Description
Creamy peanut butter cheese ball coated in chopped peanuts (and optional chocolate chips!). Perfect for parties or a fun snack. Serve with crackers, pretzels, and apple slices.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped peanuts, for coating
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, for coating (optional)
- Assorted crackers, pretzels, apple slices, for serving
Instructions
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Ensure cream cheese is softened by leaving it at room temperature for at least an hour. Microwave in 15-second intervals if needed, until soft but not melted.
- Combine Cream Cheese and Peanut Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth and well combined (2-3 minutes with a mixer).
- Add Sweeteners and Flavorings: Add powdered sugar, honey, vanilla extract, and salt to the bowl.
- Mix Until Smooth and Creamy: Beat until everything is thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste and adjust sweetness or saltiness to your liking.
- Wrap the Mixture: Transfer the mixture to plastic wrap. Form into a ball shape and wrap tightly, ensuring no air pockets.
- Chill in the Refrigerator: Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
- Prepare the Coating: Spread chopped peanuts (and chocolate chips, if using) in a shallow dish.
- Unwrap the Cheese Ball: Remove the chilled cheese ball from the refrigerator and unwrap it.
- Coat the Cheese Ball: Gently roll the cheese ball in the chopped peanuts (or chosen coating), pressing lightly to help the peanuts adhere.
- Refrigerate Again (Optional): Refrigerate for another 30 minutes to an hour to help the coating set.
- Choose Your Dippers: Serve with a variety of crackers, pretzels, and apple slices.
- Arrange on a Platter: Place the coated cheese ball on a serving platter and arrange dippers around it.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- Experiment with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.
- Mix in mini chocolate chips, chopped pretzels, crushed toffee bits, or cinnamon into the cheese ball mixture.
- Omit powdered sugar and honey and add cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, and garlic powder.
- Try crushed pretzels, chopped pecans, shredded coconut, or cocoa powder.
- Make 2-3 days in advance. Coat with peanuts just before serving.
- Can freeze, but texture may change. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
- Holiday parties, snack time, or dessert.
- Store leftover cheese ball in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes