There’s nothing we love more than seeing the creativity of bakers and chefs from all over the globe, with help from Instagram. It’s no wonder we love following the snack board inspiration guru herself, Maegan Brown aka @thebakermama!
Just last year, Maegan debuted her snowman cheese board for the holidays. Lucky for us, she’s back this fall with a Halloween snack board.
This Jack-O’-Lantern Is Serving Snacks
If you haven’t heard of Maegan and her beautiful boards, let us introduce you! She creates an assortment of seasonal shapes with some of our favorite finger foods, and honestly, they’re a sight to behold. Just take a look at her pancake and waffle breakfast board—I didn’t even know this could be done! Color me impressed.
For this spooky holiday season, she’s rolling out a Halloween classic. It;’s…a pumpkin! We didn’t really keep that a secret, though, did we?
How to Make Your Own
According to Maegan, she started with a circular 20-inch board for the general shape of the pumpkin. To create the eyes and nose, she set out triangular cookie cutters. For the mouth, she took black grapes and shaped them into a smile. Too cute!
As you may have already expected, this board is going to be very orange-centric. Maegan mentions that she got most of the snacks from Trader Joe’s except for a select few.
For the main part of the pumpkin, she alternated neatly laid lines of different snacks from left to right. Here’s a list of what she used for the body:
- Cuties (clementines)
- Dried apricots
- Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s
- Cheddar popcorn
- Cheez-Its
- Cheddar cheese slices
- Baby carrots
- Orange peppers
- Cheese balls
- Sweet potato crackers
- Cantaloupe
- Cucumbers (for the stem)
For the eyes and nose, she focused on black-colored foods to match the mouth. Here’s what she used:
- Blackberries
- Olives
- Black figs
While she built the board, she mentioned starting with the eyes and nose first and packing in the lines of orange snacks afterwards. She did an incredible job, and we can’t help but give her a round of applause!
While the foods Maegan used seem perfect, she encourages others to use their own creativity and create boards that fit their own personal style. So, give this pumpkin a shot with all your favorite goodies, and most importantly, have a happy Halloween!
Find More Ideas for Your Harvest Spread
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Cheesy Meatball Sliders
These meatball sliders are a fun way to serve meatballs at your party without using a slow cooker. Made on mini Hawaiian rolls, they have a hint of sweetness to balance out all the wonderful Italian seasonings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pumpkin Hummus
Our home economists give traditional hummus an autumn appeal with the addition of canned pumpkin. Hot pepper sauce lends just the right amount of heat.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Black Forest Ham Pinwheels
Dried cherries are the sweet surprise alongside the savory ingredients in these delightfully different spirals. I roll up the tortillas and pop them in the fridge well before party time, and then I just slice and serve. —Kate Dampier, Quail Valley, California
Crab Cake Stuffed Mushrooms
These tender mushrooms with their crispy golden topping are always popular at parties! The crab filling is a delicious special occasion treat. Serve them while they're warm. —Nancy Aiello, Bloomery, West Virginia
Beer & Cheddar Fondue
This great-tasting beer cheese fondue is my mom's favorite, so I make it for her birthday every year. I like to serve this cheddar cheese fondue recipe with apple slices, rye bread cubes and chunks of carrots, mushrooms, celery, zucchini, squash and broccoli. —Amanda Wentz, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Garlic Pizza Wedges
Our pastor made this for a get-together, and my husband and I just couldn't stay away from the hors d'oeuvres table. The cheesy slices taste great served warm, but they're still wonderful when they've cooled slightly. —Krysten Johnson, Simi Valley, California
Spicy Honey Sriracha Game Day Dip
You can easily whip up this creamy, spicy and salty dip. I love dips for parties in the slow cooker—just turn the slow cooker to low once it is cooked and let your guests help themselves. No need to worry about the dip getting cold and having to reheat it. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Empanadas
I created this appetizer because I entertain a lot and am always trying to think of things I can do ahead of time. I always need to make extra because people love them so much! —Lynn Scully, Rancho Santa Fe, California
Tomato Apple Chutney
I love to make different kinds of chutney during the holidays and give jars to family and friends for gifts. Cook the chutney in a slow cooker, and you don't have to fuss with it until you are ready to serve. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Baby Swiss Appetizer Cheesecake
This beautiful cheesecake appetizer can be refrigerated up to 24 hours before serving, so it's the perfect make-ahead recipe for holidays, game days or special occasions. —Marilyn Edelman, Sabetha, Kansas
Shredded Lamb Sliders
Lamb, a wonderful special-occasion meat, is a big crowd-pleaser in these delicious sliders. I served up about 1,500 in two days when I made them for the Great American Beer Fest, using every little bit to satisfy the very last customer. —Craig Kuczek, Aurora, Colorado
Three Cheese Artichoke & Spinach Dip
Grated Parm, shredded mozzarella, cream cheese, mayo and butter make this dip as decadent as it gets. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mushroom and Smoked Gouda Puff
It's so very easy, but it looks and tastes gourmet. Dinner party guests will be impressed with this perfect starter course. Serve with a spicy mustard for dipping if desired. —Christina Singer, Bellefontaine, Ohio
Dijon-Bacon Dip for Pretzels
With just four ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry or fridge, this quick appetizer comes together in a snap. If you like the zip of horseradish, start with a teaspoon or two and add more to taste. —Isabelle Rooney, Summerville, South Carolina
Beef Wellington Fried Wontons
These tasty appetizers scale down classic beef Wellington to an ideal party size. They feel fancy and fun! —Dianne Phillips, Tallapoosa, Georgia
Slow-Cooker Cheeseburger Dip
This fun dip recipe uses ingredients I always have in the fridge, so it's easy to throw together on short notice. —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska
Mediterranean Hummus Nachos
My husband once piled all the Middle Eastern dishes I'd made on top of pita chips. It was delicious and fun, so we've kept doing it! I am half Lebanese, so we usually call these Lebanese nachos. Whatever you call them, you can't help but like them! —Gina Fensler, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cranberry Brie Pecan Pinwheels
This recipe is a twist on baked Brie. My family always requests these during the holidays. They are delicious and make the kitchen smell amazing! —Jacquie Franklin, Hot Springs, Montana
Mini Beef Tourtieres
Here's a twist on the traditional tourtiere recipe. Ground beef replaces pork, and cream cheese pastry takes the place of pie pastry. The filled mini cups make a melt-in-your-mouth addition to a holiday buffet. —Cheryl Bruneau, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Maple Pulled Pork Buns
Maple syrup is my sweet secret to these irresistible buns. Slow-cooking the flavor-packed pork couldn’t be easier, and they’re quick to roll up. We love them for parties because they serve a packed house. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Thyme and Fig Goat Cheese Spread
When I started growing herbs in my garden it took me a while to find a good way to use thyme, but this easy appetizer spread lets it shine. I usually garnish it with a sprig of thyme, slivered almonds and chopped figs. —Laura Cox, Columbia, Missouri
Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket
For New Year’s, I used to make beef and cheddar pigs in a blanket, but now I like apple and Gouda for an even better flavor celebration. —Megan Weiss, Menomonie, Wisconsin
Mushroom Palmiers
I found this recipe while working at a small-town museum in West Texas. It was the appetizer for a fundraiser a long, long time ago, and it’s still a huge hit at parties. Frozen puff pastry helps make it easy and impressive. The palmiers also freeze well. —Judy Lock, Panhandle, Texas
Sweet Potato Crostini
For party time, I turn this sweet potato side dish into an appetizer by serving it on slices of a French baguette. — Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Mushroom & Leek Strudel
This elegant hors d'oeuvre is almost effortless. Use fresh herbs if possible, and feel free to sub in whole wheat phyllo. —Lisa Diehl, Edina, Minnesota
Brat & Bacon Appetizer Pizza
Chopped bratwurst and maple bacon are a fabulous way to start a pizza. I jazz up this treat even more with apricot preserves and honey mustard. The snack-sized slices win over even the toughest critics. —Colleen Vrooman, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs
My daughter Sara loves spicy Buffalo chicken and deviled eggs, so I combined the two. Make and chill a day ahead so the flavors mingle. —Robin Spires, Tampa, Florida
Crab Crescent Triangles
When some friends who love crab were planning a party, I created this recipe for them. The comforting baked bundles wrap up a cheesy seafood filling in convenient crescent roll dough. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Parmesan-Pretzel Crisps
I usually have the ingredients on hand and it is so easy to make, guest's really think you have gone the extra mile. —Pauline Porterfield, Roxboro, North Carolina
Brandied Blue Cheese Spread
Pour on the holiday spirit with a splash of brandy and three kinds of cheese. Pumpkin seeds, or pepitas, are a crunchy topping for the smooth spread. —T.B. England, San Antonio, Texas
Best Ever Stuffed Mushrooms
These fresh-from-the-oven mushrooms have become a tradition in my family. When you want a change, consider fixing the sausage and cream cheese filling all by itself-it's good spread on baguette slices and crackers. -Debby Beard, Eagle, Colorado
Bacon, Cheddar and Swiss Cheese Ball
When it’s time for a party, everyone always requests this ultimate cheese ball—it’s such an impressive appetizer. And if you’re a party guest, it makes a fabulous gift for your hosts.—Sue Franklin, Lake St. Louis, Missouri
Mini Mac & Cheese Bites
Young relatives were coming for a party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. Instead, the adults devoured my mini mac and cheese. -Katherine Mainiero, Poughkeepsie, NY
Apple-Pecan Baked Brie
As family arrives for a get-together, I make sure this fruity and savory Brie is in the oven so the aromas of cinnamon and apples fill the house. —Alicia Gower, Auburn, New York
Mushroom Bundles
My guests rely on me to come up with yummy starters like these crispy mushroom appetizers made for a New Year's party. They vanish before your eyes. —Tina Coopman, Toronto, Ontario
Sweet Potato Tartlets
My family can't resist sweet potatoes when they're mashed, placed in crunchy phyllo shells and topped with marshmallows. The bite-size tarts are fun to eat, too! —Marla Clark, Moriarty, New Mexico
Mini Teriyaki Turkey Sandwiches
Preparing the pulled turkey in a delicious teriyaki sauce for these snack-size sandwiches is a breeze using a slow cooker. Serving them on lightly-toasted sweet dinner rolls is perfection made easy.—Amanda Hoop, Seaman, Ohio
Roasted Pumpkin Nachos
Previously, I had made this dish with black beans and corn off the cob in the summer. Wanting to try it with fresh fall ingredients, I replaced the corn with roasted pumpkin—yum! It's also good with butternut squash. —Lesle Harwood, Douglassville, Pennsylvania
Blue Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Peppers
Whenever I put out a plate of these cute little appetizers, people come flocking. We love 'em any time of year! -Tara Cruz, Kersey, Colorado
Barbecue Glazed Meatballs
Stock your freezer with these meatballs and you'll always have a tasty appetizer on hand. We even like to eat them as a main dish with rice or noodles on busy weeknights. —Anna Finley, Columbia, Missouri
Baked Baby Potatoes with Olive Pesto
These little cuties pack all the appeal of a dinner baked potato into the perfect bite-sized appetizer. I top off each one with a dollop of sour cream and coarsely ground pepper. —Sarah Shaikh, Mumbai, India
Parmesan Mushroom Tartlets
My easy tartlets loaded with a cheesy mushroom filling take advantage of refrigerated crescent roll dough. I think they’re best warm from the oven with a sprinkling of green onion.—Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
German Beer Cheese Spread
We love recipes inspired by our German heritage. This tangy spread is fantastic served alongside everything, including pretzels and pumpernickel or crackers and sausage. Choose your favorite beer—the flavor really comes through. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
Mini Shrimp & Sweet Potato Kabobs
Roasted sweet potatoes and marinated shrimp combine for a delicious party starter—especially when you thread them onto skewers and pop them on the grill!—Paul Wargaski, Chicago, Illinois
Jalapeno Popper & Sausage Dip
My workplace had an appetizer contest, and I won it with my jalapeno and cheese dip. Every time I take it anywhere, folks empty the slow cooker. —Bev Slabik, Dilworth, Minnesota
Chili-Lime Roasted Chickpeas
Looking for a lighter snack that's still a crowd-pleaser? You've found it! This zesty, crunchy chickpea recipe will have everyone happily munching. —Julie Ruble, Charlotte, North Carolina
Jalapeno Popper Spread
I've been told by fellow party-goers that this recipe tastes exactly like a jalapeno popper. I like that it can be made without much fuss. —Ariane McAlpine, Penticton, British Columbia
Mini Phyllo Tacos
For a winning appetizer, serve crispy phyllo cups filled with taco-seasoned ground beef and shredded cheese. These handheld bites will be a surefire hit with a hungry crowd. —Roseann Weston, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Party Shrimp
The marinade for this dish makes the shrimp so flavorful, you won't even need a dipping sauce. Even those who claim they don’t like shellfish really dig this appetizer. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Thanksgiving Wontons
We get creative with leftovers and make them into wontons. With a little turkey, cream cheese, cranberry sauce and wrappers, you’ve got appetizers. —Sarah Gilbert, Beaverton, OregonThe post People Are Making Pumpkin-Shaped Snack Boards—and They’re Gourd-geous appeared first on Taste of Home.
Melany Love