Easter Carrot Cheese Ball
This Easter Carrot Cheese Ball is more than just super cute. It’s super DELICIOUS! And when you need a quick and easy holiday-themed food to take to your party, this one will save you every time.
Because it’s EASY. And I mean, really, really easy. You CANNOT fail at this one.
It’s a simple blend of comment ingredients: cheese, cream cheese, bacon, ranch seasoning, and some spices. Then, you shape the mixture into a carrot and top it with more shredded cheese. Add some crackers and veggies for dipping, and Voila! You’re done!
What is a Cheese Ball?
A cheese ball is simply, a ball of cheese. It’s usually a mixture of soft cheese (like cream cheese or goat cheese), shredded cheese like cheddar or mozzarella, and seasonings. Sometimes they include green onions, bacon, or other additives. The mixture is usually shaped into a ball and served alongside things to spread the dip on, like bread, crackers, and veggies.
What Can I Serve With This Cheeseball?
You can definitely keep it simple and serve this carrot cheese ball with crackers and cucumbers. But there are plenty of things that will taste great with a spread of this cheese. Try any of these:
- Crackers: Choose crackers that are sturdy enough to hold up to the weight of the cheeseball, such as water crackers, wheat thins, or butter crackers.
- Bread: Sliced baguettes or crusty bread are great options for serving with a cheeseball. You can also serve melba toast or crostini for crunch and texture.
- Vegetables: Sliced veggies like carrots, celery, and bell peppers can provide a fresh and healthy option for a savory cheeseball. You can also try cherry tomatoes, radishes, and snap peas.
- Fruit: While not everyone will enjoy fruit with cheese, grapes, apple slices, pear slices, and dried apricots can all be enjoyed, and will look pretty on your platter.
- Charcuterie: If you want to create a more substantial spread, you can serve the cheeseball with a selection of cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, or ham, other hard cheeses, fruit, crackers, and nuts.
Recommended
Crab Margarita Appetizer
Roasted Red Pepper, Mozzarella, and Avocado Appetizer Recipe
Mini Caprese Appetizers
Tips and Recipe Notes (Should NOT be ingredient substitutions)
- I recommend using full-fat cream cheese as it will shape well and taste great!
- Let the cream cheese sit on the counter for about an hour before you make the cheese ball. Room-temperature ingredients always come together easier than cold ones.
- Cut your bacon into small pieces to make the cheeseball easier for spreading later.
- Chill the cheeseball until you’re ready to serve, then remove it from the fridge about an hour before your party. It’s hard to spread if it’s too cold.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cream cheese – Substitute goat cheese, mascarpone, creamy feta, or fromage blanc.
- Ranch seasoning – Substitute Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, Creole seasoning, or make a homemade Ranch seasoning mix.
- Cheddar – You can use any shredded cheese you want! Mozzarella, Colby jack, and Mexican blend all taste great!
- Add in some sriracha for a bit of hot sauce flavor if that’s your thing.
How Do I Store a Cheeseball?
I recommend you keep the cheeseball in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. After serving, I kinda recommend you toss the cheeseball leftovers away since so many people will have dipped in it and enjoyed it, plus, it will have been sitting out for a while.
If you really, really want to save your leftovers, wrap them in plastic wrap or place them in a container with a lid and store in the fridge. Eat within 2 days.
Can I Freeze Recipe?
Yes! You can freeze your cheese mixture to make this recipe ahead. I recommend shaping the cheeseball into a carrot, then wrapping firmly with plastic wrap. Place the whole thing in a Ziploc and freeze. Pull it out of the freezer about 6 hours before you want to serve it. Allow it to thaw in the fridge, then add your cheese, and serve!
More Easter Recipes You’ll Like
Need to make Easter eggs with the kids? I’ve got you covered. Try any of these:
Hard Boiled Eggs in the Air Fryer
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
Tissue Paper Easter Eggs
Kool Aid Dyed Eggs
Glitter Easter Eggs
Easter Carrot Cheese Ball
This Easter Carrot Cheese Ball is more than just super cute. It's super DELICIOUS! And when you need a quick and easy holiday-themed food to take to your party, this one will save you every time.
Ingredients
- 2 cups finely shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 16 oz. (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
- 2.5 oz package real bacon pieces (6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled can also be used)
- 1 package ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bunch of cilantro or parsley, for carrot top
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix cream cheese and ranch seasoning until evenly distributed.
- Add 1 cup of cheddar cheese, bacon, and Worcestershire sauce to the mixture. Stir until combined.
- Place the cheese ball mixture on plastic wrap and form into the shape of a carrot.
- Transfer the carrot-shaped cheese ball to a serving plate or cutting board.
- Use the remaining cup of cheddar cheese to cover the cheese ball, pressing gently to make sure it sticks.
- Place cilantro or parsley stems into the top of the carrot cheese ball.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the cheese ball firm up. Serve with crackers, veggies or your favorite dippers.