COLORFUL
Easter is a time for celebration, family, and fun. What better way to enjoy this holiday than with a unique and scrumptious appetizer that will have everyone talking? Introducing the Easter Carrot Cheese Ball!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Super Cute: This delightful treat combines the creamy goodness of a classic cheese ball with a playful carrot shape, making it the perfect addition to your Easter spread. So, hop on over and let’s get started on this unforgettable recipe!
- Easy & Fun to Make: Easter can be a busy time, but this recipe is a breeze to whip up. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you’ll have an eye-catching and tasty appetizer ready in no time. Plus, the carrot shape is a fun and creative way to showcase your culinary skills to friends and family.
Cheese Ball Ingredients
- Cream Cheese, softened
- Ranch Seasoning
- Bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Cheddar cheese, shredded and divided (one room temp, one refrigerated)
- Fresh Parsley
*see recipe card for amounts
How to Make an Easter Carrot Cheese Ball
- Place both blocks of softened cream cheese into a large mixing bowl and add the Ranch Seasoning mix. Use a handheld mixer on low to combine the two ingredients.
- Next add the Worchestire sauce and cooked, crumbled bacon and one cup of room temperature cheese to the bowl and mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Lay out a piece of plastic wrap on a platter or the counter and use a spatula to transfer the cream cheese mixture onto it in a triangle shape/mound.
- Use a spatula to shape the cream cheese triangle into a carrot shape. Then pull up the sides of the plastic wrap to cover the carrot cheese ball. Place in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
- After an hour in the refrigerator, take the wrapped cheese ball out and carefully unwrap it and place it on the serving platter of your choice.
- Next add different lengths of parsley to the top of the carrot by pushing the parsley stems into the top of the carrot cheese ball.
- Finally, lightly sprinkle and press the cold shredded cheese all over the surface of the carrot cheese ball until fully covered.
- Serve with your favorite crackers, fruits and or veggies!
Storing Your Easter Carrot Cheese Ball
If you have any leftovers (which, let’s be honest, is unlikely given how delicious this recipe is), simply wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to five days. Make sure to keep the cheese ball away from any strong-smelling foods to prevent it from absorbing any unwanted odors.
Helpful Tips & Substitutions
Softening Cream Cheese and Shredded Cheese at Room Temp
To make sure your Easter Carrot Cheese Ball is perfectly smooth and creamy, it’s essential to use softened cream cheese. To quickly soften cream cheese, remove it from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you begin. If you’re short on time, you can also soften it in the microwave by placing the unwrapped cream cheese on a microwave-safe plate and microwaving it for 10-15 seconds. And I highly recommend letting the 1 cup of cheese you plan to mix in be at room temperature to blend into the cream cheese seamlessly.
Customizing Your Easter Carrot Cheese Ball
Feel free to get creative with this recipe! You can experiment with different seasonings, cheeses, or mix-ins to create your own unique version of the Easter Carrot Cheese Ball. Some ideas include using a different seasoning packet, like Italian dressing mix, adding diced jalapeños for a spicy kick, or using blue cheese instead of cheddar for a tangy twist. The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild!
Choosing the Perfect Pairings
The Easter Carrot Cheese Ball is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving options. You can pair it with a variety of crackers, fruits, and vegetables for a well-rounded and delicious appetizer spread. Some great options include whole-grain crackers, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, apple slices, and even pretzel sticks for a fun “dipping” experience. And hey, if you want to get extra festive, you could even serve the cheese ball with bunny-shaped crackers or veggie sticks arranged in the shape of a bunny face. Talk about an Insta-worthy appetizer!
Look for some other Fun Easter Recipes? Try these!
INGREDIENTS
- 16 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 packet Ranch Seasoning Mix
- 1 tsp Worchestire Sauce
- 6 strips Bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese, divided, one cup room temp and one cup cold
- 1 bunch Parsley, fresh
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place both blocks of softened cream cheese into a large mixing bowl and add the Ranch Seasoning mix. Use a handheld mixer on low to combine the two ingredients.
- Next add the Worchestire sauce and cooked, crumbled bacon and one cup of room temperature cheese to the bowl and mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Lay out a piece of plastic wrap on a platter or the counter and use a spatula to transfer the cream cheese mixture onto it in a triangle shape/mound.
- Use a spatula to shape the cream cheese triangle into a carrot shape. Then pull up the sides of the plastic wrap to cover the carrot cheese ball. Place in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
- After an hour in the refrigerator, take the wrapped cheese ball out and carefully unwrap it and place it on the serving platter of your choice.
- Next add different lengths of parsley to the top of the carrot by pushing the parsley stems into the top of the carrot cheese ball.
- Finally, lightly sprinkle and press the cold shredded cheese all over the surface of the carrot cheese ball until fully covered.
- Serve with your favorite crackers, fruits and or veggies!
NOTES
Storing Your Easter Carrot Cheese Ball
If you have any leftovers (which, let’s be honest, is unlikely given how delicious this recipe is), simply wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to five days. Make sure to keep the cheese ball away from any strong-smelling foods to prevent it from absorbing any unwanted odors.NUTRITION
Calories: 472kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 16gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 23gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 122mgSodium: 973mgPotassium: 221mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2196IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 354mgIron: 1mg
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