Pineapple Christmas Balls Recipe
Pineapple Christmas Balls are a festive and creamy no-bake treat combining juicy pineapple chunks, smooth cream cheese, and sweet powdered sugar, all rolled in a coating of shredded coconut. These bite-sized delights are perfect for holiday parties and easy to prepare ahead of time.
- Author: Isla
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: Approximately 20 Pineapple Christmas Balls 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup canned pineapple chunks (drained and patted dry)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup shredded coconut (plus extra for coating)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional; walnuts or pecans)
- Drain Pineapple: Thoroughly drain the canned pineapple chunks and pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, ensuring the mixture won’t be too wet.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar, stirring until the mixture is smooth and fluffy for a creamy base.
- Combine Ingredients: Gently fold the dried pineapple chunks into the cream cheese mixture until evenly distributed without breaking up the pineapple too much.
- Form Balls: Using your hands, scoop out portions of the mixture and roll each into golf ball-sized spheres for perfect bite-sized treats.
- Coat with Coconut: Roll each formed ball in shredded coconut until it is fully covered, adding extra texture and flavor.
- Chill: Place the coated pineapple balls on a serving platter and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow them to firm up and flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve chilled, optionally drizzling with extra shredded coconut or sprinkling chopped nuts on top for added crunch and presentation.
Notes
- Make sure to drain and dry the pineapple well to prevent the mixture from becoming too wet or sticky.
- For a nut-free version, omit the chopped nuts completely or use seeds instead.
- These treats can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for the best creamy texture and flavor.
- Try experimenting by adding a splash of vanilla extract to enhance sweetness.
- Keep these refrigerated until serving as they can soften quickly at room temperature.
Keywords: pineapple balls, holiday treats, no bake dessert, Christmas recipes, cream cheese desserts, coconut coated treats