Who doesn’t need a creepy hand charcuterie appetizer this fall! I have to admit that for the last 2 years of running this site, I’ve avoided making this board – because it honestly creeped me out a bit. This year I decided it was time and decided to give the creepy charcuterie hand a try! This hand is surprisingly easy to make with soft cheese, prosciutto, and some mozzarella wrapped fingers.
Serve this board for a Halloween party or on the night of Trick-or-Treat for a little scare.
Looking for more ideas for fall? Get our newsletter or check out our top Halloween Board Ideas.
Ingredients for a Creepy Hand Charcuterie Appetizer
You can serve this creepy hand as part of a larger board with lots of ingredients, or you can simply serve it with crackers or bread for a simple board.
Here are the ingredients you will need for the hand:
- Mozzarella wrapped Proscuitto (available in many grocery stores)
- Cream Cheese
- Goat Cheese
- Prosciutto
- Herbs (I used a French herb mix)
- Sliced almonds (for the nails)
How to Form the Charcuterie Creepy Hand
Start by mixing together the cream cheese and goat cheese at about a 1:1 ratio. Mix in the herbs to taste. You can also use a soft herbed cheese or any cheese of your choice.
Optional: trace your hand on some parchment paper to make it easy to form the hand. I did not do this and kept comparing the design to my hand and built it directly on the wood board.
Lay out the 5 mozzarella sticks to make the fingers.
Next scoop out the cheese and form the hand and connect the finger.
To pull it all together take layers of prosciutto and lay them over the cheese to form and connect the hand.
Finally create finger nails with sliced almonds or olives.
- Serve this board with crackers or bread or use it as the center for a larger board.
Watch me Make this Creepy Charcuterie Hand
Tips for Serving a Creepy Hand Charcuterie Board
Once your creepy hand charcuterie appetizer is formed, it’s time to turn it into a true Halloween showstopper! Here are some ideas for presentation, serving, and styling that make this eerie appetizer even more fun and festive:
1. Set the Scene
Place your creepy hand in the center of a dark or rustic wooden board to give it that spooky, graveyard vibe. You can also line the board with black parchment paper or cheesecloth for extra texture.
2. Add a Touch of “Gore”
Drizzle a little red pepper jelly, raspberry jam, or a thin line of balsamic glaze around the fingers to mimic “blood.” It’s delicious and perfectly creepy for Halloween night.
3. Surround It with Snacks
Turn your creepy hand into part of a larger Halloween board by surrounding it with:
- Crackers and crostini – perfect for spreading the soft cheese.
- Cured meats – salami, soppressata, or spicy capicola for color contrast.
- Olives and cornichons – they add a moody, earthy touch.
- Dried fruits and nuts – figs, dates, or candied pecans add sweetness and balance.
- Halloween candy accents – a few candy eyeballs or candy bones tucked around the edges add a playful surprise.
4. Keep It Cool
If you’re serving this outdoors or over several hours, chill the cheese hand before guests arrive and keep the rest of the board covered until ready to serve. The firm texture will help it hold its shape.
5. Have Fun with Presentation
Serve it with a spooky knife “stuck” in the board or decorate the table with mini pumpkins, cobwebs, or flickering candles.
6. Don’t Stress the Perfection
The best part of this appetizer is that it’s supposed to look a little weird! The uneven edges, wrinkled prosciutto, and rustic shapes only make it creepier.
