Turkey Cheese Ball for Thanksgiving
This Turkey Cheese Ball for Thanksgiving is the cutest festive appetizer! Dress up my simple Italian seasoned cream cheese-based cheese ball with a festive turkey head and feathers for an adorable addition to Thanksgiving dinner. This simple addition to your holiday meal will be a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Cheese Ball Ingredients:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces vegetable cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups shredded Italian Cheese Blend, divided
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped & partially crushed
Turkey Decorations:
- 1 candy corn
- 2 candy eye balls
- 12 small pretzel rods
- 1 large pretzel stick
Instructions
- Start by making the cheese mixture. In a medium bowl, or a stand mixer, put the softened cream cheese, vegetable cream cheese, Italian Seasoning, onion powder, and the Italian cheese.
- Mix until well combined. Push the cheese mixture with a spatula down the sides of the bowl so a ball starts forming.
- On a flat surface, lay out a large piece of plastic wrap. Sprinkle the chopped and crushed walnuts on the surface.
- Using your hands, form the cheese into a ball. Set the ball onto the walnuts on the plastic wrap. Carefully push the walnuts into the ball.
- Carefully fold the plastic wrap around the cheeseball, making sure the walnuts coat the ball as much as possible.
- Transfer the cheese ball into the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours, but up to overnight.
- When ready to serve, carefully remove the plastic wrap from the cheese ball.
- Now you decorate the turkey! Use the small pretzel rods for the turkey feathers. Create the turkey body with a large pretzel rod. Using a small amount of cream cheese, stick the candy corn and eyeballs on the large pretzel for the face.
- Serve with crackers or your favorite dippers.
Notes
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftovers of this Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Make Ahead
You can make this a day ahead of time, just assemble the stem and toppings right before serving. If you do it ahead of time and put it in the fridge it will get soggy.
Freezing
Yes, You can freeze a completely made cheese ball without the turkey toppings. Wrap it in foil and freeze for up to three months.
Nutrition
Calories: 317kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 13gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 288mgPotassium: 143mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 429IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 1mg
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