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Turkey-Shaped Cheese Ball

Turkey-shaped cheese ball is a creamy cheddar appetizer chilled until firm and decorated with crackers, pretzels, and colorful details. Shape it into an oval, then arrange the crackers in a fan for a festive centerpiece.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cheese ball
  • 2 block (8 oz) cream cheese softened
  • 2 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 scallions finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
For the decorations
  • 12 crackers sturdy, round
  • 2 pretzel sticks
  • 1 carrot small slice, cut into a triangle
  • 1 red bell pepper small strip
  • 2 black olives slices

Method
 

Make the cheese ball
  1. In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, cheddar, scallions, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper until evenly combined.
Shape and chill
  1. Mound the mixture on plastic wrap and shape it into an oval about 6 inches long.
  2. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until firm.
Decorate the turkey
  1. Unwrap the cheese ball onto a serving platter.
  2. Press the crackers into one short end in a fan shape.
  3. Press the pretzel sticks into the lower front for legs.
  4. Place the olive slices as eyes.
  5. Place the carrot triangle as a beak.
  6. Place the bell pepper strip below it as a wattle.

Notes

For neat slices, make sure the cheese ball is firm before decorating. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezing is possible; freeze the undecorated cheese ball and add the decorations after thawing. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free crackers and pretzels.