Cheese Ball Turkey
A festive appetizer shaped like a turkey, made with creamy cheeses, crunchy nuts, and tangy cranberries, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingrédients
Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese Softened for easy mixing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Sharp or mild depending on your taste
- 1 cup crumbled blue cheese Optional for a tangy kick
- 1/2 cup diced green onions For a fresh, crisp flavor
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts For crunch
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries Sweet and chewy, providing a flavor contrast
- to taste salt and pepper Enhances overall flavor
Decoration
- as needed almonds For decoration as the turkey's beak
- as needed additional cranberries For visual appeal
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all your ingredients and allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. If you’re using blue cheese, add it now.
- Stir in the diced green onions and chopped nuts into the cheese mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
- Fold in the dried cranberries gently to ensure they’re evenly distributed.
Assembly
- Shape the cheese mixture into a turkey form with a larger body and a smaller head and tail.
- Press additional chopped nuts onto the body to mimic feathers.
- For the beak, use almond slices and press them onto the head of the turkey.
- Decorate around the turkey with additional cranberries.
Chilling & Serving
- Refrigerate your Cheese Ball Turkey for at least 2 hours.
- Serve alongside your favorite crackers or sliced vegetables.
Notes
For dietary adjustments, you can use low-fat cream cheese or Greek yogurt. For nut allergies, substitute nuts with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Ensure to chill the mixture to enhance flavor and maintain shape.