Name: Halloween Cheese Skull
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 1 servings
Ingredients: 8 ounces bacon strips, chopped; 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1 teaspoon garlic salt; 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper; 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1/3 cup chopped green onions; 1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted; 4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto; 2 fresh mozzarella cheese balls (Bocconcini); Assorted crackers

My neighbor was having a "Witches Night" Halloween party, and I decided to make this version of a charcuterie board for the occasion. It was creepy enough to scare the guests but tasty enough to make them come back for more. —Cindy Nerat, Menominee, Michigan

Ingredients

8 ounces bacon strips, chopped

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/3 cup chopped green onions

1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted

4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto

2 fresh mozzarella cheese balls (Bocconcini)

Assorted crackers

Instructions

1 In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.

2 In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth; stir in sour cream, garlic salt and pepper until well blended. Stir in cheddar, green onions, pecans and cooled cooked bacon. Transfer to a serving plate or dish. Using an offset spatula, spread into skull shape, about 2-in. thick. Place two mozzarella pieces for eyes.

3 Cover cream cheese mixture with Prosciutto slices, leaving the eyes and spaces or a nose and mouth uncovered. Chill until set, about 1 hour. Serve with assorted crackers.