Dessert Cheese Ball

I made this for my sister’s birthday, last week.  It was such a hit!  I got the recipe from a co-worker, and I think this is a genius idea.  It’s great for sitting around snacking with friends.

My brother bought his own place about a year ago, and is learning the joys of food preparation.  It’s in our blood to be in the kitchen, and he’s no exception.  But he definitely needs to work on his kitchen skills just a little more.  During the birthday dessert, he asks me what’s in the cheese ball. 

‘Cream cheese’, I answer. 

 ‘And mozzarella?’ He wonders.

‘No!’

“Cheddar?’

‘No — it’s sweet!  Just cream cheese!’ At this point I realize he’s really serious!

‘You used about 5 then?’

‘No!  It’s just one.  All fluffy with butter and sugar.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, I made it!’

Seriously, that was the conversation.  Almost word for word.  Then he asked if there was blue cheese in it, and Dr. T told him ‘Actually, it’s Parmesan!’  Brothers…

The REAL ingredients in a Dessert Cheese Ball: 

1 package cream cheese, at room temp

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

More chocolate chips, chopped nuts, skor or other candy bar

What to really do with the real ingredients:

1.  Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy.

2.  Gradually add sugars and beat until just combined.

3.  Stir in chocolate chips.

4.  Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

5.  Form cheese into a ball using ‘hand protection’ (saran wrap, wax paper, gloves).  It’s pretty messy.  I dropped the whole mass onto a long sheet of wax paper and used the ends of the paper to mold it. 

6.  Roll in additional chip, nuts, candy.  I put the skor bits on the wax paper and gently rolled the ball in it.  I did this the night before serving and the skor didn’t get soft.

7.   Serve with sweet crackers.  I used animal crackers.

8.   See?  No mozzarella!