Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball

If you’re looking for the easiest holiday dessert to bring to a party, this Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball is it. It’s a creamy, no-bake spread that tastes like a bite of cheesecake in every scoop, and it comes together with just a handful of pantry staples.

This one has been a staple in our house for years. It started as something my sister-in-law whipped up for a holiday party and turned into one that’s stuck around for decades. It’s genuinely the easiest thing I make every holiday, and it never fails; it’s always requested. Since it needs to chill anyway, it’s the kind of dessert you can fully prep the day before and just pull it out when guests arrive.

Table of contents

• What is a Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball?
• Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball
• Ingredient Notes
• How to Make a Cheesecake Ball
• Tips for the Best Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball
• Variations and Substitutions
• Frequently Asked Questions
• What to Serve with Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball
• Storage Tips
• More Holiday Dessert Recipes:

What is a Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball?

A chocolate chip cheesecake ball is a no-bake dessert spread made with sweetened cream cheese and butter, mixed with chocolate chips and then chilled into a ball. It’s served with graham crackers, cookies, and pretzels for dipping.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball

• It’s no-bake, so there’s no oven time and no worrying about a cracked cheesecake top.
• Comes together with just a few pantry-style ingredients.
• Can be served gluten-free with gluten-free dipping items.
• Make it up to 2 days in advance and store in the fridge.
• One cheesecake ball easily serves up to 20.

Ingredient Notes

• Cream Cheese – This is the base of the ball; make sure it’s fully softened to room temperature, since this is what will determine how easy the mixture is to shape.
• Butter – Also needs to be softened; it adds richness and helps the ball hold its shape.
• Powdered Sugar – Sweetens the mixture without adding any grit.
• Brown Sugar – Adds a little extra caramel-like depth alongside the powdered sugar.
• Vanilla Extract – Rounds out the sweetness.
• Almond Extract (Optional) – Gives the signature bakery-style flavor; don’t skip it if you don’t have to.
• Chocolate Chips – Regular or mini chips will work. The mini chips are a little easier to work with.

How to Make a Cheesecake Ball

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the cheese and butter, then add in the remaining ingredients, folding in the chocolate chips.
2. Let it chill in the fridge for 2-3 hours, then remove and shape into a ball. Put back in the fridge to chill and set for 1-2 hours.
3. Serve this with the Chocolate Graham Cracker Sticks or dipping options.

Tips for the Best Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball

• Make sure your cream cheese and butter are fully softened before mixing. This is the single most important factor in getting the correct ball shape.
• If the mixture is too soft to shape, first chill; do not add additional powdered sugar. Give it about 30 minutes to chill in the fridge, then try to shape.
• Shape it using plastic wrap instead of your bare hands. This will help keep it from sticking to your hands.
• Double the recipe for a larger crowd.
• For extra flavor, roll the ball in the chocolate chips or chopped nuts before serving.

Variations and Substitutions

• Use white chocolate chips instead of chocolate chips.
• Use peppermint chips, like in this peppermint mocha cheesecake ball.
• Add nuts on the outside coating.

Frequently Asked Questions

This almost always means the mixture needs to chill first. Return it to the fridge for 30 minutes before shaping.

Wrap the shaped ball in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe storage bag and freeze for up to 1 month.

Serve with gluten-free pretzels or gluten-free graham crackers.

What to Serve with Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball

This can be served with a variety of dipping options such as graham cracker sticks, gluten-free graham crackers, shortbread cookies, or pretzels. We love gluten-free pretzels for a sweet and salty combination.

Storage Tips

The cheesecake ball can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge up to 2 days before serving. Be sure to tightly wrap it, and when ready to serve, serve it chilled. Leftovers can also be stored in the fridge as well.

This chocolate chip cheesecake ball is the easiest dessert to make for the holidays or parties with friends and family. With just a handful of ingredients and a little chill time, you can easily have a delicious dessert to add to your spread!

More Holiday Dessert Recipes:

• Gluten-Free Peppermint Cookies

• 

  Peppermint Mocha Cheesecake Ball (No-Bake Dessert)

• Easy Gingerbread Cookies (Gluten-Free)

• 10+ Best Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes