Turkey Cheeseball

Turn a cheese ball into a festive turkey centerpiece with pretzel feathers and candy details.

Medium

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This easy turkey cheeseball combines cream cheese and cheddar with garlic and parsley, coated in walnuts. Pretzel sticks form feathers and wings, while a breadstick neck features candy eyes and a cheddar beak. Serve with crackers for a fun Thanksgiving appetizer.

Directions

Soften 1 cup cream cheese by leaving it out for an hour, or microwave for 30 seconds. In a bowl, whisk the cream cheese, then mix in 1.5 to 2 cups grated cheddar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and a handful of chopped parsley (reserve some for garnish). Stir with a spatula, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

After chilling, form the cheese mixture into a ball, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and return to the fridge for 40 minutes to firm up.

Break a thick breadstick or large pretzel stick in half for the turkey's neck. Melt a bit of white chocolate in the microwave, then spread it on the pretzel stick. Use the melted chocolate to glue on two candy eyes, a small piece of cheddar for the beak, and a red candy strip for the snood.

Roll the chilled cheese ball in 2/3 cup chopped walnuts until coated. Place it in the center of a serving plate. Insert the prepared neck into the top of the ball. Arrange 4 round pretzels as wings and feet. Then insert 16 pretzel sticks around the ball to form tail feathers.

Surround the turkey cheeseball with crackers and garnish with the remaining fresh parsley sprigs before serving.