It’s festive, delicious, and yes, it’s incredibly easy to make. We’re talking about a Cinnamon Cream Cheese Ball! A sweet twist on a classic appetizer.
Just imagine: a decadently creamy ball of cream cheese, sweetened with sugars, flavored with cinnamon, and rolled in crunchy praline pecans. My husband says this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Ball is like a dream come true for your tastebuds!
Ok, maybe I’m putting words in his mouth. What he actually did was raise his eyebrows and say, “This is amazing!” Same thing, right? Ha!
This Cinnamon Roll Dessert Cheese Ball is the perfect appetizer for the holiday season (or any time!). It’s a twist on the classic cheese ball recipe, combining the beloved flavors of a warm cinnamon roll and a creamy cheese spread into one unforgettable dish.
You might even say it’s the best holiday cheese ball recipe you’ve ever tried! Your only problem might be making enough to keep the crowd happy. (Don’t worry, it actually serves a lot of people.)
Best of all, this is an easy cheese ball recipe that doesn’t require any complicated steps or fancy kitchen gadgets. Just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time to chill, and you’ll have a crowd-pleaser of a dish ready to serve at your Christmas party (or Thanksgiving or New Year’s or Baby Shower… you get the idea!).
I really love how the cream cheese blends with cinnamon and brown sugar. Serve it cold or warm it up for a spread. Either way, it’s heavenly!
To top it all off, there are the praline pecans. They add a sweetness and crunch that is just the perfect combination to the outside of this Cream Cheese Ball. So let’s get started!
Some of our other favorite holiday recipes we have on our site include: Hot Chocolate Dip, Molasses Crinkle Cookies, and Pumpkin Cheese Ball.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Festive and Flavorful: The blend of sweet cream cheese, cinnamon, and praline pecans makes this a unique and delicious appetizer. I don’t think there is a better way to enjoy a cheese ball.
- Easy to Make: Mix, shape, roll, and chill – even beginners can make this entire thing! You’ll find everything you need easily at the grocery store.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare this great appetizer the day before your event, which saves you time on the day of your party.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Cream cheese
- Salted butter
- Powdered sugar
- Light brown sugar
- Vanilla instant pudding mix
- Cinnamon
- Praline pecans (or glaze/candied pecans)
HOW TO MAKE CREAM CHEESE BALL:
- Place the crushed praline pecan bits into a shallow dish large enough to hold the cheese ball mixture. Set aside.
- In a large bowl cream together the softened block of cream cheese and softened butter. Once smooth add the powdered sugar, brown sugar, vanilla pudding mix, and cinnamon until smooth and creamy.
- Use a rubber spatula to scrape all of the softened cream cheese mixture into a ball in the center of your bowl. Then lightly grease your hands and shape the cream cheese into a ball.
- Roll the cream cheese ball into the crushed praline pecan bits, making sure to pack as much on as possible, covering every bit of the cream cheese.
- Gently cover the ball with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to set for at least 1 hour or overnight. If you need the cheese ball to set quicker, you may set it in the freezer for approx 30 minutes.
- When it’s time to serve, assemble a serving plate by placing the chilled cheese ball in the center and arranging mini cinnamon rolls or your other dippers along the edges of the cheese ball.
- Store any leftover cheese ball in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
DO I HAVE TO USE NUTS?
No, you don’t have to use nuts. If you’re allergic, you can roll the homemade cheese balls in shredded coconut, crushed cookies, or even mini chocolate chips.
WHAT DOES THIS TASTE LIKE?
This cheese ball tastes like a cross between a creamy cheesecake and a sweet cinnamon roll. It’s not overly sweet, and the hint of cinnamon really complements the cream cheese.
WHAT ARE PRALINE PECANS?
Praline pecans are candied pecans that are coated in a sweet syrup made from sugar, butter, and cream. They’re the best way to add a sweet and crunchy element to this cheese ball.
You can premake these yourself or buy them from any grocery store.
WHAT TO SERVE THIS WITH?
This crowd-pleaser is perfect with a variety of dippers like graham crackers, vanilla wafers, apple slices, or even our mini cinnamon rolls. Bring them along to your next holiday party!
ANY ADDITIONS?
Yes, that is the beauty of this recipe. Use it as a base to make it your own, here are some fun suggestions:
- Mix in some mini chocolate chips for a sweet surprise.
- Stir in some raisins or dried cranberries for a fruity twist.
- Add a splash of rum extract for a holiday punch.
- Mix in some orange zest or a bit of lemon juice for a hint of citrus.
- Sprinkle in some nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for extra holiday warmth.
- Add a touch of maple syrup for a hint of fall flavors.
- Stir in some toffee bits for a caramel crunch.
- Mix in some crushed ritz crackers for a buttery twist.
- Add some shredded coconut for a tropical touch.
- Stir in some white chocolate chips for a creamy sweetness.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
Absolutely, here are my thoughts on substitutions:
- Swap the cream cheese for Neufchâtel cheese for a lower-fat option.
- Substitute the praline pecans with regular roasted pecans if you want less sweetness. You can also use regular candied pecans or any sugared nuts you prefer.
- Replace the powdered sugar with a sugar substitute for a lower-sugar version.
- Use gluten-free cookies or crackers for a gluten-free serving option.
- Substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine for a dairy-free version.
- Use a vegan cream cheese for a vegan-friendly cheese ball.
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s perfect for making ahead of time before holiday parties!
Freezer: While you can freeze this cheese ball, the texture might be a bit different when thawed. It’s best to serve it fresh or store it in the fridge. Feeze for up to 3 months.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Always use room temperature cream cheese and butter for a smoother mixture.
- Make sure to really pack on the praline pecans on the outside for a good crunch in every bite.
- Use a large piece of plastic wrap to help shape your cheese ball without making a mess.
- If your cheese ball isn’t firming up, try putting it in the freezer for a bit.
- Don’t skip the chilling step – it’s important for the flavors to meld together and for the whole cheese ball to hold its shape.
- Remember, you can prepare this the day before your party to save time on the day. When the time comes the next day, just pull it out and place it on your serving platter!
This is that special dessert recipe you have been looking for. Delicious, fun, and interactive, you must try this Cream Cheese Ball at your next gathering!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Ball, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 1 cup praline pecans or glaze/candied pecans, crushed
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 7 tablespoons salted butter softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla instant pudding mix
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Place the crushed praline pecan bits into a shallow dish large enough to hold the cheese ball mixture. Set aside.1 cup praline pecans
- In a large bowl cream together the softened block of cream cheese and softened butter. Once smooth add the powdered sugar, brown sugar, vanilla pudding mix, and cinnamon until smooth and creamy.8 oz cream cheese, 7 tablespoons salted butter, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons vanilla instant pudding mix, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Use a rubber spatula to scrape all of the softened cream cheese mixture into a ball in the center of your bowl. Then lightly grease your hands and shape the cream cheese into a ball.
- Roll the cream cheese ball into the crushed praline pecan bits, making sure to pack as much on as possible, covering every bit of the cream cheese.
- Gently cover the ball with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to set for at least 1 hour or overnight. If you need the cheese ball to set quicker, you may set it in the freezer for approx 30 minutes.
- When it’s time to serve, assemble a serving plate by placing the chilled cheese ball in the center and arranging dippers along the edges of the cheese ball.
Notes
- Always use room temperature cream cheese and butter for a smoother mixture.
- Make sure to really pack on the praline pecans on the outside for a good crunch in every bite.
- Use a large piece of plastic wrap to help shape your cheese ball without making a mess.
- If your cheese ball isn’t firming up, try putting it in the freezer for a bit.
- Don’t skip the chilling step – it’s important for the flavors to meld together and for the whole cheese ball to hold its shape.
- Remember, you can prepare this the day before your party to save time on the day. When the time comes the next day, just pull it out and place it on your serving platter!
Comments & Reviews
Sharon Bibeau says
Sounds yummy my type of cheese ball. My Question is what do serve it with to eat. And i already recieve emails from you . Thanks
Dana DeVolk says
There are serving suggestions in the post: graham crackers, vanilla wafers, apple slices, or even our mini cinnamon rolls.