Introduction

This Skellington Cheese Ball appetizer is a fun and festive treat perfect for any Halloween gathering. Creamy, flavorful, and easy to make, it combines cheddar and cream cheese with aromatic spices. Decorated with black olives, it brings a spooky twist that’s sure to impress your guests.

The image shows a large round white cheese ball shaped like a skull with big hollow black eyes, two small black nostrils, and a stitched smile drawn in black. It sits at the center of a black pedestal cake stand. Around the skull, in a single layer, are slices of orange cheese arranged like petals, clusters of red grapes, green-tipped orange veggie sticks, and beige round crackers. The cake stand is placed on a white marbled countertop with small Halloween pumpkin decorations nearby and soft candle lights in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Black olives for decoration

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and shredded white cheddar cheese until well combined.
Step 2: Add the garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to the cheese mixture. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices.
Step 3: Shape the mixture into a ball, smoothing the surface as much as possible.
Step 4: Wrap the cheese ball tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
Step 5: Use black olives to create Skellington’s eyes, nose, and mouth by pressing them gently into the surface of the cheese ball.
Step 6: Place the finished cheese ball on a serving platter and bring it out to enjoy as a spooky centerpiece appetizer.

Tips & Variations

For best results, use fresh cream cheese and sharp white cheddar to enhance flavor and texture.
Blend the cheeses well to help the ball hold together smoothly and make decorating easier.
Try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a smoky or spicy twist.
Replace black olives with sliced pepperoni or capers if you want a different look or flavor.

Storage

Store the cheese ball tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled until ready to serve to maintain firmness. If needed, bring it out about 10 minutes before serving to soften slightly for easier spreading.

How to Serve

A dome-shaped white cheese ball is decorated to look like a spooky face with large black hollow eyes, two small black nostrils, and a wide stitched smile made of black lines. It sits in the middle of a round white plate on a black pedestal, surrounded by layers of orange round crackers to the right, beige round crackers next to them, deep red grapes in front, and slices of bright orange dried fruit or vegetable to the left with green sprigs. A small carved pumpkin decoration is on the white marbled surface in front of the plate. The kitchen background has soft warm candle lights and two more small pumpkin decorations on white cabinets. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the cheese ball ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare and shape the cheese ball up to 2 days in advance. Just keep it wrapped and refrigerated until needed, then add the olive decorations before serving.

What can I serve with the cheese ball?

This cheese ball pairs well with an assortment of crackers, sliced baguette, fresh vegetables like celery and carrots, or pretzels for dipping.

Skellington Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe

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4.4 from 78 reviews

This Skellington Cheese Ball Appetizer is a fun and festive dish perfect for Halloween or any spooky-themed gathering. Made with a creamy blend of cream cheese and sharp white cheddar, seasoned with garlic and onion powder plus black pepper for a slight kick, this cheese ball is sculpted and decorated with black olives to create a striking Skellington face. Chilling the mixture ensures it firms up nicely for easy shaping and decorating, resulting in a delicious and visually impressive appetizer that’s sure to be the centerpiece of your party.

Author: Stella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: Serves 8–10 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2 cups cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Black olives, for decoration

Instructions

Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and shredded white cheddar cheese. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended and smooth.
Shape Cheese Ball: Using your hands, shape the cheese mixture into a compact ball, making sure it’s firm and evenly formed.
Chill: Wrap the shaped cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This allows the cheese to firm up and makes it easier to handle and decorate.
Decorate: Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Use black olives to create Skellington’s eyes, nose, and mouth by strategically placing them on the surface of the cheese ball.
Serve: Place the decorated cheese ball on a serving platter and present it as a spooky and delicious appetizer for your guests to enjoy.

Notes

Using fresh cream cheese and sharp cheddar cheese ensures the best flavor and texture.
Chilling the cheese ball thoroughly is essential for easy shaping and decorating.
Feel free to customize the seasoning according to your taste preferences, adding more spice or herbs if desired.
Black olives not only add to the decoration but also provide a salty contrast to the creamy cheese.
Serve with crackers, sliced baguette, or fresh vegetable sticks for a complete appetizer experience.

Keywords: Skellington cheese ball, Halloween appetizer, cheese ball recipe, cream cheese appetizer, festive cheese ball, easy party appetizer