Skull Bones Halloween Spread (Printable Version)

Creamy spread shaped as a skull with crunchy veggies for a fun Halloween centerpiece.

# What You Need:

→ Creamy Spread

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 2 tbsp sour cream
03 - 1 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp lemon juice
05 - Salt and 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, for garnish)

# How To Make:

01 - Combine cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl and mix until smooth and creamy.
02 - Using a spatula, transfer the creamy mixture onto a large serving platter and shape it into an oval resembling a skull, smoothing the surface carefully.
03 - Arrange celery sticks or breadsticks crossing underneath the bottom of the skull to represent the crossbones.
04 - Place black olive halves for eyes, position a small carrot piece or olive slice for the nose, and use red bell pepper strips and carrot rounds to craft the mouth and teeth.
05 - Enhance the skull with cucumber slices and additional vegetable pieces to add color and dimension.
06 - Optional: garnish with fresh parsley or chives. Serve chilled alongside crackers or vegetable dippers.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's embarrassingly easy to make—literally just mixing cream cheese and shaping it—yet looks like you spent hours in the kitchen being creative
  • Kids and adults both gravitate toward it, making it the one appetizer that actually disappears at parties
  • The combination of creamy, garlicky spread with crisp, fresh vegetables hits every texture and flavor note without any cooking required
02 -
  • The cream cheese must be properly softened before you start, or you'll end up frustrated trying to spread a chunky mess that won't hold its shape
  • Don't skip the sour cream—it's what keeps this from becoming a dense, heavy dip and actually makes the spread easier to work with
  • The vegetables will start releasing moisture if they sit too long before serving, so assemble this close to party time, not hours ahead
03 -
  • Use a piping bag if you want precise control over the cream cheese shape, but honestly, rustic and imperfect is more charming and way less stressful
  • If black olives aren't your thing, use sliced radishes for eyes or even carrot circles—the skull works with whatever you choose
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