This Easy Cheese Ball Recipe is the perfect Easter appetizer.
It’s a homemade bacon ranch flavored cheeseball that is shaped like a carrot and covered in shredded cheese.
Perfectly dippable for fresh crisp veggies, crackers, and more.
These ham and cheese pinwheels would compliment the cheese ball for another appetizer option.
Or if you want an Easter dessert consider these bird nest cupcakes, they are so cute and delicious down to the last crumbs.
This Cheese Ball Recipe Is..
- Shaped like a carrot for Easter.
- Delicious homemade cheese ball.
- Easy to change up the flavor of cheese ball.
- Made with fresh ingredients.
- Budget friendly appetizer.
Cheese Ball Ingredients
- Cheese
- Cream Cheese
- Bacon
- Ranch Seasoning
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Fresh Cilantro or Parsley
If you don’t have any Ranch Seasoning on hand, you can use this Homemade Ranch Seasoning in this easy cheeseball recipe instead.
How to Make a Cheese Ball
The full measurements for the ingredients are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
This is just a quick visual walk through on how to make this cheese ball appetizer.
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, evenly mix the cream cheese and ranch seasoning.
Step 2: Add bacon, Worcestershire sauce, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese to the mixture.
Stir until all ingredients are combined.
Step 3: Take the cheese ball mixture and place it on a sheet of plastic wrap, forming it into the shape you want.
For a traditional cheese ball, just shape mold it into a simple ball shape.
Otherwise you can form it into the shape of a carrot to make a fun Easter appetizer.
Step 4: Transfer the carrot-shaped cheese ball onto a serving plate or cutting board.
Step 5: Cover the cheese ball with the remaining cup of cheddar cheese, pressing down gently to ensure that it sticks.
Step 6: Insert cilantro or parsley stems into the top of the cheese ball to resemble the carrot’s green leaves.
Step 7: Refrigerate the cheese ball for 30 minutes to allow it to firm up.
Serve with crackers, veggies, or your preferred dippers.
What to Serve As Dippers
Not sure what to serve with this carrot shaped cheeseball? Let me share some items to dip into the ball.
- Crisp veggies – celery sticks, carrots, cucumbers, etc.
- Pretzels
- Crackers
- Spread on slices of bagel or harder bread
- Etc.
Yes, you do want your cheeseball to set up before you roll in cheese. Otherwise it is not going to hold the carrot shape that well. I like to use plastic wrap for wrapping the cheese mixture.
Yes, you want your cream cheese to be softened before you go and mix it with the other ingredients for making a cheese ball. The reason is you need the cream cheese to mix well with the other ingredients to evenly incorporate the ingredients. Otherwise, you will find the flavor will not be mixed well.
To soften cream cheese faster you are going to want to soften more. Grab a bowl of warm not hot water and place the cream cheese in the foil wrapper in the water for five minutes. Let it sit and then check the texture. If it still feels a bit too firm repeat the process one more time to soften the cream cheese more with a new bowl of warm water.
Variations to Recipe
Flavor– You can change up the flavor of the cheeseball if you want. Use a mix of different spices if you do not want a ranch flavored cheese ball.
Bacon – Skip the bacon if you do not want meat in the cheese ball. Or if you do want a switch you can dice up ham really small to replace.
Cheese – Any orange colored cheese works to coat the cheese ball in. It is going to mimic the look of a carrot.
Shape – If you don’t want to make it into a shape of a carrot, you can easily make it in a round ball. Just skip the parsley or cilantro topping as you won’t need it to for the top of the carrot design.
Make Ahead Options
With cheese balls they are a wonderful make ahead appetizer.
Feel free to whip up your cheeseball up to 24 hours in advance.
Keep the cheeseball stored in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap.
If you want wait to roll cheeseball in shredded cheese right before serving, and don’t put in the cilantro/parsley till right before.
Or you can roll in cheese ahead of time and have it ready on a platter.
How to Store Leftovers
Any leftover cheese ball can be stored in the fridge in a proper airtight container for up to 4-5 days. Just discard the greenery on top and then store the cheese ball sealed.
Due to the ingredients you will find this recipe does not freeze and thaw properly.
More Appetizer Recipes
If you like this homemade appetizer recipe, you’ll love these ones too:
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites – It seems like everyone that I know loves bacon. So it only makes sense that they would also love just about anything wrapped in bacon, right?!
- Cheese Fonduta – I mean what’s not to love about some hot, ooey-gooey cheese dip.
- Cheesy Bacon Ranch Stuffed Peppers – Whip up this quick and easy appetizer that you can make in about ten minutes.
- Bacon Cheese Ball Bites – What I love about this delicious appetizer is that it’s mouth-sized and it fits so perfectly on top of a cracker.
- Mozzarella Cheese Sticks – These cheese sticks are much healthier than the traditional recipes that require cooking them in a pan filled with oil, because you are cooking them in the Air Fryer instead.
- Ham and Cheese Pinwheels – These are the perfect way to use up any leftover ham you might have after a holiday, which makes it perfect for after Easter.
- Cheesy Chicken Ranch Dip –
Cheese Ball Recipe
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 16 oz. 2 packages cream cheese, softened and 1 package ranch seasoning mix until evenly distributed.
- Add 1 cup of finely shredded cheddar cheese, 2.5 oz package real bacon pieces, and 1 tablespoon 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 1 bunch of 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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated with ingredients and serving size and may not be accurate. Please always double check with your own nutritional apps as well.
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