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This dessert nails that soft sweet crunch—Reese's Cheese Ball Peanut Butter Bliss is always a hit at gatherings. With a mix of tangy cream cheese and loads of candies and chocolate, you’ll find yourself sneaking seconds. It’s the first thing to go every time.
The first time I made this, it vanished before birthday cake even made it to the table. Trust me, people adore this one—it’s always gone in a flash.
Irresistible Ingredients
- For serving: graham crackers, vanilla wafers, crisp apple slices, strawberries, or pretzels—go for the sturdiest ones for dipping
- Peanut butter cups: a quarter cup chopped up fine for rolling the outside adds something extra
- Additional mini chocolate chips: use a fourth cup for giving the outside a little chocolate snap
- Additional Reese’s Pieces: quarter cup pressed into the outside for color and crunch
- Peanut butter cups: half a cup chopped rough (totally optional) makes it even richer—chop just before adding for the freshest taste
- Mini chocolate chips: half a cup stirred through so every bite is chocolatey; semi sweet works great
- Mini Reese’s Pieces: a full cup folded in for candy crunch and big peanut butter flavor
- Vanilla extract: one teaspoon for a cozy note—pure is best
- Brown sugar: quarter cup gives a caramel vibe; grab the soft kind if you can
- Powdered sugar: half cup for smooth sweetness—sifting keeps it from clumping
- Creamy peanut butter: half cup brings the classic peanut punch; any kind that’s well mixed works
- Cream cheese: eight ounces, left out to get soft for easy mixing—choose a good full fat block for best results
Simple Walkthrough
- Dive In and Enjoy:
- Set your cheese ball on a nice plate. Let it hang out for about 15 to 20 minutes so it’s easier to spread, then surround with graham crackers or fruit. Got leftovers? Wrap them up and pop back in the fridge. Good for three days.
- Roll and Dress:
- Take the chilled cheese ball, unwrap, and roll in the candy mix. Press the good stuff in gently till all the sides are covered and it looks party-ready.
- Get the Candy Topping Ready:
- While you wait, mix your chopped candies, extra Reese’s Pieces, and mini chocolate chips in a small bowl. Make sure they’re chopped fine so they stick on well.
- Chill Until Set:
- Once it’s roughly ball-shaped, fully wrap it in plastic and stash it in the fridge. Give it at least an hour or leave it overnight. It’ll firm up and hold shape for rolling later.
- Mold That Ball:
- Lay out a big sheet of plastic wrap. Plop your mixture onto it, then use the wrap to help you shape it into a rough ball. Don’t stress if it’s not perfect—it’ll settle as it chills.
- Bring in the Candies:
- Fold mini Reese’s Pieces, chocolate chips, and peanut butter cups into your fluffy base. Be gentle—just enough so every scoop is loaded, not smashed.
- Sugar and Fluff Time:
- Now add powdered sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Start mixing slowly, bump up to medium once things blend. Stop when it’s light, creamy, and looks like it’ll hold together easily.
- Start With the Creamy Stuff:
- Throw your soft cream cheese and peanut butter into a big bowl. Use a hand mixer on medium for a couple minutes till there are no lumps left. This gives you a smooth base.
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Chopped peanut butter cups really boost the flavor for me. My niece helped stick candies to the outside during Christmas—now she makes sure we have it every time. It’s a sweet family thing for us now.
Storing Your Cheese Ball
Wrap it up tight in clean plastic before sticking in the fridge—that keeps it moist and stops it from picking up weird fridge smells. For longer storage, keep the extra candy outside and only roll before serving for fresh crunch and color.
Clever Swaps To Try
Not big on Reese’s? Use mini M&Ms instead to tone down the peanut butter. Almond butter totally works too. Swap in dark chocolate chunks for a bolder twist. Want less sweet? Cut the sugars by a third and toss in a bit of salt.
Easy Serving Tips
Pile strawberries, apple slices, pretzels, and crackers all around. Our crew loves dipping chocolate-covered pretzels for more crunch. Spread out your dippers in a circle so everybody gets a turn, and put out a little knife or spreader for mess-free scooping.
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Sweet Treat Traditions
Sweets like this cheese ball have roots in old-fashioned American potlucks and holidays. They were big at parties in the 1950s, but now we jazz them up with loads of candies. My family spotted it in an old magazine and ever since, we make it for every big party.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How long can I make it before a party?
Whip it up as early as three days before. Just keep it wrapped and in the fridge. Set it out about 20 minutes ahead so it softens up a bit.
- → What should I dip with?
Pretzels, fruit like apples or strawberries, graham crackers, and vanilla wafers all taste awesome as dippers.
- → Can I swap out the candies?
Change things up with any candies or go with holiday themes. Want more crunch? Chopped nuts work too.
- → Do I really need to chill it before rolling?
Yep—chilling helps it set so you can shape and coat it easily. The outside sticks better too.
- → Is crunchy peanut butter okay?
Creamy peanut butter works best for smoothness, but chunky is fine if you like extra bites.