Ghostly Brie with Cranberry Eyes Charcuterie Board Recipe
I love serving creative snacks at parties. My Ghostly Brie with Cranberry Eyes Charcuterie Board is always a hit for Halloween or fall gatherings.
This easy recipe shows you how to turn a wheel of brie into a fun ghost with tangy cranberry “eyes,” surrounded by tasty meats, crackers, and fruits.
It’s a simple way to make your food table stand out. Plus, it gives everyone something to smile about.
Setting up a spooky-themed board doesn’t need a lot of time or fancy skills. The ingredients are easy to find, and you can have fun with different toppings and sides.
This board works great for kids and adults. It’s ready in under 20 minutes, which is honestly perfect for last-minute party prep.
Why I Love Them
I love making these ghostly Brie snacks because they are simple and fun. The little cranberry eyes make them look cute instead of scary—honestly, they’re kind of adorable.
It’s a creative way to serve cheese that always gets smiles from kids and adults. I enjoy putting these on my charcuterie board to mix things up from the usual cheese and crackers.
Here’s a quick list of a few reasons I like them:
- Easy to make: I don’t need a lot of time or skill.
- Eye-catching: They make my platter stand out.
- Tasty mix: The combination of creamy Brie and tart cranberry works well.
Sometimes I use different jams or fruits for the eyes if I don’t have cranberries. This makes it easy to adjust to what I have at home.
My friends always ask how I made the “ghost cheese.” It makes me happy when food brings a little fun to our gatherings.
Equipment
To make my Ghostly Brie with Cranberry Eyes Charcuterie Board, I use just a few basic tools. Here are the main items I reach for:
- Cheese Board or Platter — I usually pick one that’s about 12 inches wide. Wood or marble works best for arranging everything nicely.
- Cheese Knife — A small, sharp cheese knife helps me slice and shape the brie easily.
- Cookie Cutters — I use a ghost-shaped cutter for the brie. If I can’t find one, a simple knife works, too.
- Small Spoon or Scoop — I need this to place the cranberry “eyes” on the brie.
- Spreading Knives — These are helpful for serving soft cheeses and spreads.
I always keep some paper towels nearby, too, for easy cleanup. If I want to add extra decorations, sometimes I grab small cookie cutters for salami or fruits.
Ingredients
For my Ghostly Brie with Cranberry Eyes Charcuterie Board, I use a few simple ingredients. This list makes enough for a medium-sized board to serve 6 people.
Main Ingredients:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Brie cheese wheel | 1 (8-ounce) |
| Dried cranberries | 10 pieces (for eyes) |
| Crackers | 20-25 pieces |
| Sliced salami | 8-10 slices |
| Fresh grapes | 1 cup |
| Mixed nuts | ½ cup |
| Apple slices | 1 medium apple |
I like the brie to look like a ghost, so I use the cranberries for the eyes. If you want to add more spooky details, you can use olives or nuts for a mouth.
For extras and variety, I sometimes add these:
- ¼ cup dark chocolate pieces
- ½ cup baby carrots
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes
Optional spreads:
- 3 tablespoons fig jam
- 3 tablespoons honey
I arrange the crackers and meats around the brie. Then, I fill in gaps with fruit and nuts for a colorful, balanced look.
The mix of sweet and salty snacks keeps the board simple, but tasty. I use whatever fruit and nuts I have on hand if some of these are not available.
Instructions
First, I set out all my ingredients and tools. I like to have everything ready before I start.
I unwrap the Brie cheese and place it in the center of my serving board. Using a small round cutter or the rim of a glass, I gently shape the Brie into a ghost-like form.
For the eyes, I use two dried cranberries. I lightly press them into the Brie to create simple eyes.
Here’s a quick list of steps I follow to assemble the board:
- Shape the Brie – Make it look like a little ghost.
- Add Cranberry Eyes – Press them in gently.
- Arrange Meats and Crackers – I place sliced salami, prosciutto, and a mix of crackers around the Brie.
- Add Fruits and Nuts – I fill in the gaps with grapes, apple slices, almonds, and walnuts.
I sometimes sprinkle fresh herbs like rosemary for extra color. I make sure everything touches or circles the ghostly Brie, so it stays the focus.
If some items are sticky, I use parchment paper under them. This makes cleanup easier.
When I’m done, I step back and check if the board looks balanced. Adjusting a few pieces helps everything look neat and inviting.
Equipment
- cheese board or platter (12 inch)
- Cheese knife
- Ghost-shaped cookie cutter
- Spreading knives
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 1 8-ounce wheel of Brie cheese
- 10 dried cranberries for eyes
- 20 assorted crackers
- 8 slices of salami
- 1 cup fresh grapes
- ½ cup mixed nuts
- 1 medium apple sliced
- ¼ cup dark chocolate pieces optional
- ½ cup baby carrots optional
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes optional
- 3 tablespoons fig jam optional
- 3 tablespoons honey optional
Instructions
- Place all ingredients and tools on your counter before you begin.
- Unwrap the brie and place it in the center of your cheese board.
- Using a ghost-shaped cookie cutter or small knife, shape the brie into a ghost.
- Gently press two dried cranberries into the brie to form eyes.
- Arrange the salami and crackers in a circle around the ghost-shaped brie.
- Fill in gaps with fresh grapes, apple slices, and mixed nuts.
- Add optional items like chocolate pieces, carrots, and cherry tomatoes to enhance color and texture.
- Place fig jam and honey in small bowls or directly on the board with spreading knives nearby.
- Optionally garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary for a festive touch.
- Keep the board chilled until just before serving to maintain brie shape.
Substitute
If I don’t have Brie on hand, I use Camembert or a wheel of goat cheese. These both have a soft texture and a mild taste, just like Brie.
Sometimes, I swap out cranberry eyes for other toppings. I like using dried cherries, fresh blueberries, or black olives as simple substitutes.
For the crackers, I like to mix things up. Here’s a quick table of what I use:
| Original Ingredient | Simple Substitute |
|---|---|
| Wheat crackers | Rice crackers, pita chips |
| Pretzel sticks | Breadsticks, thin bread |
| Almonds | Walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds |
If someone can’t eat nuts, I leave them out and serve extra fruit slices like apple or pear instead.
When I do not have honey, I spread a little fruit jam by the side. It tastes good with both cheese and fruit.
If I want to make something dairy-free, I use a vegan cheese alternative such as coconut-based soft cheese. I check the label to make sure it’s firm enough to hold the cranberry eyes.
What Can Go Wrong?
Sometimes, my brie gets way too warm and turns mushy. If I leave it out for too long, it starts to get sticky and loses its shape.
I try to keep brie chilled until right before serving—though, honestly, I forget sometimes.
Cranberries have this habit of rolling away instead of staying put for the “eyes.” To keep them in place, I’ll use a tiny dot of honey or, if I’m desperate, a toothpick.
Crackers and bread slices? They can go stale fast if they’re set out too early.
I usually wait until the last minute to arrange them on the board. It’s a little stressful, but it works.
- Accidentally cutting the brie too early
- Forgetting utensils for spreading
- Not enough contrast between items on the board
| Problem | How I Fix It |
|---|---|
| Soggy brie | Serve chilled, not warm |
| Cranberries won’t stick | Use a dab of honey |
| Dry or stale crackers | Prep just before serving |
If I’m not careful, flavors can start to mix, and some bites just taste… weird. I try to keep strong flavors, like blue cheese, far away from the brie.
Space is always an issue. Sometimes I just run out of room on my board.
When that happens, I only use what fits and stash extra snacks nearby, just in case.
