Do you love Cheese as much as I do? Seriously… my favorite appetizer or snack? Cheese! Put it in a cute form, with seasoning and crackers… oh yum! I’ve had this recipe for several years and it’s been a hit at every event I’ve taken it too. I’ve given the basic cheese ball a lift today by turning it into this adorable Turkey Cheese Ball Appetizer.
Turkey Cheese Ball Appetizer-
A fun story about this recipe.. Several years ago I made a batch of this cheese dip {not in turkey form} for my husband and I to take on a long flight at Christmas time… it was confiscated at security with the new liquid/gel rule. My husband was so sad! {he doesn’t like plane food!} and still to this day talks about that incident every time I make this dip… love it!
The ingredients are quite simple and I’m sure you have most around the house.
Here’s the full recipe:
Turkey Cheese Ball Appetizer
Each and festive turkey cheese ball for Thanksgiving
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese softened {light?}
- 1/4 Cup Kraft Mayo {light?}
- 2 TBS minced Garlic
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 bag of small pretzel rods
- nuts for eyes, nose and feet
Instructions
- Put the soft cream cheese in a med. mixing bowl.
- Add the Mayo and mix well.
- Mix in the garlic, lemon and paprika.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese and mix in all in.
- Shape into a round ball, keeping another 2/4 cup of the cheese for the head.
- create a round head with the reserved cheese and place on top of the body. Use an almond for the beak with a walnut next to it. Two walnuts on pretzel also work for the feet. I used pistachio shells for the eyes.
- Stick pretzels into the back side in lots and lots of layers. I sprinkled a bit more cheese on top like feathers.
- Serve and enjoy the compliments ;o)
Do you celebrate Thanksgiving with friends, family or both? We live too far from family to make the trip for a long weekend, so Thanksgiving for us is a true Friendsgiving event… I’ll be bringing this turkey appetizer for sure. We usually cook up two huge turkeys, then all bring other dishes in a great big pot-luck Thanksgiving dinner.. the food is always so amazing and the evening is full of fun.
Dip right in and enjoy! You will need to put a bowl of the pretzels next to the turkey as the tail feathers will be eaten up quick!
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Get lots of other great ideas for your Thanksgiving..
Here are a couple other great appetizer ideas that I’ve shared in the past:
And some other super tasty sides that would be perfect for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Sides
A great list of sides dishes perfect for the Thanksgiving table
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
What a cute cheese ball! 🙂 my kiddos would have fun making and eating this! 🙂
Emily says
thanks!! it was fun too!
Shauna says
I’m loving this idea! My boys would definitely love this!
Joanna Sormunen says
What a fun and delicious idea! Just perfect for this season!
Heather says
Love inventive ideas like this. 🙂
Catrina says
The idea is really delicious! Thanks for sharing!