Skull Bones Spooky Spread (Printable)

Creamy spread sculpted as a skull with crunchy vegetables, ideal for fun and festive occasions.

# 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 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)

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
02 - On a large platter, mold the mixture into an oval resembling a skull, smoothing the surface evenly.
03 - Position celery sticks or breadsticks crossing beneath the bottom of the skull to form crossbones.
04 - Use black olive halves for eyes, a small carrot piece or olive slice for the nose, and arrange red bell pepper strips with carrot rounds to depict mouth and teeth.
05 - Enhance skull features and colors by adding cucumber slices and additional vegetable pieces around the design.
06 - Optionally sprinkle with parsley or chives. Serve chilled with crackers or vegetable dippers alongside.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's genuinely fun to make and even more fun to watch people's faces when they realize the skull is edible—kids go wild for it, and adults appreciate the creativity
  • Zero cooking required means you can prep this while handling other last-minute party details, leaving your oven free for the real dishes
  • The creamy, garlicky spread is deeply craveable, and the fresh vegetables keep it light enough that people don't feel guilty reaching for seconds (and thirds)
02 -
  • Softening your cream cheese is non-negotiable—if it's cold, it'll tear apart under your spatula and you'll end up frustrated and covered in lumpy spread instead of creating art
  • The vegetables are the sculpture's skeleton; if you skimp on variety, the skull looks sad and lonely, so gather a colorful array before you start building
03 -
  • Use parchment paper under your skull before it goes on the final platter—it makes it infinitely easier to slide the whole creation onto the serving dish without accidentally smudging your carefully shaped face
  • If your spread seems too soft as you're sculpting, stick it in the freezer for five minutes; that brief chill will firm it up enough to hold shape without making it difficult to spread
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