This Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball is the perfect appetizer for game day snacking! Go on and wow your guests at your next football party with this easy, yummy treat!
Since fall is finally here and football season is underway, I decided to bring a little game day fun to the blog today! I actually shared this recipe over at Kenarry a few weeks ago as part of our new recipe exchange series, “Ideas for the Kitchen.” Carrie was here sharing her recipe for Easy Cheesy Green Pepper Dip, so make sure you check that out if you haven’t yet!
Traditional cheese balls are pretty popular for get-togethers and parties, and I always look forward to snacking on them. But who says cheese balls always have to be savory? I mean, why not have your cheese ball for dessert? And so I give you this delicious Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball! AND, I’ve made it into an extra special football shape so it’s just right for enjoying during your next tailgate party!
Making this cheesecake ball is a fairly simple process. A few years ago, my mom gave me this super cute football platter set for Christmas. I love pulling it out this time of year and using it to serve different types of salsa while we watch the game. When I decided to make a football shaped cheesecake ball, I knew one of the bowls would work perfectly!
Now there is no need to worry if you don’t have a football shaped bowl like this. If you have a small, oval shaped bowl, you could use it in the same way. Or, you could simply shape the cheesecake ball using your hands once it has properly chilled, as it is very easy to manipulate.
To get started, mix up the cheesecake ball ingredients, then cover and chill in the fridge for about two hours. If you plan to use a bowl for shaping your cheesecake ball, line the inside of the bowl with plastic wrap.
Fill with the chilled batter then cover and return to fridge to chill for one more hour. If you are making the football shape by hand, use a large piece of plastic wrap to help form into a football shape first.
Once the cheesecake ball is finished chilling, transfer to a serving plate. To do this, I unwrapped the top of the cheesecake ball, then flipped it over on top of the platter. Next, I carefully pulled back the plastic wrap to loosen it from the bowl, then finished removing all of the plastic wrap. At this point, it was ready for decorating!
I covered mine in miniature chocolate chips, then used white chocolate chips for the accent color and “laces.” I love serving this with graham crackers, vanilla wafers, and even pretzels for that yummy sweet and salty combo. Actually, pretzels are my favorite way to scoop and eat this yummy cheesecake ball!
So tell me, are you a football fan? College football, NFL…maybe both? My husband and I are both big football fans, though we do live in a “house divided.” I’m a Georgia fan and my hubby is an Auburn fan, but we do both cheer on the Atlanta Falcons!
I hope that this Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball makes your game time a little bit more fun, whether you’re busy cheering on your team, or simply enjoying the food. Have a great week, friends!
Game Day Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 TB brown sugar
- 1 package mini chocolate chips
- small handful white chocolate chips
- graham crackers,, vanilla wafers, and pretzels for serving
Instructions
- Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in a medium sized bowl until fluffy. Add sugar and beat until combined. Stir in 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate for two hours.
- If making a football shaped cheesecake ball, line the inside of the bowl of your choice with plastic wrap then fill with mixture. Cover the top with plastic wrap. If you are not using a bowl, simply place the mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap and shape into a ball. Refrigerate for a least an hour.
- To decorate and serve, remove plastic wrap from the top of bowl and invert cheesecake ball onto serving platter. Remove remaining plastic wrap. If you are not using a bowl, remove plastic wrap and serve as a ball, or use your hands to make into football shape.
- Decorate by covering cheesecake ball with remaining mini chocolate chips. To add accents to resemble "football laces," add in white chocolate chips to the center and top sides.
- Serve with graham crackers, vanilla wafers, and pretzels.
Nutrition
If you like this Game Day Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball, you might also like…
Cheesy Hot Corn Dip
Becca says
Could this be made a day in advance?
Ashlyn Edwards says
Yes!
Elizabeth says
How gorgeous does this sound! I’m not usually tv sports person, but I’d totally show up for game day if this was on offer!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
I have never tried a cheese ball before, be it sweet or savoury, but this looks so addictive and delicious! I just know it would disappear sharpish in my house!
Patty says
What a fun recipe this is, looks delicious too, can’t wait to try it!
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours says
This is a great idea for sharing and entertaining friends and family. A good football game always needs good food.
Dannii says
How fun is this! Cheesecake was a huge pregnancy craving of mine, and it never really stopped. I have to try this!
georgie says
this is so cool and looks so tasty! i love the idea of dessert dip!
Heidy says
Good morning! I am loving this idea for Game day! I’m a total chocolate monster! Can’t wait to make this for the Game!
David @ Cooking Chat says
Great game day dessert idea! I like the looks of the cheesy corn dip too (I’m more a savory fan). Mostly NFL fan here, I tend to start watch later in the season to cheer the Pats on for another Super Bowl run!
Helena says
Absolutely true! The football season brings so many great recipes to cook – like this incredible cheesecake ball! I love how you decorated it and can’t wait to try! 🙂
Shanika says
This recipe looks so delicious and perfect for Game Day!
Stephanie Petronelli says
Hi I accidentally bought whipped cream chees!! Do you think it will still work or should I go back and get the regular kind? Thank you!!
Ashlyn says
Hi Stephanie! I’ve never made it with whipped cream cheese before so I’m really not sure! My only fear is that the whipped cream cheese might not hold the shape as well as the regular kind.
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
This is creative! Great game day treat!
Ashlyn says
Thanks Meg!
Melissa says
Can this be frozen pre-decorating?? I made this for the AFC championship game and we had SO. MUCH. FOOD. that we couldn’t even think about dessert. Thinking about freezing it for Superbowl Sunday!
Ashlyn says
Hi Melissa! I haven’t frozen this before but I would say go ahead; it’s worth a try!!
Susan Salzman says
that’s adorable
Ashlyn says
Thanks Susan!
Doreen@househOneys says
When I saw this in your slider, I thought it was cannoli cream! lol I actually made cannoli cream as a dip two years ago for suoer bowl :). Great minds…
As for football, I could definitely do without it, and I’m being tactful when I say that lol
Laura@Baking in pyjamas says
How fun, it looks very tempting. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
Ashlyn says
Thank you, Laura!
Katie Goldsworthy says
This is great! Pinning to the Monday Funday board. Thanks for sharing!
Ashlyn says
Thank you for pinning, Katie! I appreciate it!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
This is so cute!!! I would so loving serving this at a football party! Pinning!!
Ashlyn says
Thank you, Jaren!
heather @french press says
this is great for game days
Ashlyn says
Thank you, Heather!
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy says
Stop it right now!!! This is crazy! I love love love it!!! Admittedly, this is my first year of really enjoying watching football games and now I’m all OVER recipes like this! My house full of boys would go crazy for this – makin it! Thanks!!
Ashlyn says
Thanks Jen! Glad to hear you’re enjoying watching some football this year, sometimes it takes a while to grow on ya! I bet all of your boys are pumped that you’re into it, too! 😉
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Okay…this is just too cute and sounds so good!!! I’m always better with ideas for savory tailgate munchies, now I can add this sweet recipe to my repertoire!
Ashlyn says
Annie, it sounds like you and I should swap some recipe ideas because I always feel that I’m good with the sweets, but not the savory! You’ll have to let me know some of your faves. 🙂
Cate @ Chez CateyLou says
I can’t lie… I’m more a fan of football food than of football! But I do love the Irish – I went to Notre Dame. I LOVE this cheesecake ball. It is seriously so cute, and sounds delicious. This would be the hit of any football game watch!
Ashlyn says
Haha Cate, I totally get that! Football food is often times better than the game. It’s very cool that you’re a Notre Dame alum! My uncle went there, and I always cheer on the Irish when they’re playing. Go Irish!:)
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
This is so adorable and sounds delicious too. I’d pretend to be a sports fan if I could eat this, Ashlyn 😉
Ashlyn says
You’re welcome to it anytime, Andi! Football game or not. 🙂