Unique Easter Lamb Cheese Ball Recipe

24 servings
30 min

Surprise your guests at Easter with this cheesy, meatless, and nut-free sheep and lamb-shaped appetizer. It isn't a holiday celebration until someone brings out a cheese ball!

This adorable cheesy lamb is a breeze to make, and it will be the hit of your next party. Great as an appetizer or table centerpiece, you can't go wrong with this one!

Easter is my favorite holiday because of the endless possibilities to make the celebration special. I go all out and make cute desserts like faux sunny-side-up eggs, bumblebee cupcakes, and surprise Easter bunny, to name a few.


Why it Works

  • You can't have an Easter celebration without the iconic cheeseball. But this year, it's going to be so much more exciting with our new lamb and sheep-inspired recipe!
  • The cheeseball is the perfect pairing for crackers, chips, or vegetables. This recipe will make your friends and family talk about it for months!
  • You'll love how simple and delicious these little snacks are made ahead of time or right before serving at your next get together - they're guaranteed not only satisfying but also super cute too.

You're never too old to play with food! And now that you're an adult, nobody can stop you either.


And what better excuse to play with food than making cute Easter party food?


I gave up making little lambs after only a few (grandma's done playing, ha) and formed the rest of the mix into mama sheep. Problem solved!


The recipe for these cheesy farm animals is adapted from Jo and Sue. I made this recipe without the ham and with different spices. For lovers of sweet cheeseballs, try this version with pecans and m&m's.


Aren't they just about the cutest thing you've ever seen? Have a ball this Easter with this cheese log recipe!

Can I make it ahead?

Yes, make this appetizer ahead and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.


How to store cheese balls?

Cover this Easter cheese ball with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week.


How To Serve It

Serve this appetizer like any other dip. Pair this yummy-looking cheeseball with pretzels, salty crackers, pita bread, or assorted vegetables.


You can place little lambs on crackers with a piece of lettuce, as shown in the photo below.

What is a cheese ball?

A cheese ball is a great make-ahead appetizer, a favorite party spread, or dip, making feeding (and pleasing) a crowd a breeze.


Click on the link to the original post for more details.

Unique Easter Lamb Cheese Ball Recipe
Recipe details
  • 24  servings
  • Prep time: 30 Minutes Cook time: 0 Minutes Total time: 30 min
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Ingredients
For the cheese ball mixture
  • 2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise or sour cream
  • ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped green onions
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
For the sheep and lamb
  • 1-2 cups Mozzarella cheese or other white cheese finely shredded (*see recipe notes)
  • 1 small eggplant
  • whole pitted olives
  • black and white food coloring optional
  • toothpicks
  • crackers for serving
Instructions
For the cheese ball mixture
In a mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, combine the cream cheese and mayo or sour cream until smooth.
Stir in parmesan and cheddar cheese, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and dill. Stir together until combined.
Chill for 30 minutes to help firm up if the mixture is too soft. 
For the sheep
Form the cheese mixture into a ball. Roll the ball into the white cheese, pressing lightly to coat well.
Trim off both ends of the eggplant. We will use them for the head and ears.
Cut off the corners (ears) from the end with the stem (as shown in the step-by-step pictures in the post). Use a paring knife to trim down the flesh from the ears and head if necessary.
Attach the sheep's head to the cheese ball using two toothpicks, positioning them where the eyes will be (let the ends stick out a bit).
For the sheep eyes (optional)
Press together small amounts of cheese between your fingers. Place it gently on the sheep's head, over the ends of toothpicks. Alternatively, you can use a plastic straw to press into a thin slice of cheese, squeeze it out and place it over the toothpicks.
Dip the flat end of a toothpick into the black food coloring and gently press into the cheese to create pupils.
For the lambs
Roll small amounts of cheese mixture into balls. Roll each ball into the shredded white cheese, lightly pressing to coat well.
Cut olives lengthwise in half. Cut off the corners of one half for the ears, as shown in the step-by-step photo in the post above. The other half of the olive will be the head.
Press the head and ears firmly on the cheese without deforming the ball.
For the lamb eyes (optional)
Dip the flat end of a toothpick into the white food coloring and draw the eyes. Dip the other end of the toothpick into the black food coloring and gently add the pupils (eyes are optional).
Place the lamb cheese balls on crackers or around the sheep. Enjoy!
Tips
  • *Grate the white cheese using the small holes on a grater, or pulsate pre-shredded cheese in a food processor until finely shredded. This makes the perfect sheep's wool, called fleece.
  • Use your favorite cheese ball recipe instead.
  • You can add cooked and shredded ham, beef, or chicken if you wish.
  • If you're only making little lambs, depending on the size you make them; you should get about 24 cheese balls.
  • Trim the eggplant "head" to fit the size of your "sheep." Some adjusting is necessary. Best if you can find Asian-style skinny eggplant. 
  • Adding eyes is optional. It'll still look cute without them, but they won't have a "personality."
  • Follow the link to the original post for process photos.
All that's Jas
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Comments
  • Diana Kay Diana Kay on Apr 01, 2022

    Very cute! My grandkids will love them! I think I will just do the lambs. Individual portions appeal to everyone!

  • Arline Kay Arline Kay on Mar 31, 2023

    Cute as can be, but there's no link that was mentioned for more details. Even checked on your website ...

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