Halloween Charcuterie Board
October 17, 2023
Halloween Charcuterie Board has an irresistible puff pastry cheese pumpkin in its center, with different Spanish charcuteries, pumpkin hummus, strawberry jelly, blue tortilla chips and more. A monstrously delicious board for all!
They are introducing the Halloween Charcuterie Board featuring the star attraction: Puff Pumpkin Cheese! This board offers a diverse array of delights to satisfy every palate. The focal point is a luscious cheese enveloped in puff pastry, shaped like a pumpkin and oozing enticingly when sliced! Nestled within is Chaume cheese, a delectably soft and kid-friendly French cheese that melts perfectly. Vibrant blue tortilla chips, tangy Roquefort blue cheese, grapes, creamy pumpkin hummus, crackers, strawberry jelly, and more accompany it. It’s a feast to have while the kids do their candy run or invite people over for Halloween.
Cheeses
Creating a Halloween Charcuterie Board requires a standout centrepiece. The surprise factor comes from the melty cheese pumpkin at the center, made with a lesser-known but fantastic-tasting French Chaume cheese, ideal even for kids. Unlike Brie or Camembert, Chaume melts wonderfully without becoming overly liquid. Its buttery, soft texture and orange layer make it perfect for the puff pumpkin recipe. Feel free to use Brie, Camembert, or any other cheese you choose if this one isn’t easy to find.
Also, I’ve added some paprika and turmeric to the egg wash to give more colour to the puff pastry.
The second cheese on the plate is the famous Roquefort cheese, which is potent and suits mature palates better, so a bit for every taste. Plus, the look of blue cheese is spot on for Halloween. Don’t you think?
The Charcuterie
I picked a mix of cured ham (Prosciutto), Spanish chorizo, and a turkey salami called Llonganisa for my charcuterie board. There are various options available depending on your location. Cured ham is standard everywhere, also called prosciutto in Italian, while chorizo can vary in spiciness, with Mexican and American versions being spicier due to unique peppers and meat blends. It’s usually mild or mildly spicy in Spain and made with pork, wine, garlic, and paprika. The last addition is a soft and kid-friendly salami, widely available.
The Crackers Choice
The crunch in the plate or vessel to eat the cheese is blue tortilla chips made with Mexican blue corn, regular crackers and a few neutral mini breadsticks. I thought the blue tortilla chips were spot on for Halloween! The rest is up to your taste.
The Spooky Fruits
Every board needs fruits, so to cut all those salty ingredients, our tongue needs to counterbalance with a few typical fruits, in this case, grape and blueberry. But it could have been blackberries, too. The strawberry jelly looks the part for Halloween and goes to perfection with this Chaume cheese in the middle!
Pumpkin Hummus
For this last element on the Halloween Charcuterie Board, I’ve made a roasted pumpkin hummus, but you can buy it and add some pumpkin purée to it or buy a beetroot hummus, which would fit like a glove for Halloween. I like hummus on a Charcuterie board for vegans, vegetarians and kids; this way, there is a bit for everyone. Also, it helps to calm things down after so many salty bites.
Other Spooky Recipes
Equipment
- 5 strings
Ingredients
Puff Pumpkin Cheese
- 1 Chaume cheese Brie or Camembert
- 1 puff pastry round dough pre-made
- 1 egg
- ½ turmeric powder optional
- ⅓ paprika powder optional
The Rest of the Board
- 1 Roquefort Cheese or any blue cheese
- Strawberry Jelly
- Blue Tortilla Chips
- Grapes
- Blueberries
- Roasted Pumpkin Hummus
- Crackers
- Mini Bread Sticks
- Cured ham Proscuitto
- Chorizo
- Salami
Instructions
Puff Pumpkin Cheese
- Make a star with the strings (check video).
- Add the round puff pastry dough in the middle, then the cheese.
- Cut some bits of the dough not to make too many layers on the bottom, cover the cheese with it, turn on center where the strings meet.
- Make nodes with all the strings, then cut the excessing strings.
- Whisk an egg with the turmeric and paprika (to give colour) and brush it over the dough.
- Cook in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes or until golden.
- Let rest 5 minutes while finishing up the board (check video).
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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10 Comments
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KEVIN FOODIEInteresting charcuterie board ideas. I am not a fan of hummus, but would like to try your pumpkin hummus. Thanks for sharing.
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nancy
that puff pastry pumpkin is the cutest. Great idea and so easy to make and put together! Thanks for the idea since we are hosting this year! -
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Bernice
What an enticing Halloween board. I love how you made that brie en croute. I’m heading to a Halloween party on Saturday and bringing this for sure!-
Marie Breton
It’s not a Brie, although it could be, it’s called a Chaume and it melt less liquid then Brie and taste softer. A big favorite of kids in France!
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Asha
I invited some friends for a Halloween party. This board was a big hit. Everyone loved the puffed pumpkin cheese. May keep this recipe for Thanksgiving also. -
Fouzia
Very interesting charcuterie board. I love the idea of roasted pumpkin hummus which I am going to try out. And I love how you made the cheese pumpkin puff pastry. Thanks for sharing.
love this idea!