Ingredients
For the Cheese Ball Base
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- 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
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- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
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- ½ cup powdered sugar
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- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
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- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
For the Coating
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- 1½ cups chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
(You may substitute or mix with chocolate chips, crushed Oreos, or peanut butter chips.)
- 1½ cups chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
For Serving (Optional)
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- Graham crackers
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- Pretzels (mini or rods)
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- Vanilla wafers
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- Chocolate cookies
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- Apple slices
Instructions
tep 1: Soften the Cream Cheese
Remove the cream cheese from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30–45 minutes. Softened cream cheese is essential for a smooth, lump-free mixture.
Step 2: Mix the Base Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- Softened cream cheese
- Peanut butter
- Powdered sugar
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
Using a hand mixer or sturdy spatula, mix until completely smooth and creamy. The mixture should be thick, fluffy, and evenly blended with no visible streaks.
Step 3: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Add the mini chocolate chips to the bowl. Gently fold them in with a spatula until evenly distributed. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture light.
Step 4: Chill the Mixture
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30–45 minutes. This step firms up the mixture, making it much easier to shape.
Step 5: Shape the Cheese Ball
Remove the chilled mixture from the refrigerator. Using clean hands or a spatula, shape it into a round ball. It doesn’t need to be perfect—the coating will hide small imperfections.
Step 6: Coat the Cheese Ball
Spread the chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on a large plate. Roll the cheese ball gently in the coating, pressing lightly so the pieces adhere evenly to the surface.
Step 7: Final Chill
Place the coated cheese ball on a serving plate. Cover loosely and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This helps it firm up and allows the flavors to fully develop.