While turkey might be the main attraction at the dinner table during Thanksgiving, every celebration needs delicious appetizers to get us started!

By Lily McDonald

With Thanksgiving coming up fast, here at Baked we are all ready to prepare you for a successful event filled with scrumptious food. Whether you are hosting or a guest on the big day, these delectable appetizers will have everyone obsessed with your skills. Nothing can get you more in the mood for giving thanks than these festive treats:

Bacon Chive Cheese Ball

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of bacon
• 8 oz block of soften cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Kosher salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• ⅓ cup chopped chives
• ⅓ cup finely chopped pecans
• ⅓ cup pretzel sticks

Directions:

1. In a large nonstick skillet, cook bacon until crispy, or for about 8 minutes. Then drain on a paper towel-lined plate and finely chop. 

2. In a large bowl, stir together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and paprika and season with salt and pepper. 

3. Form the mixture into one big ball for the body of the turkey and also into one small ball for the head. Refrigerate for 1 hour. 

4. In a shallow bowl, stir together bacon, chives, and pecans. 

5. Roll the two balls in the bacon-chive-pecan mixture and then insert pretzel sticks into the body to represent feathers!  You can also use small pieces of bacon for the eyes and beak. 

We guarantee that if you make this treat for Thanksgiving, everyone will be left asking for more!

Veggie Turkey 

Ingredients (amounts may vary depending on your desire):

• Celery
• 3 baby carrots
• Peppers
• 1 cucumber
• 1 tomato

Directions:

1. Put the celery down first, then the peppers, followed by the carrots, and finally the cucumbers. 
2. Cut the celery and peppers into strips so they are easier to rearrange into the shape of a turkey’s feathers. 
3. Take two baby carrots and slice slits into the bottom to represent the feet. Then cut the top of another carrot for a beak. 
4. For the head, use a piece of tomato; place the beak on top, and then situate in the dip.
5. Finally, add the two baby carrots to the dip to complete your masterpiece. 
6. Serve this with your favorite dip in a bowl at the center of the display to resemble a body.

Nothing is more delightful than a tasty snack that is also cute and festive!

Thanksgiving Fruit Tray

 There’s no better way to start off your Thanksgiving celebration than with an adorable fruit tray! 

Ingredients:

• 1 pear, orange, and apple
• 45 seedless grades
• 8 blueberries
• 2 bananas
• 2 kiwis
• Small piece of a red bell pepper

Directions: 

1. Cut the pear lengthwise in half. One half will be the bird’s body; cut the other half into small cubes. 
2. Cut the orange and apple into small cubes. 
3. Slice the bananas and kiwis. Place the pear half on a big round serving tray. 
4. Arrange the fruit pieces around the pear so that it resembles a turkey’s feathers. 
5. Cut two small round balls out of a pear or apple for the eyes. 
6. Cut two small holes with a pointed knife in the upper part of the pear and place the eyes in the holes. 
7. Cut the legs out of a piece of a red bell pepper and place them under the pear. Feel free to add any fruits you want; it is all up to you! 

This is perfect to pass around before sitting down to eat your Thanksgiving feast!

Caramel Apple Turkey
For those with a little bit of a sweet tooth, this appetizer will satisfy any cravings without leaving you too full!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of sugar
• 4 tbsp of water
• 2 tbsp of light corn syrup
• ½ cup of heavy cream
• 2 tbsp of butter
• 4 apples

Directions: 

1. Combine the sugar, water, and corn syrup in a large saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. 
2. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Do not stir from this point on, but instead swirl the liquid around the pan so that the caramel doesn’t burn. 
3. Continue to cook until the caramel turns an amber color, then remove from the heat and let stand for about 30 seconds. 
4. Pour the heavy cream into the mixture. Stir the mixture with a spatula, scraping the sides of the pot and combining all the ingredients. 
5. Add the butter and stir until combined. Pour this into your desired bowl and place it on a tray. 
6. Cut up your apples and rearrange them into the shape of a turkey’s feathers around the caramel. You can even include chocolate chips for the eyes and a piece of candy corn for the beak. 

This delectable treat is an enjoyable way to kick off your Thanksgiving celebration!

Turkey Cheese Tray
One of the most popular foods to include in an appetizer is, of course, cheese!

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. Ritz crackers
• 3 oz. Swiss cheese slices
• 5 oz. cheddar cheese slides 
•  4 oz. salami slices
• 2 chocolate chips 

Directions: 

1. Cut out the turkey head, body, and feet from the cheddar cheese slice and arrange on the bottom of a tray. 

2. Add the chocolate chips for the eyes. 

3. Make a small triangle out of Swiss cheese for the turkey’s beak and attach it to the turkey’s head. If your cheese slices are large, cut them into quarters. 

4. Arrange the salami slices around the turkey’s head and body. The salami slices should partially go under the turkey and overlap each other. 

5. Arrange the Swiss cheese slices in an overlapping manner around the turkey, and have them partially go under the salami slices. Repeat this process for however large you want your display to be. 

6. Then, arrange the Ritz crackers around the cheddar cheese slices, putting them partially under the cheddar cheese. 

7. Arrange the second, overlapping layer of Ritz crackers around the turkey. As this is your creation, you can substitute any type of cheese or meat you desire!

Your turkey cheese tray will be the hit of any gathering this fall!

Whichever appetizer you choose to make, we can assure you that it will be the star of Thanksgiving day! Not only is this collection of goodies mouthwatering, they are also fun to make with your family or friends before any celebration. You can even have competitions of who can make the best turkey-shaped treat! These starters are guaranteed to raise your Thanksgiving spirits and prepare you for a memorable event with your loved ones.