Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball is the best dessert cheese ball recipe to serve with graham crackers and cookies. It’s made with brown sugar so it tastes like a cookie dough cheese ball without the baking!


Close up of Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball


Here we are, the day before Thanksgiving.

Are you ready? Is your menu all planned out or do you usually scramble at the last minute?

My family practically has the same menu each year, so no scrambling for us.

If you are scrambling, check out my Thanksgiving Dinner For Two for ideas (or Christmas Dinner For Two if you’re reading this later in December).

I also like to think the holidays kick off the season for get togethers and parties, which means you need some good party food like this Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball.

Now I’ve made savory cheese balls before with Bacon Cheese Ball, Mini Jalapeno Popper Cheese Balls, and Goat Cheese Balls.

I’ve also made a previous dessert cheese ball with Chocolate Cheese Ball.

This chocolate chip cheeseball comes from my childhood with one small change. Normally it’s white because it’s made from cream cheese and powdered sugar.

However, I took it a step further and added brown sugar, making it a brown Cookie Dough Cheese Ball. So really it’s like you’re eating chocolate chip cookie dough dip.

Normally we ate our sweet cheese ball while watching tv, but you can also serve it at your Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties.

Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Ingredients For Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

To make your chocolate chip cheeseball, gather the following ingredients:

  • Cream cheese: Make sure you’re using a block of full-fat cream cheese. Using low fat, fat free, or whipped will change the texture and may even leave your cheeseball a little watery.
  • Butter: Helps balance the tanginess of the cream cheese. Do not use margarine.
  • Powdered sugar: Helps sweeten and thicken your cheese ball
  • Brown sugar: Gives it a chocolate chip cookie taste
  • Salt: Enhances the flavor but can omit if using salted butter.
  • Vanilla: Also enhances the flavor
  • Chocolate chips:Can use semisweet or dark chocolate chips.

Close up of chocolate chip cheeseball on knife

How To Make A Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Making a homemade cheese ball is easy! Here’s how to do it:

Making chocolate chip cheeseball recipe

Beat together the cream cheese, butter, both sugars, vanilla, and salt.

Adding chocolate chip to dessert cheese ball
Stirring in chocolate chips for chocolate chip cheeseball

Add half your chocolate chips.

Rolling chocolate chip cheese ball into a ball

Form a ball then chill. Once firm, roll in remaining chocolate chips.

That’s it! Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball rolled in chocolate chips

Can you freeze chocolate chip cheese ball?

Yes, you can freeze your chocolate chip cheeseball! Although I recommend freezing it before rolling it in chocolate chips.

Wrap your sweet cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before freezing for up to 1 month. If you’re worried about it getting squished, put it in a plastic container.

When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling in chocolate chips and serving.


Sweet cheese ball on a plate with graham crackers

What To Serve With Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Because a dessert cheese ball is much sweeter than a savory one, serve it with cinnamon graham crackers, chocolate graham crackers, and small batch chocolate chip cookies.

If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can even make homemade graham crackers from Culinary Hill.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball FAQ

How long can I store the chocolate chip cheese ball?

Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Can I make cheese ball ahead of time?

Yes, make your sweet cheese ball up to 2 days ahead of time.

Can I add nuts?

Yes! Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the chocolate chips.

Why is my cheese ball too soft to roll?

Either your cream cheese got too warm or you’re using low fat or fat free cream cheese (which often has a higher water content than full-fat). If that’s the case, you can eat your cheeseball like a dip.

More Chocolate Chip Recipes

Love chocolate chips? Check out these other recipes using chocolate chips:

Close up of Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Yield: 6-8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball is the best dessert cheese ball recipe to serve with graham crackers and cookies. It’s like eating chocolate chip cookie dough dip without the baking!

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces (1 block or 8 tablespoons) full-fat cream cheese, softened (do not use low fat, fat free, or whipped)
  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces or 8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt (omit if using salted butter)
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl on medium-high speed (using paddle attachment if using stand mixer), beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt. Scrape down the bowl then stir in 1 cup chocolate chips.
  2. Transfer the mixture onto plastic wrap and form the mixture into a ball. Refrigerate at least 4 hours to firm up.

    If you're having trouble forming a ball, let it chill 1 hour then try again.
  3. In a small shallow bowl or plate, add the remaining 1 cup chocolate chips. Unwrap the cheese ball and roll into the chocolate chips until completely covered. Serve with graham crackers or cookies.

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month..

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipes

First published November 20, 2014