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.
๐ 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!
The step-by-step tutorial makes this classic holiday spread an easy task.
Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions. However, there's important stuff to know before you scroll down.
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.
๐ Ingredients and Notes
๐ง Dairy
For this Easter recipe, we used four types of cheese:
- Cream cheese - we used plain but you can use flavored (chive and onion or garlic and herb), just go easy with adding seasonings. We recommend full fat cream cheese because it keeps the shape better.
- Parmesan - grated.
- Mozzarela or other white cheese of your choice - block or shredded, see recipe notes in the recipe box below. We used full fat, but 2% skim is fine too.
- Shredded cheddar - sharp or mild, it's up to you.
๐ง Seasonings
You will need garlic, green onions, and dill - omit if using flavored cream cheese.
You will need black pitted olives and one small eggplant for the sheep and lamb faces. Best if you can find Asian-style skinny eggplant.
๐ช Step by Step Instructions
Cheese ball recipes take only a few minutes to make. Set some time aside if you're making the individual lamb servings.
- Mix the ingredients for cheese ball - cream cheese, mayo, parmesan, shredded cheddar, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and dill.
- Form the sheep and/or lamb - roll cheese mixture into one large ball for sheep and/or small balls for lamb. Roll into finely shredded Mozzarella.
- Assemble the sheep and/or lamb - using ends of a small eggplant and black pitted olives as pictured below press heads and ears on the cheese ball, and add eyes.
How to make lamb's face
- Cut olives lengthwise in half.
- Cut off the corners of one half for the ears, as shown in step 2 in the above photo (eat or dispose of the middle piece).
- The other half of the olive will be the face. Place the ears as shown. See recipe box below for making its eyes.
How to make sheep's face
- Trim off both ends of the eggplant. They will be used for the head and ears.
- From the end with the stem, cut off the corners (ears) as shown in photo above.
How to assemble lamb and sheep face and add eyes
- 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).
- Press together small amounts of cheese between your fingers. Place it gently on the sheep's head, over the ends of toothpicks. Using the flat end of a toothpick, dip into the black food coloring and gently press into the cheese to create pupils.
- 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.
- 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.
- Adding eyes is optional. It'll still look cute without them, but they won't have a "personality."
- Make just the sheep or just the lambs, or a combination of the two. It's up to you.
โ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, make this appetizer ahead and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.
Cover this Easter cheese ball with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week.
๐ฝ 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.
- Easter Lamb-Shaped Cinnamon Rolls
- No-Bake Cheesecake in Kataifi Robin's Nests
- Carrot Cake Cheesecake
- Chocolate Easter Eggs with Cheesecake Filling
Liked this recipe? Leave a โญโญโญโญโญ rating and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
Cute Easter Lamb Cheese Ball Recipe
EQUIPMENT
- cheese grater or food processor
Ingredients
For the cheese ball mixture
- 2 8-oz. packages cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup mayonnaise, or sour cream
- โ 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 (save the rest of the eggplant for another recipe).
- 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!
Notes
- *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."
- Make just the sheep or just the lambs, or a combination of the two. It's up to you.
- You can make this appetizer ahead and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve, but you can also eat it immediately.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used.
acraftymix says
I'm convinced you are the best Ouma ever Jas. Even picky little eaters won't be able to resist these cuties. You really are so creative with your cooking
Jas says
Lol, they like me alright. ๐ Can't complain. Thank you for your kindness, my friend!
firebirdwife says
These are just the cutest! Thank you so much for sharing!
Jas says
You're welcome! Happy you like them! xx
Ai says
How adorable!! I bet kids go crazy for these!
Jas says
Thanks so much! They do ๐
Angie | Fiesta Friday says
Omg, they are beyond adorable!! I'm saving, pinning, bookmarking... I have to make sure I will not forget to make these for my Easter brunch!! Thanks for sharing, Jas. Luv ya! XOXO
Jas says
I'm so happy you like them, Angie! Thanks for pinning!
Kristen says
These are just adorable! A perfect addition to a farm-themed birthday party for a toddler, too!
Jas says
Thank you, Kristen! I agree - they'd be great for farm-themed parties. ๐
Alice V-DIYerfy says
this is such a creative food item, I don't think any kid could pass it up. Thank you for linking it up with us at #OMHGWW.
Jas says
Thanks so much, Alice! I also think they're hard to resist. x
Mary says
Forget about eating it. This has to be the cutest cheeseball I have ever seen Jas!
Jas says
Thank you, Mary! They are cute, aren't they? We still ate them, though. LOL
Ron says
What a fun cheese ball. They look amazing with those eyes, almost too good to eat. FYI, I used to get in trouble for squashing my bread flat when I was a kid too. But when my parents were out, I'd cut the crust from a slice of white bread, roll it flat and thin. Then I'd butter the bread and sprinkle cinnamon sugar all over and toast until the sugar was caramelized. Do I still do it? Oh heck yes.
Jas says
Haha, my husband does the same thing! Too funny!