This chocolate chip cheeseball recipe makes the best party food. It is such an easy dessert that everyone is going to love.

With simple ingredients, it is a sweet appetizer cheeseball that is perfect with Nilla wafers, pretzels and simple cookies.

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball being dipped with cookie

I love hosting parties because they are a time when you can spend time with your loved ones. One of our core values here is celebrating this wonderful life we have together, and parties are one way to do that.

Parties are a great way to create memories with friends and family. You get to gather together and enjoy each other’s company while snacking on food. And what is a party without tasty food?

We love serving our tasty mocktails at parties and sometimes even create a drink specifically for themed parties. This smoking Halloween mocktail is perfect for Halloween because of the spooky look the dry ice gives the beverage.

Our blue lagoon mocktail and fresh raspberry mocktail are the best summer drinks. We also have Christmas mocktails, so don’t worry. Drinks can really help tie in the theme of a party to the food table.

I just know you are going to love this amazing recipe. It makes the perfect dessert appetizer and is definitely going to become your new favorite sweet treat.

You can serve this sweet cheese ball or our mini cheeseballs at any and all special occasions like a baby shower, birthday party, holiday party, or football party. It requires simple ingredients, making this treat almost too easy to make.

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball on a cookie in hand

Why you should make this recipe

It is the perfect no-bake dessert (your kids could totally make it by themselves).
All of the ingredients can easily be found at your local grocery store.
It is an easy and tasty option to make for your next party.

Ingredients needed

Cream cheese – Let the cream cheese soften before mixing.
Butter – Just like the cream cheese, you should allow the butter to soften. It will mix much easier if it is soft.
Vanilla extract – The soft flavor of vanilla adds the perfect touch to this fun snack.
Almond extract – The almond flavor mixed with the vanilla extract creates the perfectly sweet flavor for this treat.
Powdered sugar – Powdered sugar helps keep the cream cheese mixture together.
Brown sugar – Brown sugar also helps pack the cream cheese mixture.
Mini chocolate chips – Take note when making that the chocolate chips are divided in the recipe.
Pecans – Make sure you chop them.

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball on a marble tray

How to make chocolate chip cheeseball

Create cream cheese mixture

Put the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl for a stand mixer. Slowly start to mix together.

Add in vanilla and almond extracts and sugars. Mix until light and fluffy.

Refrigerate

Slowly stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. You can still use the electric mixer, just do it gently.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap after the chocolate chips are mixed in. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Serve

After 2 hours, remove from the refrigerator. Shape the mixture into a ball.

Put the rest of the chocolate chips and chopped pecans together. Roll the ball in the chocolate chips and pecans for a yummy outside layer.

Tips for recipe success

Mix it up – Not a fan of pecans? Use another type of nut! Walnuts work just as well. You could also mix in toffee bits for more flavor.
Buy extra – This recipe is so good that it will be gone quickly. Trust me when I say you should have extra ingredients to make another dessert cheeseball just in case.
Mix slowly – Especially with the powdered sugar, you will want to ensure you mix slowly. I have made so many messed by mixing too quickly and powdered sugar flies everywhere.

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball on a cookie in a hand

Storage and Freezing

Storing – After serving, wrap the cheeseball in a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. Store in the fridge.

It will keep for about 4 days. It is so good that I doubt it will last that long.

Freezing – Wrap up the cheeseball just like you would when storing and place in the freezer. It will last up to 4 months.

When ready to defrost, put it in the fridge for 6 hours. Unwrap and place it at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

FAQ

What crackers do you serve with a chocolate chip dessert cheese ball?

There are so many options! Graham cracker sticks (bonus points if they are gluten free graham crackers) are pretty common, but we’d also recommend animal crackers, mini vanilla wafers, and teddy grahams.

What other dessert cheeseball ideas are there?

You can use this same recipe but replace the chocolate chips with peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips, which would be absolutely delicious. White chocolate chips would also be yummy.

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball with cookies and pretzels

Ways to enjoy

You should absolutely pair this fantastic dessert cheeseball with any (or all) of our charcuterie boards. We have a dessert board that would look so cute next to this tasty cream cheese ball.

For more savory options, try out gluten-free charcuterie and Mexican charcuterie boards. We also have a vegan charcuterie board for those with dietary preferences and/or restrictions.

Looking for a themed charcuterie board? We have Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentines, and Christmas charcuterie boards. This summer charcuterie board is perfect for the summer months if you need a tasty appetizer.

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