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Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Ball with Pretzel Feathers

This Thanksgiving turkey cheese ball is shaped by hand, coated in finely chopped pecans, and decorated with pretzel-stick feathers. Chill it until firm, then add the turkey’s eyes, beak, and wattle just before serving.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
chilling 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 190
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cheese ball
  • 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese softened
  • 2 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 0.25 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tbsp green onions finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup pecans finely chopped
For the decorations
  • 18 pretzel sticks
  • 2 black olives small, halved
  • 1 carrot slice, cut into a small triangle
  • 1 red bell pepper thin strip

Equipment

  • 1 serving platter

Method
 

Make the cheese ball
  1. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, cheddar, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and green onions until evenly combined.
  2. Cover the mixture and refrigerate for 30 to 45 minutes, until firm enough to shape.
  3. Scoop out 1/3 cup of the mixture and shape it into a ball for the turkey's head.
  4. Shape the remaining mixture into a 6-inch-long oval for the body.
  5. Press the pecans over the body to coat it.
  6. Set the body on a serving platter and press the head against its front edge.
  7. Refrigerate the assembled cheese ball for 45 to 60 minutes to firm.
Decorate and serve
  1. Just before serving, insert the pretzel sticks into the back of the body in a fan shape.
  2. Press the olive halves into the head for eyes.
  3. Add the carrot triangle for the beak.
  4. Position the red pepper strip beside the beak as the wattle.

Notes

For neat shaping, chill the mixture until it is firm enough to handle. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freezing is not recommended. For a nut-free option, leave off the pecan coating.