Description
Festive “Pineapple Christmas Balls” bring Caribbean warmth to holiday dessert tables with their sweet tropical essence. Creamy coconut and zesty pineapple merge into delightful bite-sized treats you’ll crave all season long.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Binding Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
Coating/Decoration:
- 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare a clean, spacious work surface and gather all ingredients, ensuring cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for optimal blending.
- Thoroughly drain crushed pineapple using a fine-mesh strainer, gently pressing to remove excess moisture and prevent soggy texture.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, softened butter, and powdered sugar, whisking until smooth and fully integrated.
- Fold in shredded coconut and drained pineapple, mixing gently but thoroughly to create a uniform, cohesive mixture.
- Add vanilla extract, stirring carefully to distribute the flavor evenly throughout the mixture.
- Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to shape into balls.
- Using clean hands, roll the chilled mixture into compact, uniform spheres approximately 1-inch in diameter.
- Prepare a separate shallow dish with sweetened coconut flakes and additional powdered sugar for coating.
- Gently roll each ball in the coconut-sugar mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Place coated balls on a parchment-lined tray, maintaining slight separation to prevent sticking.
- Refrigerate for an additional 1 hour to set and enhance flavor melding.
- Serve chilled and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Drain pineapple thoroughly to prevent excess moisture, which could make the balls soggy and lose their delightful texture.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for smoother blending and easier mixing, ensuring a creamy, consistent base.
- Chill the mixture before shaping to make rolling balls easier and maintain a firm, compact structure that holds together perfectly.
- Experiment with coating variations like toasted coconut, finely chopped nuts, or festive sprinkles for added crunch and visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Rolling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg