Halloween Party Appetizers: Cheese Ball Hand and Jack Skellington Chicken Dip

These two Halloween party appetizers are built to look like the holiday. One is a molded cheese ball shaped into a hand and arm, with mozzarella string cheese fingers wrapped in prosciutto. The other is a chicken dip spread into a round dish and piped with a Jack Skellington face. Both come together from simple ingredients, and the cheese ball can be made ahead and chilled so you can set it out when guests arrive. The chicken dip is served hot or cold.

Halloween party appetizers: two recipes to make

1. Halloween Cheese Ball Hand

A molded hand-shaped cheese ball made from cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar and ranch dip mix, with mozzarella string cheese fingers wrapped in prosciutto and the whole hand and arm layered with prosciutto and smoked deli ham. It serves 10 and takes about 20 minutes to prep, with 80 minutes total including chilling.

Ingredients

• 5 Sticks Mozzarella String Cheese
• 6 oz Prosciutto Di Parma
• 6 oz Uncured Smoked Deli Ham (Thinly Sliced)
• 8 oz Cream Cheese (Softened)
• 16 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Or Extra Sharp, Shredded)
• 1 pkt Hidden Valley Ranch Dip Mix

Method

1. In a food processor, pulse the cream cheese, shredded cheddar and dip mix together just until blended. Do not over mix. Set aside.
2. Trace your hand and arm onto a sheet of parchment paper with a pencil. Cut it out and place it drawn side down on a large cutting board or platter. Set aside.
3. Cut each mozzarella stick to the length of four fingers and a thumb. Roll each one up in a layer of prosciutto and place it in its spot on the parchment paper.
4. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the palm and arm portion of the parchment, then use clean hands to form it into shape.
5. Layer slices of prosciutto and ham over the entire thing, tucking in or cutting off any meat that hangs over.
6. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour up to 24 hours.
7. Serve with crackers.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Total time: 80 minutes

Servings: 10 servings

2. Jack Skellington Chicken Dip

A chicken dip decorated as Jack Skellington. Softened cream cheese, Miracle Whip, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and shredded chicken are blended and spread into a round dish, then a whipped cream cheese mixture with black food coloring is piped on for the face. It serves 12, with 15 minutes to prep and 20 minutes in the oven.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (1 block) of cream cheese, (softened)
• 1 cup Miracle Whip ((or make homemade Miracle Whip using mayonnaise))
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 12 ounces shredded chicken
• 3 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon Miracle Whip
• black food coloring

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, Miracle Whip, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and chicken. Blend until well combined with a hand-held mixer or a large spoon.
3. Spread the chicken dip into a 9-inch round pie plate or casserole dish.
4. Mix the whipped cream cheese, Miracle Whip and black food coloring until well blended. Spoon it into a pastry bag fitted with a #5 round pastry tip.
5. Pipe Jack Skellington’s eyes, nostrils and mouth onto the chicken dip.
6. Bake for 20 minutes.
7. Serve hot. Or, simply serve it cold.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Servings: 12

For another chicken dip to add to a party menu, see our Frank’s RedHot Buffalo chicken dip.