This Halloween Charcuterie Board makes the perfect centerpiece for any gathering of ghosts and ghouls! Ditch the traditional meat and cheese board for one filled with chocolates and candy.
Halloween Charcuterie Board
I’ve been too old to Trick-or-Treat for [redacted] years now. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to eat my share of Halloween candy! I’m guessing I’m not the only adult who feels this way. That’s why I love this Halloween Charcuterie Board. It’s the perfect party food because there is a little something for everyone. We’ve got sour, sweet, chocolate, fruity, and salty!
What is a Charcuterie Board?
Charcuterie boards (pronounced “shar-KOO-tuh-ree”) are a trend that I have seen popping up everywhere! “Charcuterie” is a French term for an appetizer displaying a variety of cured meats, mostly pork. Originally they included things like salami, prosciutto, and sausages. However, modern charcuterie boards can have any variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, veggies, olives, nuts, and sauces. Chips, crackers, and dips in small bowls are also a modern addition. Typically the boards are arranged on a platter in an aesthetically pleasing and abundant fashion. If you want to learn more about how to make a traditional charcuterie board, check out our recipe HERE.
So, What is a Dessert Charcuterie Board?
Since the idea of charcuterie boards have become so popular, people have taken the idea and run with it! Dessert charcuterie boards and snack boards are arranged in the same smorgasbord style but with all sweets and treats instead of meats and cheeses. They are so fun and you can tailor them to any theme. I chose to make a Halloween Charcuterie Board since that is the next upcoming holiday. However, you can make one for Christmas, Easter, birthdays – pretty much any occasion. Also, check out our Valentine’s Day Dessert Board HERE.
How to Decorate Your Board
For this Halloween Charcuterie Board, I used an 18×24 wooden cutting board. However, you can scale up or down depending on the size of your party. I got the posable skeleton from a craft store for 50% off a few days before Halloween last year. For the chocolate decorated treats, I was inspired by this post. I made those ahead of time so the melted chocolate could set up. Then, I just headed to the candy aisle and seasonal aisle in the grocery store for the rest of the candies. I like to make sure I have a variety of colors, flavors, and different textures.
What Kind of Candy Should I Add to My Halloween Charcuterie Board?
When you are looking to fill out your Halloween Charcuterie Board with candy, you want things that are colorful, grab-able, and tasty! Here are some of our favorites:
- Wrapped Chocolates – If you are going to use chocolate candies like Reese’s, Snickers, etc., keep them in the wrapper. It will look more bright and colorful that way.
- Gummy Worms – Don’t forget to add one hanging out of the skeleton’s mouth!
- Candy Corn and Candy Pumpkins
- Smarties
- Peach Rings
- Starbursts – Use just the orange and yellow ones for a Halloween vibe!
- Licorice – A little morbid but it kind of looks like skeleton guts!
Personalizing Your Board
The fun thing about this Halloween snack board is that you can really customize it to your party! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- For something a little more nutritious on your board, add blackberries, blueberries, or orange slices.
- If the skeleton is too spooky for your party guests, you can leave it out for a more light-hearted vibe. Just arrange the treats all over the board and add little plastic spiders or other small toys.
- Got a peanut allergy in the group? Stick with fruity candies and then switch out the Nutter Butter cookies for graham crackers and the Reese’s Cups for Mini Oreos.
The Best Melting Chocolate
To make the little monster treats on this Halloween Charcuterie Board, you will need melted chocolate. You can absolutely use chocolate chips with a little bit of shortening or oil. However, I love using candy melts or wafers. They melt so smoothly and taste great! You can order them on Amazon or find them in the baking section at most craft stores and at some grocery stores in the baking aisle. However, if you use the melts, just be sure to not add any oil. Because they already have oil, additional oil will mess up the texture.
More Halloween Recipes
There are so many fun Halloween recipes to make – why not try one of our favorites! Bring a little spookiness to your table this year. Your kids will love it.
Dinner in a Pumpkin Harry Potter Butterbeer Rice Krispie Treat Ghosts
- Dinner in a Pumpkin
- Harry Potter’s Butterbeer
- Halloween Rice Krispie Treats
- Toffee Apples
- Halloween Candy Bark
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Coffee Cake
- Soup in a Pumpkin
How to Make a Halloween Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
For the Monster Treats
- 8 rice krispie treats
- 5 ounces white chocolate melting wafers
- purple food dye
- candy eyes
- purple sprinkles
For the Witch Fingers
- 8 pretzel rods
- 10 ounces white chocolate melting wafers
- green food dye
- sliced almonds
For the Ghosts
- 8 Nutter Butter cookies
- 5 ounces white chocolate melting wafers
- mini chocolate chips
For the Bats
- 8 Mini Reese's Cups
- 8 Oreo Thins
- candy eyes
Additional Candy
- 18 ounces Smarties
- 16 ounces red licorice
- 15 ounces Assorted Hershey's Candy
- 28 ounces sour gummy worms
- 40 ounces candy corn
Instructions
- Make the Monster Treats by melting the chocolate wafers (see post for melting instructions) and mix in the purple food dye. Dip one side of the Rice Krispie Treat into the chocolate. Place the candy eyes onto the chocolate. Place the sprinkles on the top to look like hair. Set on a pan lined with parchment paper and allow the chocolate to set.
- To make the Witch Fingers, melt the chocolate wafers and mix in the green food dye. Place the melted chocolate into a tall cup. Dip each pretzel rod in the chocolate. Place a sliced almond on the tip to look like a fingernail. Set on a pan lined with parchment paper and allow the chocolate to set.
- To make the Ghosts, melt the chocolate wafers. Dip one side of the Nutter Butter cookie into the chocolate. Place two mini chocolate chips to look like eyes and one to look like a mouth. Set on a pan lined with parchment paper and allow the chocolate to set.
- To make the Bats, unwrap the Mini Reese's Cups but don't take off the inner lining. Open each Oreo and scrape the creme filling out. Do not discard. Break each cookie in half to make the wings. Spread some of the creme filling onto the Reese's Cup. Attach the cookie halves to the Reese's Cup using the creme filling. Spread some creme filling where the wings touch and use that to attach the eyes.
- Start out by placing the skeleton diagonally across the board. Stuff the rib cage with candy. Fill in all the spaces in and around the skeleton with candy.
- Next, place the larger chocolate decorated treats around the board. Then fill in any open spaces with more candy.
Equipment
- Wooden board or serving platter
- Posable skeleton
Abi says
This is a spooktacular idea! The kids will love it especially since we are planning just to stay at home this year.
Caroline says
This looks so fun, with lots of cute easy ideas to get in the Halloween spirit.
Beth says
This is such a great idea! I can’t wait to make this for a little get together! Looks so beautiful and colorful!
Patty at Spoonabilities says
What a fun and festive Halloween spread! Not only for kids either! 🙂
Annissa says
What a creative way to serve treats! This is like a cross between a recipe and an art project. Perfect for a kids Halloween party!