This deliciously creamy and savory Easter carrot cheese ball makes for an eye-catching addition to your snack table! With just a handful of ingredients, you’ll be able to create a carrot shaped dip that’s full of bold flavors and crunchy bits. Great to serve on any occasion but especially perfect for Easter gatherings!
Can you believe how fast time flies? It didn’t seem long ago that we were cooking up Christmas dishes and desserts. Now, we’re leaving all those behind to focus on another holiday that’s a big hit for families everywhere – Easter!
From designing festive charcuterie boards to making cute Easter egg designs, there are many amazing ways to make the holiday fun and exciting. And, since it’s an opportune time for family and friends to get together, why not add some extra charm to the occasion? That’s where this carrot cheese ball comes in!
Shaped like a big, orange carrot covered in loads of cheese, this carrot cheese ball is guaranteed to add a cute and festive touch to any gathering. Plus, it’s so easy to put together at home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients Needed For Easter Carrot Cheese Ball
- 2 8 oz packages of cream cheese, softened
- 1 oz ranch seasoning mix
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- ½ cup bacon bits
- Curly parsley, for carrot greens
Step-by-Step Instructions With Pictures
1. In a large mixing bowl, place the softened cream cheese and ranch seasoning mix.
2. Add 1 cup of cheese and the bacon pieces, then mix well.
3. Chill the mixture for 30 minutes.
4. Take the mixture from the fridge, then shape it into a carrot.
5. Cover the cheese ball with the remaining cup of cheese.
6. Arrange the bunch of parsley like a carrot top with a stem on a serving platter or tray.
7. Set the carrot-shaped cheeseball on top of the parsley.
8. Serve with various bite-sized veggies (like celery, carrot slices, cucumber slices, tomatoes, and broccoli florets) and crackers on the side. Enjoy!
Serving This Easter Appetizer
This cheese ball pairs wonderfully well with the following dippers or dishes:
- Bread On The Side: Include some toasted baguette slices, bagel bits, pretzel bites, or breadsticks on the side when serving this cheese ball.
- Fruity Twist: Serve the dip with apple slices, pears, strawberries, or grapes.
- More Chips, More Fun: Pair the dip with either tortilla or pita chips.
- Egg-citing Combo: Serve the cheese ball with Cajun deviled eggs for a flavorful combination.
- Twice The Carrot: A delicious carrot cake cheesecake makes for a perfect orange duo with a carrot cheese ball!
Changing Up Your Easter Cheese Ball
Looking to boost the flavors of this dip? Try any of these suggestions:
- Spicy Dip: Add cayenne pepper, diced jalapenos, hot sauce, or smoked paprika to give the dip some heat. Adjust the amount according to preference.
- Herby and Garlicky: Stir some minced garlic and Italian seasoning into the dip.
- Nutty Cheese: Instead of coating the cheese ball in cheese, cover it in chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Sweetly Yours: Mix in some honey to add a slight sweetness to the cheese mixture.
- Double The Fun: Increase the amount of bacon you add to give the dish extra chewiness and a smokier flavor.
Pro Tips When Making Carrot Shaped Cheese Ball
- Make It Easy: Make sure that the cream cheese you use is at room temperature before starting the recipe, making it easier to work with.
- Fresh Goes Better: As much as possible, use freshly shredded cheddar cheese instead of pre-packaged ones for better texture and flavor.
- Balance the Flavors: If the dip tastes too rich, consider adding a splash of lemon juice or Worcestershire sauce to balance it out.
- Take Your Time: If possible, keep the cheese mixture in the fridge for longer than 30 minutes, even overnight. This would help the flavors meld well together and make it easier for you to form a carrot shape.
- Get Creative: You can mold the carrot cheeseball into other shapes depending on the occasion! Create a bunny, an Easter egg, a pumpkin for Halloween, a stocking for Christmas, etc.
Storage
Store: Wrap the carrot cheese ball in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent air exposure, then keep it in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can wrap the cheese ball in either cheese paper or parchment paper to help preserve its quality. It’ll be good to consume for up to 5 days.
Freeze: You can also keep the cheese ball in the freezer for up to a month. The same way cover it with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and freeze for up to 4 weeks. Make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight first before serving.
Note: Check for any signs of spoilage, such as mold or an off-smell, before serving. Discard immediately if you notice them on the cheese ball.
One More Thing
Celebrating Easter is a lot cuter by creating this carrot cheese ball! It’s full of cheesy, savory goodness that complements many dippers like vegetables, crackers, and even fruits.
The recipe is simple, and you can even tweak it to suit your tastes. Make it spicy, garlicky, or sweet – the choice is yours.
Plus, Easter’s not the only occasion it’s perfect for! Feel free to make the cheese ball into any shape, depending on the theme or holiday!
One thing’s for sure – your snack table will be a whole lot more impressive with this carrot cheese ball!
Your Turn
If you make this carrot cheese ball, please take a moment to let me know how you liked it by leaving a rating and a comment below on the recipe card. Follow me on Pinterest and Facebook for more easy and tasty recipes!
More Recipes To Try This Easter
The Cutest Easter Appetizer Ever? Try This Carrot Cheese Ball!
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Spatula
- serving tray or platter
Ingredients
- 2 8 oz packages of cream cheese softened
- 1 oz ranch seasoning mix
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese finely shredded
- ½ cup bacon bits
- curly parsley for carrot greens
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, place the softened cream cheese and ranch seasoning mix.2 8 oz packages of cream cheese, 1 oz ranch seasoning mix
- Add 1 cup of cheese and the bacon bits, then mix well.2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, ½ cup bacon bits
- Chill the mixture for 30 minutes.
- Take the mixture out of the fridge, then shape it into a carrot.
- Cover the cheese ball with the remaining cup of cheese.
- Arrange the bunch of parsley like a carrot top with a stem on a serving platter or tray.curly parsley
- Set the carrot-shaped cheeseball on top of the parsley.
- Serve with various bite-sized veggies (like celery, carrot slices, cucumber slices, tomatoes, and broccoli florets) and crackers on the side. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make It Easy: Make sure that the cream cheese you use is at room temperature before starting the recipe, as this makes it easier to work with.
- Fresh Goes Better: As much as possible, use freshly shredded cheddar cheese instead of pre-packaged ones for better texture and flavor.
- Balance the Flavors: If the dip tastes too rich, consider adding a splash of lemon juice or Worcestershire sauce to balance it out.
- Take Your Time: If possible, keep the cheese mixture in the fridge for longer than 30 minutes, even overnight. This would help the flavors meld well together and make it easier for you to form a carrot shape.
- Get Creative: You can mold the carrot cheeseball into other shapes depending on the occasion! Create a bunny, an Easter egg, a pumpkin for Halloween, a stocking for Christmas, etc.
Nutrition
Tamara Tsaturyan is the owner and writer of Thriving In Parenting, a website focused on providing simple tips for busy parents — easy and healthy recipes, home decor and organization ideas and all things P A R E N T I N G.
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