Easter Carrot Cheeseball

This Carrot Cheeseball is a deliciously creamy cheese ball that is shaped like a carrot with shredded cheddar cheese and curly parsley. A carrot cheese ball is a fun and festive Easter appetizer served alongside an assortment of crackers and veggies sticks. 

Check out my other delicious carrot recipes like these Sheet Pan Carrot Cake Bars and this amazing layered Carrot Cake. 

A Cheeseball Shaped Like a Carrot (Creative Easter Appetizer)

This Easter carrot cheeseball is a fun twist to a Classic Cheeseball but coated with shredded cheddar cheese and curly parsley to make it look like a carrot. 

Cute enough for an Easter party, gathering, or appetizer before dinner or you can make it year round by simply leaving off the parsley on top and instead shaping the cheese ball in a round shape. 

Ingredients Needed To Make It

• Cream Cheese - I highly recommend using full-fat name brand cream cheese. I love the Philadelphia brand because it tastes so much better and has a creamier & thicker texture to it. Of course, store brand cream cheese or even reduced-fat cream cheese can be used, but for best taste and texture use full-fat along with the name brand. 
• Finely Shredded Cheddar Cheese - Shred cheese from a block of cheddar cheese. It makes a huge different in the look and taste of the cheese. Also, be sure to shred it using the fine side of the cheese grater. 
• Sliced Green Onion - You need ½ cup of sliced green onion which is equal to about 3 green onions (not 3 bunches of onion but rather 3 pieces of green onion from a bunch). 
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Everything Bagel Seasoning
• Bacon Bits or Crumbles - This is the already cooked and crumbled bacon bits that you find at the store in small bags. Usually near the salad dressings. 
• Fresh Curly Parsley - This is what makes the green leafy stem for the 'carrot'. 

Step-by-Step Instructions For How To Make a Carrot Cheeseball

• Cream Cheese + Cheese : In a mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese and finely shredded cheddar cheese. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir it together. This will take a few minutes but be patient and it will eventually mix together nicely. 
• Cheeseball Ingredients : Add the green onions, Worcestershire sauce, everything bagel seasoning, and bacon crumbles into the cream cheese mixture. Stir together until well combined. 
• Carrot Cheeseball Shape : Lay a piece of plastic wrap onto the counter. Drop the cream cheese mixture onto the plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to help shape the cheeseball into a carrot shape (wide at the top, narrow at the bottom). Roll the carrot shaped cheese ball up in the plastic wrap and let it refrigerate for at least 1 hour. 
• Decorate : When ready to serve, take it out of the fridge and place the carrot cheeseball onto a serving platter. Use about 10-12 parsley stems, with the curly leafy greens at the end, and stick them into the wide end to form the carrot. Gently press the remaining shredded cheese around the top and side of the cheese ball, making sure to cover all the exposed cream cheese. 
• Serve : Lay an assortment of crackers and veggies sticks around it and serve. 

Cheeseball Recipe FAQ's

• Can I Make It Ahead of Time?

  • Yes! I think cheeseballs taste better the longer they've been in the fridge. The chill time allows the flavors to blend and helps the cheeseball set. This recipes calls for a minimum of 1 hour fridge time before serving but you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours in advance. 
  • I prefer making this cheeseball the day before and letting it chill out in the fridge overnight and into the next day. Remove the cheeseball from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving it and coat the exterior in the cheese and parsley. 

• Serving Suggestions For a Cheeseball

  • There are lots of ways to serve this carrot shaped cheeseball. Here are some of our favorites and other suggestions. 
  • Make sure to serve it chilled. A cheeseball should not be out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. It will soften the longer it sits out. 
    • Crackers : Make sure to get a few varieties of crackers or an assorted pack. My family likes Triscuits, Carr's table crackers, Club crackers. Ritz crackers are another tasty option, Wheat Thins, Gluten-free cracker variety, etc. The sky is the limit. 
    • Veggies Sticks : This cheeseball is really good with some carrot sticks, celery sticks, or bell pepper sticks. Cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, black olives are other great options too. 
    • Baguette Bread : Serve with some sliced bread like baguette bread or crusty artisan bread. 

• How To Store Leftovers

  • Store leftovers inside the fridge, covered well or inside an airtight container, for up to 3-4 days. 

• Substitution & Variation Ideas

  • There are a few ways to change up this recipe if wanted. Here are some ideas and suggestions. 
    • Cheese - For that orange carrot look stick with a cheddar cheese. You can use mild cheddar, medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, or even extra sharp cheddar cheese. I prefer a medium or sharp cheddar cheese so that's what I use. 
    • Bacon - It's easiest to use some already crumbled bacon like bacon bits but you can certainly substitute with freshly cooked bacon crumbles as well. 
    • Make It Spicy! - Feel free to add some cayenne red pepper or chili powder into the cheeseball mixture. The everything bagel seasoning has tons of flavor so I never do this, but it's an option if wanted. 
    • Non-Carrot Shaped Cheeseball - Make this anytime! Simply shape the cheeseball into a round circle and then cover it with any variety of cheese you prefer. Leave off the curly parsley leaves. 

Recipe Tips

Here are a few of my helpful tips so that you can have success recreating this recipe in your own kitchen ♥

• Softened Cream Cheese : It's important that cream cheese is softened before trying to mix it. To avoid lumps of cream cheese in the cheeseball, you need it softened well before you start making the recipe. Don't leave cream cheese out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. You can also unwrap it, place it on a microwave safe plate, and microwave it for about 40 seconds. This way it's softened but not melty and hot. 
• Fridge Time : The 1 hour fridge time is important so that the cheese ball can set and firm up a bit. You can leave it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before coating it in the cheese & parsley for serving. 
• Shred Your Own Cheese : For the best taste and texture of cheese make sure you are shredding the cheddar cheese from a block. Do not use the bagged, pre-shredded stuff you get at the store. Make sure to also use the fine side of the cheese grater when shredding the cheese. 
• Assortment of Crackers : Cheeseballs are best served with an assortment of crackers and/or veggie sticks. Pick out a few of your favorites at the store and use them. My family likes Triscuits, Club crackers, mini pretzels, and the Carr's brand of assorted table crackers. 
• Full Fat Cream Cheese : This the best flavor and thick & creamy texture! I highly recommend only using it and not the reduced-fat cream cheese. 
• Non-Easter Carrot Cheeseball : Make this year round by simply shaping the cheeseball into a round circle and coating the outside with shredded cheddar cheese or any other cheese you prefer. Leave out the curly parsley leaves on the end. 

More Fun Easter Recipes You'll Love

• Easter Candy Rice Krispies - Use up all that candy and make these gooey marshmallow treats. 
• Carrot Bundt Cake - Homemade carrot Bundt Cake with a cream cheese frosting. 
• Swirled Easter Cake - Easy to make with a cake mix! 
• Cadbury Mini Egg Blondies - Buttery brown sugar blondies with everyone's favorite Easter candy. 
• Easter Surprise Confetti Cookie Bars - Fun cookie bars with Easter sprinkles and candies. 
• Easter Goody Bars - Rich, chocolatey layered bars with a pecan brown sugar base and top. 
• Peeps Rice Krispy Treats - Gooey marshmallow treats with jelly beans, vanilla glaze, sprinkles, and Peeps. 
• Cadbury Egg Kiss Cookies - Soft peanut butter cookie "kissed" with a mini Cadbury egg on top.