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This adorable Easter bunny cheese ball is the most memorable and deliciously sweet Easter dish.
More often than not, it’s the simple things that bring the most joy and excitement. This bunny carrot cake cheese ball is just that – so easy to make in less than 5 minutes, yet so fun and exciting for everyone!
After a crazy week, I made this little carrot cake-flavored bunny cheese ball as a special after school snack for the girls.
I decided to top it with cream cheese icing, and I added some cut out bunny ears to turn it into a bunny for an extra dose of Easter fun. Served with crackers and apples, this dip is satisfying and delicious!
Don’t Skip These: We all love my carrot cake muffins and carrot cake cookies, so I knew this would be a hit!
This sweet cream cheese dip filled with carrot cake flavor is a creative Easter appetizer that is sure to be the talk of Easter brunch, a baby shower or birthday party.
Without the charming addition of the ears, you can serve this for any occasion! Even if carrot cake isn’t your favorite, give this a try. This is a great balance, with a perfect cream cheese icing to carrot cake ratio that everyone will love!
Cheese balls are often savory, like this amazing Santa Fe cheese ball. But why not mix it up and have a sweet appetizer, snack or dessert, balanced by rich cream cheese flavor.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Cream Cheese – I just used regular cream cheese, but you could use Neufchâtel cheese and get the same consistency.
- Carrot Cake Mix – This recipe uses a simple boxed cake mix. You could also substitute with a spice cake mix for a different flavor profile. Save the rest of the cake mix for another cream cheese ball later.
- Powdered Sugar – Confectioner’s sugar is used to sweeten it up just a little.
Variations
- Mix in 8 ounces of whipped topping and serve in a bowl as a soft dip.
- Use a different flavored cake mix, like spice.
How to Make
- Mix – Combine softened cream cheese with carrot cake mix and powdered.
- Chill – Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes, then shape into a ball.
- Make Frosting – Mix softened cream cheese, softened butter, and powdered sugar. Spread icing over dip. Add bunny ears, if desired.
Add Bunny Ears
- Cut out bunny ears on card stock.
- Sketch and color in pink with crayon OR download these free printable bunny ears from Ella Claire.
- Insert into the top of your carrot cake cheese ball.
Tips
- While it’s considered safe to eat flour from boxed cake mixes, you can easily heat treat the cake mix before using in this recipe if you have any safety concerns.
- Make sure cream cheese is softened before mixing. This will ensure the cream cheese is smooth and doesn’t have lumps.
- Use wax paper to shape the cheese ball to keep your hands clean.
- You certainly don’t need to add anything to this sweet little bunny cheeseball, but for an extra unique Easter dessert, you can garnish with edible flowers like pansies!
Make More (or Less!)
Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
Shortcuts
- Soften cream cheese in microwave.
- Soften butter in microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there other cheeses I can use?
Cream cheese is really easy and convenient to use, along with Neufchatel cheese because they are semi-soft and keep their shape. You could use creme fraiche or mascarpone to create a soft dip that you could serve in a bowl.
Do I need to put the frosting on the cheese ball?
No, the dip on its own tastes amazing. I added the frosting for a beautiful and sweet layer. And the white icing made it look more like a bunny.
Make Ahead
- Remove cream cheese from refrigerator a couple of hours before making bunny cheese ball to soften it.
- Involve your kids – have them make the bunny ears while you’re making the dip!
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this dessert style Easter bunny cheese ball with anything sturdy enough to scoop it up. Some of our favorites include:
- graham crackers
- biscoff cookies
- waffle cone pieces
- pretzels
- shortbread cookies
- vanilla wafers
- cinnamon chips
- animal crackers
- apples
How to Store
- At Room Temperature – Leave out for serving up to 2 hours.
- Refrigerate – Cover and store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, but it won’t last that long.
- Freeze – I don’t recommend freezing this because the consistency of the cream cheese will change.
What to Do with Leftovers
- Scoop small portions of dip and place between graham crackers or shortbread cookies and pack in a cold lunch for a fun treat.
- Spread on a bagel.
- Serve small pats of cheese ball on warm pancakes drizzled with maple syrup.
Dietary Considerations
- Vegetarian
- Choose a Gluten Free cake mix to eliminate gluten
- Nut Free
More Easter Inspiration
Easter Toffee
Bunny Cinnamon Rolls
Adorable Easter Bunny Butt Cake
Bunny Funfetti Dessert Cheeseball
East Bunny Cheese Ball
This adorable Easter bunny cheese ball is a sweet, memorable and delicious Easter dessert or appetizer!
Yield
Ingredients
Cheese Ball Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened, room temperature
- ¼ cup carrot cake mix
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Topping Ingredients:
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup butter softened, unsalted
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Combine cream cheese, cake mix and powdered sugar. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, beat cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar and set aside.
- Remove mixture from refrigerator and shape into a ball {you can use wax paper to keep your hands from getting sticky}.
- Top with icing and spread until smooth.
Tips
Serve with:
- graham crackers
- biscoff cookies
- waffle cone pieces
- pretzels
- shortbread cookies
- vanilla wafers
- cinnamon chips
- animal crackers
- apples
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1oz, Calories: 217kcal (11%), Carbohydrates: 20g (7%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 14g (22%), Saturated Fat: 8g (40%), Cholesterol: 43mg (14%), Sodium: 172mg (7%), Potassium: 42mg (1%), Sugar: 18g (20%), Vitamin A: 525IU (11%), Calcium: 42mg (4%), Iron: 0.2mg (1%)
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Hannah says
Fun and yummy recipe! I can’t wait to share it with guests this Easter!
Hannah says
Fun and yummy Easter recipe! I look forward to sharing it with guests this spring!
Pat Miller says
Can’t wait to try on Easter Sunday! And…those bunny years! Such a sweet topping to the sweet topping! 🙂
You rock!
Happy Easter!
Pat
Michael Wurm Jr. says
I thought the carrot cheeseball was epic. This is a winner! Love it, J to the B!
xo Michael
Holly says
Why does everything you make always have to look soooo good! ha. I know I wouldn’t be able to make it look like that….and if only my son would eat what I cook! I am blaming the picky 6 year old eater and not my cooking!
Julie says
Definitely the finicky kiddo, they’re tough! What they like one day they don’t the next. I think there’s enough sugar in this that the girls loved it – they ate it by the spoonful. I didn’t mentioned “carrot.” I hope you have a Happy Easter!