Desserts

Christmas Cookie Dough Cheeseball

This Christmas Cookie Dough Cheeseball is a festive, no-bake crowd pleaser. It looks like a candy ornament with bright sprinkles and smells like vanilla and butter. The center is creamy and sweet with little bursts of chocolate. It’s great for holiday parties because it’s quick to make and easy to dip. If you enjoy seasonal twists on classic treats, you might also like this Apple Cider Doughnut Cookies recipe for another cozy snack.

Recipe Information

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour (chill time)
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Difficulty Level: Easy

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving: 340 kcal (approx.)
Protein: 3 g
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Fat: 18 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 20 g
Sodium: 150 mg

Why Make This Christmas Cookie Dough Cheeseball

This cheeseball captures the flavor of raw cookie dough but is safe and rich, thanks to cooked or heat-treated flour options (see tips). It’s festive, colorful, and creamy. The texture is smooth and slightly dense, with crunchy mini chocolate chips and a pop of sugar from the sprinkles. It requires no baking, so you can make it last minute. It holds up on a party table and looks pretty surrounded by crackers and cookies.

How to Make Christmas Cookie Dough Cheeseball

This recipe is simple. You’ll cream butter and cream cheese, sweeten them, then fold in flour, chocolate chips, and sprinkles. Chill to firm up, then roll in more sprinkles so it sparkles. Follow the clear steps below to get a smooth, scoopable cheeseball that is easy to serve.

Ingredients:

1 cup cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup butter, softened, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup mini chocolate chips, 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles, Graham crackers or cookies for serving

Directions:

Step 1: Preparation

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Make sure both are at room temperature so they blend without lumps. This gives you a creamy base with a rich, buttery aroma.

Step 2: Mixing

Gradually add the brown sugar and granulated sugar, mixing until well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture should taste sweet and fragrant. Slowly mix in the flour until fully incorporated. The dough will thicken and resemble cookie dough.

Step 3: Cooking

Fold in the mini chocolate chips and half of the holiday sprinkles. These add texture and festive color. (If you’re concerned about raw flour, use heat-treated flour—see tips.)

Step 4: Finishing

Shape the mixture into a ball and cover with the remaining sprinkles. Refrigerate for at least an hour to firm up. When cold and set, serve with graham crackers or cookies for dipping. The chilled cheeseball will be firm on the outside and soft inside, with melted chocolate pockets as it warms on the cracker.

How to Serve Christmas Cookie Dough Cheeseball

Place the cheeseball on a decorative platter. Surround it with graham crackers, shortbread, vanilla wafers, or fruit slices like apple or pear. For parties, set small spreaders nearby so guests can scoop. The cheeseball looks festive when paused with extra sprinkles or a little ribbon for holiday gatherings. Serve chilled — it’s creamy and cool with sweet, buttery flavor.

How to Store Christmas Cookie Dough Cheeseball

Refrigerator: Store covered in plastic wrap or an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keeps texture firm and flavors bright.
Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic and foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Note: If you add crackers to the plate, serve them separately so they stay crisp.

Expert Tips for Perfect Christmas Cookie Dough Cheeseball

Use room-temperature cream cheese and butter so they whip smooth and avoid lumps.
If you worry about raw flour, heat-treat it: spread flour on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes, or microwave in short bursts until it reaches 165°F, then cool.
Chill long enough. At least 1 hour makes shaping and serving easier. For firmer texture, chill 2–3 hours.
Don’t overmix once you add the flour — stop as soon as it’s combined to keep the texture soft.
Swap sprinkles for chopped nuts or crushed peppermint for a different look and crunch.
For a larger crowd, double the recipe and chill in a loaf pan before shaping to save time.

Delicious Variations

Chocolate Lovers: Use chocolate cream cheese or fold in cocoa powder and extra chocolate chips.
Peppermint Twist: Replace half the sprinkles with crushed peppermint and add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract.
Nutty Holiday: Fold in 1/2 cup chopped pecans or almonds for crunch. Roll the ball in crushed nuts instead of sprinkles.
Peanut Butter: Swap 1/4 cup of the butter with creamy peanut butter for a nutty cookie-dough flavor.
Gluten-Free: Use a trusted 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free chocolate chips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it safe to eat the raw flour in this recipe?
A: Raw flour can contain harmful bacteria. To be safe, heat-treat the flour before using. Spread it on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5 minutes, or microwave in short bursts until it reaches 165°F. Then cool before mixing.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. You can make it 1–2 days ahead and keep it refrigerated. Chilling helps flavors meld. If freezing, use within a month and thaw overnight in the fridge.

Q: How long will the cheeseball hold at a party out of the fridge?
A: Keep it out for no more than 2 hours at room temperature. If the room is warm, return it to the fridge sooner to keep the texture firm and safe.

Q: Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
A: Yes, but the texture will be less rich and slightly tangier. Consider adding a tablespoon of butter or a splash of cream for extra richness.

Q: Can I add alcohol like bourbon or rum for an adult twist?
A: Yes — add 1–2 tablespoons of bourbon or dark rum when you add the vanilla. Mix well and taste; alcohol will slightly loosen the mixture, so you may need extra flour to achieve the same firmness.

Q: What if I don’t have mini chocolate chips?
A: Chop regular chocolate chips or a chocolate bar into small pieces. White chocolate chips also work for a different flavor.

Conclusion

This Christmas Cookie Dough Cheeseball is a quick, festive treat that looks and tastes like holiday joy in a scoop. It’s creamy, buttery, and sweet with little bursts of chocolate and colorful sprinkles. Try it for cookie exchanges, family gatherings, or a cozy night in. For another version and serving ideas, check out this linked recipe: Christmas Cookie Dough Cheeseball – Together as Family. Enjoy making it — and have fun sharing!