If you're looking for an adorable treat to make or bring for Thanksgiving this year, this Dessert Turkey Cheese Ball is so fun and festive. Shaped like a cute turkey, this easy-to-make dip is formed into a ball of creamy cheese and then decorated with pretzels and candies to create feathers and a face. It is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving or any holiday potluck! Make this the centerpiece of your dessert table! This dessert is such to be a hit with the kids and the adults. Plus, it is one of those desserts that looks a lot more fancy than it is. I promise it's super easy to make! If you are looking for other Thanksgiving recipes, make sure to also try my sweet potato cups, sweet potato casserole and fall salad with apple!
Why You'll Love This Dessert
This dessert turkey cheese ball is so fun to make!
It's super festive for the holidays!
This is the perfect dessert to bring to Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving!
It is super kid-friendly!
This dessert is also allergy-friendly and can be made gluten free, dairy free and nut free.
You can get really creative with it!
Who doesn't love a cute dessert?!
Equipment Needed
All you need to make this dessert turkey cheese ball is a bowl, mixing spoon, measuring cups and spoons, parchment paper and a serving plate.
Ingredients Needed
Cream Cheese: I used dairy free cream cheese in this recipe because I am dairy free. Feel free to use whatever cream cheese works best for you!
Sugar: I used coconut sugar in this recipe because it has a lower glycemic index. Regular sugar works here too!
Nut Butter or Sunflower Butter: I used Sunbutter in this recipe because it is super allergy-friendly. You can also use nut butter.
Mini Chocolate Chips: Mini chocolate chips are used in both the batter of this recipe and to cover the turkey.
Pretzels: I used gluten free pretzels for this dessert because I am gluten free. Pretzels are used in this recipe to make the feathers.
Candies: The candies I used in this recipe are Yum Earth Giggles. I like them because they are allergy-friendly and dye-free. Plus, they use better ingredients.
Cookies (for serving): Serve this dessert turkey with your favorite cookies!
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Gather your ingredients.
Step 2: Combine cream cheese sugar, sunflower butter and 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips in a bowl. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Pour the mixture onto a serving plate and use a piece of parchment paper to form it into a ball. Place back in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 4: Add candies, chocolate chips and pretzels onto the cheese ball to make a turkey face and body.
Step 5: Pair with cookies for dipping and enjoy!
Storage
Store this dessert turkey cheese ball in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you are looking to make this ahead of time I would recommend making the mixture ahead of time and then decorating the ball right before serving.
Variations
Sunflower or Nut Butter: I used sunflower seed butter, but any kind of nut butter would be delicious in this recipe. Try using cashew butter, almond butter or pecan butter!
Candies: I used colored candies in this recipe, but you can use any candies you like! Get creative!
Sugar: I used coconut sugar for this dessert turkey cheese ball, but regular sugar works as well!
How to Serve
Serve this dessert turkey cheese ball with cookies or pretzels! This dessert is so cute that it will be the hit of the dessert table. It also doubles as a very cute centerpiece!
Recipe FAQ
Can you freeze this cheese ball?
Yes, this cheese ball can be frozen when it is undecorated.
Is this recipe gluten free?
This recipe is gluten free if you make sure to use all gluten free ingredients!
Is this recipe dairy free?
This recipe is dairy free if you use dairy free cream cheese, chocolate chips and ensure that all other ingredients are dairy free.
Can you make this turkey cheese ball ahead of time?
If you are looking to make this dessert ahead of time, I would recommend making the ball first and then decorating it before the party or gathering for the best presentation.
What goes well with this cheese ball?
I served my cheese ball with cookies, but pretzels would also go well!
Related Recipes
Try these cute recipes next:
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys
If you make this dessert turkey cheese ball and love it, I would really appreciate a 5 star review! I also love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram or TikTok.
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Dessert Turkey Cheese Ball
Equipment
- 1 bowl
- 1 mixing spoon
- measuring cups and spoons
- 1 serving plate
Ingredients
- 14 oz cream cheese (dairy free if needed)
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup sunflower butter
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips (dairy free if needed)
- 1/4 cup pretzels (gluten free if needed)
- 1/2 cup colored candies
- 1 box cookies (for serving)
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Combine cream cheese sugar, sunflower butter and 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips in a bowl. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Pour the mixture onto a serving plate and use a piece of parchment paper to form it into a ball. Place back in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Add candies, chocolate chips and pretzels onto the cheese ball to make a turkey face and body.
- Pair with cookies for dipping and enjoy!
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