The Cheese Lover’s Guide to Halloween | Wisconsin Cheese | Wisconsin Cheese

From the costumes to the décor to the food, Halloween gatherings are an indispensable part of autumn. Just ask Wisconsin Cheese’s Chief Marketing Officer, Suzanne Fanning, who hosts some of the most creative, and cheesy Halloween parties you’ve ever curd of. Lucky for our fellow cheese lovers, we sat down with Su to learn her secrets to throwing a memorable, cheese-filled party.While your annual party might look a little different this year, with some creativity and some delicious Wisconsin cheese, you can still celebrate in style! Whether you prefer ghouls or gouda, or mummies or muenster, read on to learn how to throw the Halloween party of your dreamsHow to Throw the Best Halloween PartyThrowing a great party can feel a little intimidating, but with a little bit of planning—and a lot of cheese—you’ll be ready to be the “ghostess with the mostess.” Read on for Su’s best-kept secrets to a Halloween party.It’s All About the ExperienceA successful party is about creating a unique experience from beginning to end. According to Su, “A great party starts with the invitation.” Including little details that incorporate the theme and add some spooky vibes are an easy way to get invitees excited and ready to RSVP, ASAP. From there, think about what the experience will be once your guests arrive and step out of their car. Outdoor decorations, music, even a fog machine can transform an everyday abode into a haunted house. “It’s all about the details,” says Su. “It’s the total experience that makes a party memorable.” Don’t leave all the set-up for the day-of, though. Setting up decorations in small pieces in the week leading up will ensure your hosting stays stress-free.3 Things to Make a Successful PartyOverwhelmed by all the details? Su recommends diving into three areas when planning your Halloween party: theme, décor, and food—including cheese, obviously.Pick A ThemeThe theme sets the stage for the whole evening. “Always make a theme!” laughs Su. “We’ve had a bunch of fun ones. ‘Come as you aren’t’ – where you embody the opposite of your personality. My favorite was ‘come as what you wanted to be when you were 5.”  The theme allows partygoers to get creative, and it’s a guaranteed conversation-starter. Don’t be afraid to go big.Start DecoratingThe décor creates the mood and bridges the theme. While it might be tempting to haul out the same cobwebs and plastic spiders every year, mixing up your décor will add an element of surprise that keeps guests engaged throughout the whole evening. A crucial part of the décor: your costume! Go all out, and your guests will be inspired to do the same.Don’t Forget the Cheese!Finally, the food. Any socially-anxious party-goer has fond memories of hanging by the underwhelming snack table—after all, that’s where the cheese lives. At Su’s party, however, the snack table gets a major upgrade with a delicious pot of creamy, melted cheese. That’s right: Celebrating At A DistanceThis year, a responsible Halloween celebration will look different than the past—but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate in style! Su plans on hosting a “drive-in and drive-by” party, with a projector set up to screen Halloween classics outdoors and tons of decorations. “I’m going to make it as visually fun as I can,” says Su, noting that guests can appreciate the décor from afar. As for the fondue and themed dishes? They’ll make an appearance, but just appreciated by immediate family instead of a wide-ranging guest list. Whatever way you choose to safely celebrate this year, there are still ways to capture the spirit of Halloween!3 Scary-Good RecipesReady to get your Halloween-themed nosh on? Get the recipes for Su’s favorite appetizers below.Spooky Parmesan Chicken FingersWitches’ fingers have never been so delicious. Don’t skimp on a garnish of grated parmesan!Classic chicken fingers get an upgrade with Weyauwega Star Dairy Parmesan cheese mixed into the breading! Top these baked appetizers with an almond sliver “nail” and serve with green-tinted ranch dipping sauce. Sprinkle with extra grated parm for extra nutty, cheesy goodness! Featured Cheeses:Get the recipe for our Spooky Parmesan Chicken Fingers here.Mini Pumpkin Cheese BallsGarlicky, cheesy, and bite-sized, these cheese balls are decorated to look like pumpkins.Cheese balls are a classic Midwestern treat this time of year—or any time of year, really. But why share one large cheese ball when you could have a mini one all to yourself? Cheddar garlic cold pack cheese, cream cheese, and mild cheddar are mixed to create the creamy trifecta you’ve only dreamed about. Want to mix it up? Cold pack cheese comes in a number of flavors including bacon, toasted onion, garden vegetable, and more. It’s too hard to pick a favorite—we’ll just take all of them.Featured Cheeses:Asiago Bat CrackersThese Asiago-filled crackers are a sophisticated version of your favorite childhood snack.While making homemade crackers might sound like a challenge, these savory asiago crackers come together very easily, right in the bowl of your food processor. Just blend together all the ingredients, roll it out, and cut out your shapes! We love munching on these adorable little bats, but pumpkins, ghosts, and witches’ hats are all fair game too. Su guarantees that these crackers will fly off your table!Featured Cheeses:Get the recipe for our Asiago Bat Crackers here.ConclusionAlthough Halloween might look different this year, the spirit of celebration isn’t going anywhere. If all this talk of cheesy Halloween treats has you feeling hungry, try our selection of Searching high-and-low for your favorite Wisconsin cheeses with no luck? You can get all your favorite Wisconsin cheeses delivered right to your door with our continuously updated list of cheesemakers and retailers that allow you to order cheese online. Award-winning Wisconsin cheese is just a click away. Like Be the first!