The Turkey Cheese Ball is the ultimate festive appetizer: sweet, savory, and a little bit whimsical. Cream cheese and honey are blended with pieces of a Dutch Apron® Bakery Pumpkin Cake Roll then rolled in crunchy candied pecans and dried cranberries for the perfect mix of creamy and crunchy. Shaped and decorated to look like a turkey, it’s an adorable centerpiece that’s sure to impress guests and add a little humor to your holiday spread.
Every year, I try to bring something new to Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving. You know, something that gets people talking before the turkey even hits the table. Last year, that conversation piece came in the form of a turkey. Not the roasted kind but rather the cheese ball kind! The second I set my Turkey Cheese Ball on the table, everyone stopped what they were doing; half the room grabbed their phones for photos, and the other half grabbed crackers.
This recipe takes the best parts of a sweet and savory appetizer and dresses them up for the season. It’s made with cream cheese, a Dutch Apron® Bakery Pumpkin Cake Roll, honey, cranberries, and crunchy candied pecans all rolled together and decorated to look like an adorable little turkey. Whether you’re hosting dinner, heading to a potluck, or just want to bring a smile (and a snack) to the table, this one’s guaranteed to steal the show…maybe even upstage the main bird.
Other Thanksgiving-Inspired Recipes
Pumpkin Cake Bread Pudding
Made with soft, spiced cake pieces from a Pumpkin Cake Roll and topped with a creamy glaze, this recipe is an easy way to turn your leftovers into a delicious seasonal treat. It’s rich, custardy, and perfect for all those chilly autumn nights.
Red Velvet Cheese Ball
This recipe has all the deliciousness of red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting rolled into one ball and is served with your favorite cookies or crackers. It’s creamy and flavorful without being too rich and only requires 3 ingredients.
No-Bake Pumpkin Trifle
A no-bake Pumpkin Trifle is just as elegant as it is delicious with layers of Pumpkin Cake Roll slices, gingersnaps, whipped topping, and pumpkin mousse. It’s a simple yet stunning dessert that you can make ahead of time when you’re planning to entertain guests.
What You’ll Need
- Small glass bowl
- Parchment paper
- Stand mixer or hand mixer and bowl
- Plastic wrap
Storage Information
This Turkey Cheese Ball can be made in advanced and stored for up to 2 days in the refrigerator when covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. Before serving, set the cheese ball out to soften for about 15 minutes.
Tips for Making a Turkey Cheese Ball
- Do not over-beat the cheese ball mixture. This will result in the mixture becoming too soft which will make the ball harder to form.
- I recommend creating your Turkey Cheese Ball on the plate/platter you intend to serve it on because it is very hard to move after you make it.
- Serve your Turkey Cheese Ball alongside a variety of dipping options such as pretzels, apple slices, cookie wafers, graham crackers, etc.
How to Make a Turkey Cheese Ball
Turkey Cheese Ball
Course: AppetizersCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy7
servings672
kcal12
The Turkey Cheese Ball is the ultimate festive appetizer: sweet, savory, and a little bit whimsical. Cream cheese and honey are blended with pieces of a Dutch Apron® Bakery Pumpkin Cake Roll then rolled in crunchy candied pecans and dried cranberries for the perfect mix of creamy and crunchy. Shaped and decorated to look like a turkey, it’s an adorable centerpiece that’s sure to impress guests and add a little humor to your holiday spread.
Ingredients
- Candied Pecans
3 tbsp. light brown sugar
2 tbsp. salted butter
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 c. pecans, chopped
- Cheese Ball:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 Dutch Apron® Bakery Pumpkin Cake Roll
2 tbsp. honey
1/2 c. dried cranberries
- Decoration:
14 pretzel sticks
1 piece of candy corn
2 candy eyes
2 large pecans
1/2 c. mini chocolate chips
Directions
- Make the Candied Pecans
- In a small, glass bowl, melt the butter in the microwave.
- Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon. Then, microwave for another 30 seconds.
- Add pecans to the mixture and stir until they are fully coated.
- Microwave for 2 additional minutes, stirring after every minute.
- Spread the pecans on parchment paper to cool completely.
- Prepare the Cheese Ball
- In a stand mixer (or in a bowl with a hand mixer), beat the cream cheese and honey together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Cut the Pumpkin Cake Roll into slices and add them to the mixer one slice at a time, mixing between each one.
- Mix until the cake roll pieces are fully incorporated and the mixture has a cake pop-like texture.
- Fold in the dried cranberries for a little sweetness and color.
- Shape and Chill
- Shape the mixture into a ball with your hands. For easier handling, I recommend wrapping it in plastic wrap first.
- Roll the cheese ball in the candied pecans, gently pressing them in until they cover the whole surface of your cheese ball.
- Add mini chocolate chips and extra cranberries as desired for taste & decoration.
- Cover and refrigerate until you’re almost ready to serve.
- Decorate Your Turkey
- Right before serving, press pretzel sticks into the back of the cheese ball to form the tail feathers.
- Use a piece of candy corn to make the beak, candy eyes for the face, and two large pecans for the “wattle”.
- Add a few extra chocolate chips or nuts around the base of the cheese ball for garnish.
Turkey Cheese Ball Recipe Video
Notes
- Storage Instructions: This Turkey Cheese Ball can be made in advanced and stored for up to 2 days in the refrigerator when covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. Before serving, set the cheese ball out to soften for about 15 minutes.
- Special Tools: Small glass bowl, parchment paper, stand mixer or hand mixer and bowl, & plastic wrap.
- Cheese Ball Mixture: Do not over-beat the cheese ball mixture. This will result in the mixture becoming too soft which will make the ball harder to form.
- Serving Your Cheese Ball: Create your Turkey Cheese Ball on the plate/platter you intend to serve it on because it is very hard to move once it has been made.
About the Author:
Brand Wind is a graphic designer at Dutch Apron® Bakery where he creates a wide variety of materials pertaining to a variety of delicious desserts; his portfolio includes social media promotions, motion graphics, and, occasionally, lending an (actual) hand to make sure each recipe turns out just right. Brandon lives in Iowa with his wife and three children and enjoys creating his own comic books, playing guitar with his band, and going on whatever adventure his wife has planned for the weekend. He strives to be a constant reminder to his kids that, no matter how old you get, you can still be young at heart!
