Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball
Celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving with this delightful Turkey Cheese Ball! Perfect for your November gatherings, this festive spread features a creamy port wine cheese base adorned with crunchy pretzel feathers and nuts that create an adorable turkey centerpiece. Adapted from a whimsical idea showcased in a 1996 Woman's World Magazine, this recipe is not only fun to assemble but also deliciously satisfying. Whether you serve it at a family dinner or a holiday party, it's sure to be a hit. Just be ready for guests to take a stab at it first!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Port Wine Cheese Spread
8 ounces (none)
Pretzel Sticks
10 large (break one in half for the neck)
Assorted Crackers
enough for serving (various shapes & sizes)
Sliced Almonds
1/2 cup (none)
Pimento
1 strip (cut into a small piece for wattle)
Whole Cloves
2 (none)
Whole Cashew
1 (none)
Instructions
1
Gather all the ingredients and have a reference picture for guidance.
2
Choose a round cereal bowl that fits comfortably on a large decorative plate. Begin by filling the bottom of the bowl with port wine cheese spread, ensuring to save some for decoration.
3
Position the bowl in the center of the plate. This will form the turkey's body.
4
Take one pretzel rod and snap it in half. Insert the broken end into the cheese to create the turkey's neck and head, using cheese to mold around the top to represent the head. If the neck is unstable, use a small cracker for support in the back.
5
Cover the turkey's throat and back with sliced almonds, layering them in a shingle pattern for a textured effect.
6
Use smaller crackers to decorate the neck area, creating a smooth transition to the cheese ball.
7
Arrange larger crackers and any remaining pretzel sticks around the sides of the cheese ball to form colorful turkey feathers.
8
Add two whole cloves to represent the eyes, a cashew for the beak, and a strip of pimento as the wattle under the neck.
9
Finally, serve your charming Turkey Cheese Ball with additional crackers for dipping.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball?
It is a festive and decorative appetizer made from port wine cheese spread, shaped like a turkey and adorned with nuts, pretzels, and crackers.
What kind of cheese is used for the base of the turkey?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of Port Wine Cheese Spread to create the turkey's body.
How do I shape the turkey's body?
Fill a round cereal bowl with the port wine cheese spread and place it in the center of a large decorative plate to form the body.
What is used to create the turkey's neck?
A large pretzel rod snapped in half is used for the neck, with cheese molded around the top to represent the head.
What should I do if the turkey's neck is unstable?
If the neck feels wobbly, you can use a small cracker in the back for extra support.
How do I create the textured look of feathers on the turkey's back?
Cover the throat and back area with 1/2 cup of sliced almonds, layering them in a shingle pattern.
What are the turkey's eyes made of?
Two whole cloves are used to represent the eyes of the turkey.
What ingredient is used for the turkey's beak?
A single whole cashew is used to create the beak.
How do I make the turkey's wattle?
Take a strip of pimento and cut it into a small piece to place under the neck as the wattle.
How are the large outer turkey feathers created?
Arrange large assorted crackers and remaining pretzel sticks around the sides of the cheese ball.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was adapted from a whimsical idea featured in a 1996 edition of Woman's World Magazine.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients: Port Wine Cheese Spread, pretzel sticks, crackers, almonds, pimento, cloves, and a cashew.
How much cheese is required?
The recipe requires 8 ounces of cheese spread.
What type of crackers should I use?
Use an assortment of crackers in various shapes and sizes for serving and decoration.
How do I smooth the transition between the neck and the body?
Use smaller crackers to decorate the base of the neck area to create a smooth transition to the main cheese ball.
Is there any preparation needed for the pimento?
Yes, one strip of pimento should be cut into a small piece specifically for the wattle.
Can I use different nuts instead of almonds?
While the recipe specifies sliced almonds for the textured effect, you could experiment with other sliced nuts if preferred.
How many pretzels are needed?
The recipe calls for 10 large pretzel sticks, one of which is used for the neck.
Is this recipe suitable for a holiday party?
Yes, it is designed as a festive centerpiece perfect for November gatherings and Thanksgiving parties.
Do I need a special plate for this?
A large decorative plate is recommended to accommodate the turkey and the surrounding crackers.
Can I make this ahead of time?
While you can prepare the cheese base, it is best to assemble the crackers and pretzels close to serving time so they stay crunchy.
How many cashews are in the ingredient list?
The recipe requires exactly one whole cashew.
Is this a savory or sweet appetizer?
It is a savory appetizer featuring wine-flavored cheese, nuts, and crackers.
How many cloves do I need for the eyes?
You will need exactly two whole cloves.
Is the bowl left in the finished dish?
No, the bowl is used to shape the cheese, which is then positioned in the center of the plate.
What size should the pretzel rod be for the neck?
The recipe suggests using a large pretzel rod and snapping it in half.
How do I attach the head to the neck?
Use some of the reserved cheese spread to mold around the top of the pretzel rod to form the head.
Are the almonds toasted?
The recipe does not specify to toast them; they are used raw for texture.
Can kids help make this?
Yes, assembling the turkey features like the almond feathers and cracker tail is a fun activity for children.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to gather all ingredients and have a reference picture ready for guidance during assembly.