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While the real bird is roasting, you can present your guests with this tasty Thanksgiving turkey. Our flock of clever Test Kitchen cooks dreamed up the recipe for this festive cheese ball centerpiece.
Nutritional Facts 2 tablespoons (calculated without decorations and additional crackers) equals 72 calories, 5 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 21 mg cholesterol, 168 mg sodium, 1 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 5 g protein.
Originally published as Turkey Cheese Ball in Country Woman October/November 2007, p18
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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
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.
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