The Best Jack Skellington Cheese Ball: A Spooky Halloween Appetizer
This Jack Skellington Cheese Ball is a spooky, savory appetizer that transforms a classic bacon, cheddar, and ranch cheese ball into the Pumpkin King himself. The perfect Halloween centerpiece, it’s a fun, no-bake recipe that is easy to make ahead and decorate with black olives to create Jack’s iconic face.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl For combining ingredients
- Hand Mixer For blending cream cheese
- Plastic wrap For shaping and chilling
- Spatula For spreading whipped cream cheese
- Sharp Knife For cutting olives into facial features
Ingredients
- 16 oz block cream cheese (2 packages), softened
- 8 oz whipped cream cheese, softened (for coating)
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 0.4 oz Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (1 packet, not dip mix)
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 3–4 stalks green onions, green parts only, thinly sliced
- dash Worcestershire sauce
- dash hot sauce (optional)
- Black olives, for Jack's face
- Crackers, pretzels, or veggie sticks for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the softened block cream cheese with the ranch dressing mix until smooth.
- Stir in shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, Worcestershire sauce, and optional hot sauce until well combined.
- Transfer mixture to plastic wrap and shape into a round ball. Wrap tightly and chill at least 4 hours or overnight until firm.
- Unwrap and place on a serving platter. Spread whipped cream cheese over the entire surface to make Jack’s white head.
- Cut black olives into shapes for Jack’s eyes, nose, and stitched mouth. Gently press them into the surface to create his face.
- Serve surrounded by crackers, pretzels, or veggies.
Notes
Make the cheese ball up to 2 days ahead and decorate the face just before serving for the freshest look. Serve with a mix of crackers, pretzels, and veggies for a complete platter.