Turkey Cheese Ball Recipe

Reviewed on Nov. 25, 2012 by shiny0torchic

I'm afraid I managed to fail the presentation of this dish. When I used the cream cheese decoration on the 'feather' crackers, I came out with some really terrible colors and a really big mess. BUT, the actual cheese ball was delicious. I'll make this recipe again, but I think next time I'll just decorate the rim with an assortment of crackers and leave the cheese ball as just a cheese ball. Tasty recipe, I'll be making this again.

Reviewed on Dec. 04, 2011 by barnsnip

This was a hit! I used pretzels rather than pecans and the squeeze-type of icing so it was easier for the kids to use...also used cheese for the orange. Decorated with green icing leaves around the tray.

Reviewed on Dec. 03, 2011 by kmauk

Couldn't find the townhouse bistro crackers, or any other large oval cracker so I "glued" two oval townhouse crackers together with the cream cheese mixture. It worked, but the larger oval crackers would have been much better.

Reviewed on Nov. 18, 2011 by chocorich

This has become a family favorite during the holidays. One friend comes over just for this cheese ball. Last year, a picture of this cheese ball made it into our family calendar!

Reviewed on Nov. 17, 2011 by schatzlein99

Like other reviews have stated..I was not able to find the oval shaped crackers used in this recipe. Plus, crackers get soggy if you assemble it too far in advance. I made and took to relatives house for Thanksgiving Dinner, although cute, it was falling apart pretty quick because of soggy crackers.

Reviewed on Nov. 10, 2011 by gossmarian

very fun to make with kids! We do a cheeseball every year anyway, so this was fun twist on an old tradition for us. You can really use any cheese ball recipe you have and decorate as shown. the only thing was it was hard to find those big oval crackers. I did eventually find them in our supermarket's gourmet section.

Reviewed on Oct. 26, 2011 by dianeivie

I would like to know what kind of crackers do you find that big?

Reviewed on Oct. 22, 2011 by ButterLovingGirl

My family loved it! It amazed even the harshest critic, making it worth the hassle. The crackers used are hard to find and if decorated and assembled too early the tail feathers get soggy and fall apart.

Reviewed on Jul. 31, 2011 by lorettasylvia

Geez. . . I can't wait to make this for Thanksgiving with our grand kids. They love crafts and will absolutely love to make this turkey to share with everyone.

I have to say 'Thanks so much' to all of you for the recipes you have tested and given to the rest of us.

You have made my life a heck of a lot easier. I receive nice compliments and tell everyone where I found my recipes "Taste of Home.' Thanks again for making my cooking fun and creative too. Love your magazine also.

Loretta

Reviewed on Dec. 20, 2010 by 02Leo1937

Looked great but was quick to make crackers soggy...as instructions said, mixed 9 ozs. cream cheese to decorate 6 crackers...way to much leftover. Nothing spectacular in taste...pretty mundane. Does not kept well past the inital half hour. NOT a keeper for me!

Reviewed on Dec. 04, 2010 by peggy1830

My Son is a teacher, I had made the monster cheese ball for Halloween and made the turkey for his Teachers luncheon, everyone loved them both. I added Armour Dried Beef chopped up into the cheese ball and it was great.

Reviewed on Nov. 26, 2010 by northstar72

very good... i used yellow cream cheese for the beak instead of squash. its a lot easier and you dont have to worry about it falling off

Reviewed on Nov. 19, 2010 by Aunt B

I need help. To make the head do you cut two identical pieces and put together with toothpick if not explain how this cut.

Thank You

Reviewed on Nov. 02, 2010 by Mary K T

This was so cute as an appetizer. Just a note to anyone making it. Attach the feathers to the cheeseball at the very last minute before serving. Otherwise, they do get soggy. I would definately make this again.

Reviewed on Dec. 28, 2009 by Swthrtlane

DELICIOUS! Everyone raved on how cute it was!

Reviewed on Dec. 23, 2009 by mkmbrll0496

A big hit. This si the first time the kids have helped to cook. Because of tree nut allergies we replaced the pecans with pretzel twists. I broke apart into arcs and stuffed into the cheese ball.

Reviewed on Dec. 13, 2009 by justhair

Everybody loved this for it's looks and it's taste and it was easy to make. Use your imagination. We used a row of large pretzels , with a row of small pretzels in place of the pecans and we cut a piece of yellow pepper for the beak in place of the squash. We also used Easy Cheese in a can to decorate the crackers. Be sure to try and find the longest skinny red pepper you can for the neck, it looks better that way. This cheese ball will become a tradition on our Thanksgiving table, makes a great center piece!

Reviewed on Dec. 02, 2009 by wildflowerbyheart

Although it took a couple hours to actually make, it was well worth it! It was the centerpiece for our Thanksgiving dinner! For the actual cheese ball: I used real cream cheese (not reduced fat) and sharp cheddar, omitted the deli smoked turkey & onions, and added only 2 tsp Worcestershire, 2 tsp lemon juice, and 1/2 pkg of Ranch DRESSING mix (not the dip. only use half or it will be too salty). For the "feathers" I didn't need to add milk, I just softened in microwave for about 20 secs. before adding food coloring. My colors weren't as dark as ones in photo, more pastel. But it still looked fabulous! Luckily, I found the Townhouse Bistro Crackers after searching at 3 different groceries stores (Gerbes is where I found it). I had so much fun making this... it was definitely a hit! I served with Holiday Ritz Crackers shaped like snowflakes. And I surrounded the turkey with yellow, orange, and green leaves made out of cream cheese & powdered sugar in a press. It turned out beautiful! Wish there was somewhere to upload a photo! :)

Reviewed on Nov. 30, 2009 by lorajean18

I skipped a few steps so my niece (5-year-old) could help with dinner. I gave her icing pens for the crackers and we bought store-made cheese balls to save time and to stay out of Mom's kitchen! She was so proud, she stood guard and wouldn't let anyone touch it!

Reviewed on Nov. 24, 2009 by kizzthecook

I made this last year for Christmas and it was a hit. I dont think anybody wanted to eat it just look at it. I didnt use the bell pepper for the neck and head. I molded cream cheese into the shape of a neck and head and then colored more cream cheese and used my cake decorating tips to decorate it.

Reviewed on Nov. 19, 2009 by osubalogh@yahoo.com

I made this and nobody wanted to eat it because it was so cute. Eventually it was eaten but only after everybody took pictures of it.

Reviewed on Nov. 02, 2009 by stephjamie2008

This was so easy to make as so delicious

Reviewed on Oct. 15, 2009 by Apple26

This was a huge hit! It is fun and easy to make and tastes wonderful! It has become a family tradition.

Reviewed on Mar. 30, 2009 by mgreenmier

I replaced the cheese ball with butter and used the same decorating tips to create a butter turkey for my Thanksgiving meal. He was adorable and the highlight of my Thanksgiving table.

Reviewed on Dec. 26, 2008 by CherryTree3

Lovin' this cheeseball. Forgot to get a bell pepper and squash for the turkey's face, so I just got another cracker and made a face on it. It's REALLY good...

Reviewed on Nov. 30, 2008 by twooftwo

I made this turkey cheese ball for an Thanksgiving appetizer with assorted crackers. You can refrigerate the cheese ball mixture overnight and assemble the next day. I think the flavor is better this way. And it is adorable!

Reviewed on Nov. 23, 2008 by mbandboys

Maybe use a tooth pick?

Reviewed on Nov. 22, 2008 by xiomis

 Hi, we put a toothpick inside of the red pepper to make it stand up and also to conect the nose.

Good luck! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Reviewed on Nov. 10, 2008 by egb333

How do you get the red pepper to stand up for a neck, and also, how does the cream cheese adhere to the pepper for eyes and nose?