8 distinct sections for the pumpkin shape. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the pumpkin. When the pumpkin is firm, thinly slice the remaining green onion vertically into long strips. Add to a bowl of ice water to encourage curling. Remove the pumpkin cheese ball from the plastic and gently press the outside with everything bagel seasoning. Insert a honey wheat pretzel twist for the stem. Arrange sage leaves and the curliest green onion "vines" on top of the pumpkin for decoration.
Make the mozzarella eyes. Fill a medium-sized bowl with hot water (not boiling). Add the mozzarella balls and let sit until softened and pliable, about 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry, then gently shape into a smoother circle. Press olive halves, cut side up, into the center of each mozzarella ball to create an iris and pupil. Fold or slice prosciutto in half, lengthways, and then wrap around each "eyeball".
Assemble the charcuterie board. Position the pumpkin cheese ball toward one corner of the board. Place half of the mozzarella eyes in a small bowl on the opposite side of the board. Arrange the sliced goat cheese in a curved line connecting the two. Distribute the remaining components in sections around the board, layering the cheese cutouts and remaining "eyeballs" on top for dramatic effect. Place skeleton hands and plastic spiders around the board for dramatic effect.

Prep Time: 1 hour