Cheesecake Cheese Ball recipe made with just 8 simple ingredients is the perfect no bake party dessert. This Cheesecake Ball recipe tastes just like cheesecake without all the work. Pair this delicious Cheesecake Ball with cookies and fruit for the perfect no bake party dessert. Decorated for Mardi Gras a dessert cheese ball is a great dessert to make, but change things up a bit and enjoy it anytime!
Mardi Gras Cheesecake Ball
King’s cake is very popular in the south during Mardi Gras, and since we celebrate any holiday that we can up next for us celebrating is Mardi Gras. I originally shared this easy dessert cheese ball a few years ago, but it was time for some new beautiful photos to show just how delicious it is.
When I came up with this easy cheesecake cheese ball recipe I was heading to a Mardi Gras party with the kids and I needed a dessert that was party friendly but easy to make. I love a good cheeseball so I thought I would change things up and make a dessert cheeseball and then decorate it with Mardi Gras colors.
This Mardi Gras cheesecake dip was a huge hit with everyone at the party and I have since made this dessert cheeseball many time while changing up the colors of the sugar to match the holiday we are celebrating.
This Cheesecake Ball recipe has all the flavors of cheesecake without all of the work. As someone who loves cheesecake my favorite way to enjoy this cheesecake ball is with a graham cracker and sometimes a few slices of strawberries on top of it.
To give this easy dessert cheese ball a more Mardi Gras theming than just the coloring I also added cinnamon. Cinnamon and sugar is a big thing when it comes to Mardi Gras dessert, especially the most well known dessert King’s Cake.
Mardi Gras Recipes
- Mardi Gras Cinnamon Cupcakes
- Mardi Gras Donuts
- Beignets
- Shrimp Boil
- Cinnamon Muffins
- Cauliflower Dirty Rice
- Easy King’s Cake
What is a cheesecake ball?
Cheesecake ball is a no bake dessert that tastes just like cheesecake but in a dessert dip form that has no baking needed. Served with dippers like fruit and cookies to enjoy the cheesecake ball just like you would cheesecake dip or any other dessert dip.
What to serve with a Dessert Cheese Ball
There are lots of things that pair well with the cheesecake ball for dipping.
Cookies. Vanilla wafers and graham crackers are my favorites but you can also use Oreo cookies and cookie biscuits.
Fruit. Strawberries, apple slices or any other fruit that you enjoy.
Pretzels. For a sweet and salty combination, we love dipping pretzel sticks in our cheesecake ball.
Do I need to refrigerate a Cheesecake Ball?
Yes. Cheesecake Balls need to be stored in the fridge for food safety reasons. I also suggest making it ahead of time and storing it in the fridge to give the flavors time to combine. While you can enjoy the cheesecake ball right after making it, I find it better after it has been stored in the fridge overnight.
How to store a cheesecake ball
Wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap and then place it in an airtight container and store in the fridge. It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Can I freeze a cheesecake ball?
Yes, you can totally make this cheesecake ball and then freeze it. To freeze the cheesecake ball follow all of the directions and then wrap the dessert dip ball in 2 layers of plastic wrap and then put into a freezer bag.
Variations of a Cheesecake Ball
Change up the colored sugar. I made mine for Mardi Gras so I went with purple, yellow and green colored sugar but you can make the colored sugar any color you want to.
Change up the Cheesecake ball toppings. While I used colored sugar you can change out the toppings, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips
Mardi Gras Cheesecake Ball Ingredients
- block of cream cheese. You will want to set the cream cheese out on the counter before getting started so it softens. It is also important to use a block of cream cheese that is full fat instead of whipped cream cheese or a low fat cream cheese.
- Salted butter. You will want to set the cream cheese out on the counter before getting started so it softens.
- sugar. White granulated sugar is the best one to use. I have not tried using sugar alternatives so I do not reccomend using them.
- powdered sugar.
- vanilla cake mix. I use vanilla cake mix, but you can also use funfetti cake mix or party chip vanilla cake mix if you are wanting a vanilla flavored cheesecake with some added things like sprinkles or chocolate chip pieces in the cheesecake dip ball.
- cinnamon.
- vanilla extract. I prefer to always use homemade Vanilla Extract, but you can use store bought, but make sure it is pure vanilla and not imitation vanilla.
- Colored sugar. I make my own colored sugar but if you don’t have any on hand or you don’t want to make it you can use colored sprinkles instead.
How to Make Mardi Gras Cheesecake Ball
Cream the cream cheese, butter, and sugars together in a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. Turn the mixer down to low and stir in the cake mix, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Place the mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap. Bring up all the corners of the plastic wrap and wrap into a ball. Freeze the ball for about  1/2 hours or until it is firm enough to keep its shape.
Unwrap the cheese ball and place it on your plate.
If you are going to make the Cheesecake Cheese Ball just like mine follow these coloring directions, however you can make the sugar any colors that you want to. Carefully sprinkle the purple sugar on the left third of the cheese ball. Than sprinkle the yellow sugar on the center third of the cheese ball. Finally sprinkle the green sugar on the right third of the cheese ball.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate the cheese ball until ready to serve.
Easy Cheesecake Recipes
Cheesecake Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces block cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups vanilla cake mix dry
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Green colored sugar
- 1/2 cup purple sugar
- 1/2 cup yellow colored sugar
Instructions
- Cream the cream cheese, butter, and sugars together in a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. Turn the Mixer down to low and stir in the cake mix, cinnamon and vanilla.
- Place the mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap. Bring up all the corners of the plastic wrap and wrap into a ball. Freeze the ball for about 1/2 hours or until it is firm enough to keep its shape.
- Unwrap the cheese ball and place it on your plate.
- If you are going to make the Cheesecake Cheese Ball just like mine follow these coloring directions, however you can make the sugar any colors that you want to. Carefully sprinkle the purple sugar on the left third of the cheese ball. Than sprinkle the yellow sugar on the center third of the cheese ball. Finally sprinkle the green sugar on the right third of the cheese ball.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate the cheese ball until ready to serve.
- Serve with Vanilla Wafers, graham crackers, fruit, or other cookies.
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