Spooky and Fun Halloween Boards with Betty Mafla

Halloween is the perfect time to combine creativity with flavor, and Betty Mafla of Shimmer and Delights makes it easy with her festive and spooky shakuderie boards. On Bloom Tampa Bay, Betty shared tips for putting together boards that are beautiful, elegant, and just a little bit creepy—perfect for your next Halloween party.

Betty explains that while these boards may look intimidating, they are simpler to create than they appear. You can stick with a traditional shakuderie board featuring cheeses, meats, and fruits, or go all-out with a candy board full of gummies, marshmallows, and colorful treats. Using themed trays or pre-divided boards makes assembly even easier.

For a spooky twist, Betty demonstrated a “mummy brie,” where the top layer of brie is sliced into strips and decorated with spooky candy eyes and a little strawberry filling for a “bloody” effect. She emphasizes balancing sweet and savory flavors by combining cheeses with fresh and dried fruits, jams, or even a few indulgent treats.

Betty also shared tips for fun, Halloween-inspired designs using cookie cutters and hard cheeses to create ghosts, goblins, or other shapes. A simple yet effective idea she calls “witch’s fingers” uses mozzarella sticks with pitted olives for nails—a spooky, creative, and delicious addition to any board.

Her advice for anyone hesitant to try is simple: “Don’t be afraid, just go for it.” With a little imagination and a willingness to experiment, anyone can create a visually stunning and tasty Halloween board that’s sure to impress guests.

Whether you’re hosting a kid-friendly party or an elegant adult gathering, these Halloween boards from Betty Mafla combine fun, flavor, and creativity for a treat that’s almost too good to eat—almost!