Skull & Bones Spooky Spread (Printable)

Creamy spread with crunchy veggies arranged as a spooky skull and crossbones for festive gatherings.

# What You'll 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, to taste
06 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Skull Features & Decoration

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

# Method:

01 - In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
02 - Transfer mixture onto a large platter and mold into an oval to resemble a skull, smoothing the surface.
03 - Position celery sticks or breadsticks crossing beneath the bottom of the skull to form crossbones.
04 - Use halved black olives for eyes, place a small carrot piece or olive slice for the nose, and arrange red bell pepper strips plus carrot rounds to create mouth and teeth.
05 - Arrange cucumber slices and remaining vegetable pieces to complete facial details and enhance visual appeal.
06 - Optionally garnish with parsley or chives. Serve chilled alongside additional crackers or vegetable dippers.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks intimidating on the platter but tastes creamy, garlicky, and absolutely delicious—everyone's surprised by how good it actually is
  • Zero cooking required means you can put it together while doing a hundred other party prep things
  • Kids love arranging the veggies into a scary face, and it's genuinely gluten-free friendly if you use the right sticks
02 -
  • Softening the cream cheese at room temperature for 20 minutes before mixing saves you from fighting lumpy texture—this is the one thing that will make or break the creamy experience
  • Don't overwork the spread once it's mixed; a few gentle stirs are better than aggressive beating, which can make it weep or separate
  • The veggies will release a tiny bit of moisture as they sit, so if you're making this more than an hour ahead, keep the platter uncovered or the spread might get soggy
03 -
  • Make your vegetable cuts slightly thicker than you think you need—thin pieces disappear into the spread and get lost, while sturdy cuts hold their shape and make the face read from across the room
  • If you want the skull to stay pristine longer, keep the platter on ice underneath (place a smaller platter on top of crushed ice in a larger bowl), which keeps the spread firm and cold without waterlogging it
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