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Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Ball

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  • Prep 35 min
  • Total 2 hr 35 min
  • Servings 24
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This fun and delicious cheese ball is loaded with Cheddar, bacon and green onions. Serve with warm Pillsbury™ French Bread for an inviting holiday appetizer.
By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated May 6, 2021
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Ingredients

  • 2 cans (11 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original French Bread
  • 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
  • 1/2 cup chopped cooked bacon
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 cup Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs
  • 1 large red bell pepper (for head and feathers)
  • 1 large yellow bell pepper (for feet, beak and feathers)
  • 2 large candy eyeballs
  • 3 small pretzel twists
  • 3 large pretzel twists

Steps

  • 1
    Make both cans of French bread as directed on cans. Cool completely on cooling rack. Reserve 1 teaspoon cream cheese; cover and refrigerate for later.
  • 2
    In large bowl, mix remaining cream cheese, the shredded cheese, bacon and green onions. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed 1 to 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally, until mixed well. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until mixture is firm enough to shape into ball.
  • 3
    Meanwhile, in 8-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add bread crumbs; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Spread onto large piece of waxed paper; cool completely.
  • 4
    Shape cheese mixture into large ball. Roll in toasted bread crumbs; place on serving plate. Discard any remaining crumbs.
  • 5
    Using photo as guide, decorate turkey cheese ball. Cut head and three feathers from red bell pepper. Cut 2 feet, 2 feathers and small beak from yellow bell pepper. Attach candy eyeballs and beak to head using reserved cream cheese to secure, and carefully insert head into cheese ball. Carefully insert feet and 3 rows of feathers and pretzels into cheese ball to look like a turkey. Cut each French loaf into 12 slices. Serve cheese ball immediately with sliced bread and leftover bell pepper, or loosely cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    Use large piece of plastic food wrap to help shape mixture into cheese ball.
  • tip 2
    You will need to purchase large bell peppers to cut the correct size for the head and feathers. Any leftover bell pepper can be cut into pieces and served with the cheese ball.
  • tip 3
    Candy eyeballs can usually be found in the baking aisle of the grocery store or at a craft store.

Nutrition

110 Calories, 9g Total Fat, 3g Protein, 4g Total Carbohydrate, 0g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
110
Calories from Fat
80
Total Fat
9g
14%
Saturated Fat
5g
25%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
25mg
9%
Sodium
130mg
5%
Potassium
35mg
1%
Total Carbohydrate
4g
1%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
0g
Protein
3g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
6%
6%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
6%
6%
Iron
0%
0%
Exchanges:
0 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 High-Fat Meat; 1 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
0
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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