Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Baking Required: A hassle-free recipe that skips the oven but delivers rich, cheesecake goodness.
- Perfect Fall Flavor: Pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and gingersnaps create a cozy, seasonal treat.
- Great for Gifting: These cute, bite-sized balls make great gifts or party desserts.
- Easy to Customize: Change the coating or drizzle color for any occasion!
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ⅔ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 ½ cups gingersnap crumbs
- 12 oz white almond bark (for coating)
- Optional: 1 cup orange candy melts (for drizzle)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Prepare the Cheesecake Mixture:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice, mixing until fully incorporated.
Add the Crumbs:
- Stir in the graham cracker crumbs and gingersnap crumbs until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for about 2 hours to make it easier to handle.
Form Balls:
- Scoop out small portions of the chilled mixture and roll them into 1-inch balls.
- Arrange the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill again for about 30 minutes to firm up.
Coat with Almond Bark:
- Melt the white almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each interval until fully melted.
- Dip each chilled cheesecake ball into the melted almond bark, ensuring it’s fully coated. Return them to the parchment paper to set.
Optional Drizzle:
- Melt the orange candy melts and drizzle over the coated cheesecake balls for a decorative touch.
- Allow everything to set and harden completely before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: About 24 cheesecake balls
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Variations
- Spice it up: Add extra pumpkin pie spice or a dash of cinnamon for more warmth.
- Different Coatings: Try milk or dark chocolate instead of white almond bark for a richer flavor.
- Nut-Free Option: Use crushed vanilla wafers instead of gingersnaps for the crumbs.
- Holiday Flair: Add festive sprinkles or colored drizzles to suit the season or occasion.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the pumpkin cheesecake balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the coated cheesecake balls in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
- Reheating: These are best enjoyed cold, so reheating is unnecessary.
FAQs
1. Can I use homemade pumpkin puree?
Yes, just ensure it’s well-drained to avoid excess moisture in the mixture.
2. Can I substitute graham cracker crumbs?
You can use crushed vanilla wafers or digestive biscuits as an alternative.
3. Do I need to chill the mixture twice?
Yes, chilling twice helps make the mixture easier to handle and ensures the balls stay firm during coating.
4. Can I skip the gingersnap crumbs?
Yes, you can replace them with extra graham cracker crumbs, though the gingersnaps add a nice spice.
5. How do I melt the almond bark properly?
Use a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring well in between to avoid burning.
6. What can I use instead of almond bark?
Candy melts or melted white chocolate are great alternatives.
7. How do I make the drizzle look neat?
Use a small piping bag or a fork to drizzle the melted candy in thin lines over the balls.
8. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, these can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
9. Are these freezer-friendly?
Absolutely! Freeze the coated balls in a single layer before transferring them to a container for longer storage.
10. Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free graham crackers and gingersnaps to accommodate dietary needs.
Conclusion
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls are a decadent and easy-to-make dessert that’s perfect for the fall season. With creamy, spiced centers and a sweet coating, these treats are guaranteed to impress. Make a batch today and enjoy the taste of autumn in every bite!
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls are the ultimate fall treat, featuring creamy pumpkin-spiced cheesecake centers coated in sweet white almond bark. Perfect for holidays, parties, or gifting, these bite-sized desserts are easy to make and irresistibly delicious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cheesecake balls
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cheesecake Mixture:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ⅔ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 ½ cups gingersnap crumbs
For the Coating:
- 12 oz white almond bark (for coating)
- Optional: 1 cup orange candy melts (for drizzle)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheesecake Mixture:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Add pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice, mixing until fully combined.
- Add the Crumbs:
- Stir in graham cracker crumbs and gingersnap crumbs until evenly incorporated.
- Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 2 hours to firm up.
- Form Balls:
- Scoop small portions of the chilled mixture and roll into 1-inch balls.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill for another 30 minutes.
- Coat with Almond Bark:
- Melt white almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each interval until smooth.
- Dip each cheesecake ball into the melted almond bark, fully coating it. Place back on the parchment paper to set.
- Optional Drizzle:
- Melt orange candy melts and drizzle over the coated cheesecake balls for decoration.
- Allow the coating and drizzle to set completely before serving.
Notes
- For a nut-free option, replace gingersnaps with crushed vanilla wafers.
- To ensure the balls stay firm during coating, don’t skip the chilling steps.
- Add festive sprinkles or colored drizzle to customize for holidays.