Skull & Bones Spooky Spread (Print View)

Creamy spread and crunchy veggies form a fun, spooky skull and crossbones for Halloween gatherings.

# Components:

→ Creamy Spread

01 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
02 - 2 tablespoons sour cream
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
05 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Skull Features & Decoration

06 - 1 small cucumber, sliced into rounds
07 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
08 - 2 large black olives, halved
09 - 1 small carrot, sliced into rounds and cut for teeth and nose
10 - 2 to 4 long celery sticks or breadsticks
11 - Fresh parsley or chives, optional garnish

# Directions:

01 - Combine cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated.
02 - Transfer the mixture to a large serving platter and mold into an oval resembling a skull, smoothing the surface carefully.
03 - Place celery sticks or breadsticks crossed beneath the lower edge of the skull shape to simulate crossbones.
04 - Position black olive halves as eyes; use a small carrot piece or olive for the nose. Arrange red bell pepper strips and carrot rounds to create mouth and teeth.
05 - Decorate the skull using cucumber slices and other vegetable pieces to enhance the features and add color variation.
06 - Optional: garnish with fresh parsley or chives. Serve chilled alongside additional crackers or vegetable dippers.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that takes less than 20 minutes, so you actually have time to enjoy your party instead of being stuck in the kitchen
  • Kids and adults alike get excited about eating something that looks like it belongs in a haunted house, which means your platter disappears fast
  • Everything is vegetarian and naturally gluten-free if you skip the breadsticks, making it inclusive for guests with different dietary needs
02 -
  • The cream cheese absolutely must be soft before you start, or you'll spend 20 minutes fighting with it instead of enjoying the creative part. Let it sit on the counter—it makes all the difference
  • Assemble this as close to serving time as possible, because vegetables release moisture and your platter can start looking sad if it sits too long. I learned this the hard way at a party where my beautiful skull started sliding by hour two
03 -
  • Use a small offset spatula or even a butter knife to get clean edges on your skull shape—it's one of those small tools that makes a surprisingly big difference in how polished everything looks
  • If you're worried about the spread sliding or moving around, chill the platter in the freezer for 10 minutes before assembling. A cold surface keeps everything more stable and gives you more time to arrange your vegetables without the whole thing melting
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