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A Halloween-themed snack platter features a Cream Cheese Skull face made of dip and jam, with eyeballs, surrounded by pretzels, pumpkin-shaped cookies, and a decorative skull with a hat.

Cream Cheese Skull

This Cream Cheese Skull is one of those recipes that instantly makes a Halloween spread feel more festive without taking much effort. It looks impressive on the table, but it’s surprisingly simple to pull together with just a few basic ingredients. It works perfectly for Halloween potlucks, costume parties, and spooky charcuterie boards. You can shape the skull cheese ball and make the pepper jelly ahead of time, keep it chilled until serving, and even store leftovers in the fridge for a couple of days, which makes it as practical as it is fun.
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cream Cheese Skull
Servings: 8
Calories: 114kcal
Author: Mandy Applegate

Equipment

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, combine the water, vinegar, sugar, and food coloring (if using). Bring to a boil.
    ¼ cup water, ¾ cup apple cider vinegar, ¾ cup white sugar, Red food coloring
  • Stir in the diced peppers, reduce heat, and simmer for 10–15 minutes, until slightly thickened and reduced by half. Remove from heat and let cool.
    1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper
  • Place the cold cream cheese block on a cutting board.
    8 ounces block cream cheese
  • Using clean hands (or gloves), mold it into the shape of a skull. Use small pieces of cream cheese to build up features like cheekbones or eye sockets if desired.
  • Transfer the shaped cream cheese onto a serving platter. Spoon the cooled pepper jelly over the top.
  • Serve with crackers and a small knife for spreading.

Video

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Notes

  • Dice peppers finely: The smaller the pieces, the smoother your jelly will look and taste. A mandoline slicer or a sharp chef's knife makes it much easier to get the peppers finely chopped for smooth jelly.
  • Season the jelly with powder: Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, or chili powder into the simmering jelly mixture. This option creates an extra layer of flavor that blends smoothly with the sweet and tangy base.
  • Cool jelly completely: Always wait until the jelly is fully cooled before spooning it over the cream cheese. Otherwise, the heat will cause the skull to soften and lose its shape.
  • Chill the cream cheese: Keep the cream cheese as cold as possible before shaping to help it hold its form.
  • Boost cream cheese with dairy: Mix finely shredded cheddar, Parmesan, or sour cream into the cream cheese before shaping, to make the spread richer while still holding its skull shape, then re-chill so it firms back up.
  • Use gloves for shaping: Gloves help keep the surface smooth and free from fingerprints.
  • Add teeth details if you like: Carve small lines into the cream cheese skull to mimic teeth, or press in sliced almonds for a sharper effect.
  • Serve with sturdy crackers: Go for thicker crackers or chips so they won’t break when you spread or dip them into the skull cheese ball.

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 202mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 536IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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