Festive Pineapple Christmas Balls Recipe with Coconut and Cheer

Festive pineapple Christmas balls burst with tropical sweetness and holiday cheer, elevateing traditional dessert expectations.

These delightful treats capture the essence of seasonal celebration through a unique culinary fusion.

Combining rich textures and unexpected flavor profiles, these delectable bites bring excitement to any gathering.

Soft, creamy ingredients merge with tropical notes, creating a mouthwatering sensation that surprises and delights.

Compact and elegant, these Christmas balls offer a playful twist on conventional dessert preparations.

Home bakers can easily craft these delightful morsels with minimal kitchen expertise and standard pantry ingredients.

Each bite promises a journey of taste that bridges familiar comfort with innovative excitement.

Why Pineapple Christmas Balls Are a Sweet Holiday Treat

• Burst with Tropical Flavor: Experience a delightful blend of pineapple and coconut that transports you to a sunny paradise, making these Christmas balls a unique and exciting treat.
• No-Bake Dessert Delight: Whip up these easy-to-make balls without turning on the oven, saving time and reducing holiday kitchen stress while creating a delicious festive dessert.
• Quick and Elegant Crowd-Pleaser: Impress guests with minimal effort, as these bite-sized treats come together in under an hour and look professionally crafted with their coconut-rolled exterior.
• Festive Holiday Texture Sensation: Enjoy the perfect balance of creamy cream cheese, chewy pineapple, and crisp coconut coating that melts in your mouth with each delightful bite.

What You’ll Need for Pineapple Christmas Balls

• Canned Crushed Pineapple: Tropical fruit that provides moisture and sweet tang, key to the recipe's unique flavor profile.
• Cream Cheese: Smooth, rich base that binds ingredients together and adds creamy texture.

• Unsweetened Desiccated Coconut, Graham Crumbs: Provide structure, texture, and a complementary nutty background to the pineapple.

• Pineapple Jello: Intensifies pineapple flavor and helps set the mixture with a bright, sweet jellied element.

How to Make Pineapple Christmas Balls Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare Creamy Base

Gather cream cheese at room temperature and place in a large mixing bowl. Whip with an electric mixer until completely smooth and velvety, eliminating any lumps for a perfect texture.

Step 2: Create Flavor Fusion

• Cream cheese
• Crushed pineapple (thoroughly drained)
• Desiccated coconut
• Graham cracker crumbs
• Pineapple gelatin powder

Mix ingredients thoroughly until they form a consistent, sticky mixture.

Step 3: Chill and Solidify

Cover the mixture with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 60-90 minutes, allowing the mixture to firm up and become easier to handle.

Step 4: Shape Delightful Treats

Remove chilled mixture from refrigerator. Using clean hands, roll small portions into bite-sized spheres. Gently coat each ball in additional desiccated coconut, creating a festive snow-like exterior.

Step 5: Arrange and Store

Place finished tropical treats on a serving platter or in an airtight container. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve. Best enjoyed chilled within 3-4 days of preparation.

• Ensure pineapple is completely drained to prevent excess moisture
• Use cold hands when rolling to prevent sticking
• For extra flavor, lightly toast coconut before coating

Serving Suggestion: Perfect for holiday gatherings, dessert tables, or as a sweet afternoon snack.

Quick Tips for Pineapple Christmas Balls Success

• Drain Thoroughly: Squeeze excess moisture from crushed pineapple using a clean kitchen towel to prevent soggy balls and ensure perfect texture.
• Chill Before Rolling: Refrigerate mixture for at least 1-2 hours to make rolling easier and help balls maintain their shape without falling apart.
• Use Cold Hands: Briefly run hands under cold water and dry before rolling to prevent mixture from sticking and create smoother, more uniform balls.
• Choose Fine Coconut: Select finely shredded desiccated coconut for a more elegant coating that sticks better and provides a delicate, even coverage.
• Make Ahead Friendly: Prepare these festive treats up to 3-4 days in advance and store in an airtight container, allowing flavors to meld and making holiday preparation stress-free.

Storing and Serving Pineapple Christmas Balls

• Refrigerate Immediately: Store Pineapple Christmas Balls in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Freeze for Long-Term: Wrap individual balls in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer-safe container, and store up to 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Gentle Reheating: If desired, let the balls sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance their creamy texture. Avoid microwaving, as this can make the coconut coating soggy and compromise the delicate consistency.

Best Pairings for Pineapple Christmas Balls

• Boost Tropical Flavor Pairing: Serve these pineapple Christmas balls alongside a chilled piña colada mocktail to enhance the tropical pineapple notes and create a festive, refreshing experience.
• Complement Sweet Texture: Pair with a light, crisp white wine like Moscato or Riesling, which will balance the creamy coconut texture and provide a delightful contrast to the sweet dessert.
• Add Contrasting Crunch: Accompany with roasted macadamia nuts or almond brittle to introduce a crunchy element that complements the smooth, soft texture of the Christmas balls.
• Enhance Dessert Experience: Serve with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to create a luxurious, creamy combination that elevates the pineapple and coconut flavors.

Fun Variations on Pineapple Christmas Balls

• Tropical Rum Splash: Enhance the flavor by adding a tablespoon of rum extract to the cream cheese mixture, creating a boozy adult version of the festive treat.
• Nutty Crunch Delight: Mix chopped macadamia or pecans into the mixture and roll the balls in toasted almond slivers for an added crunch and nutty undertone.
• Citrus Zinger: Incorporate fresh orange or lime zest into the cream cheese base to brighten the pineapple flavor and add a tangy kick to the sweet balls.
• Chocolate Coconut Dream: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the finished coconut-coated balls or partially dip them for a decadent chocolate-pineapple combination.

Pineapple Christmas Balls Recipe

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4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive pineapple Christmas balls blend tropical sweetness with holiday cheer, offering a delightful twist on traditional desserts. Guests will adore these easy-to-make treats that combine simple ingredients into a memorable seasonal delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 398 milliliters (13.4 fluid ounces) canned crushed pineapple, very well drained
• 3-ounce (85 grams) packet pineapple jello

Coating and Binding Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) unsweetened fine desiccated coconut
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) graham crumbs

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious mixing bowl and add softened cream cheese, ensuring a velvety smooth consistency using an electric mixer or whisk.
2. Incorporate thoroughly drained crushed pineapple into the cream cheese, gently folding to prevent excess moisture.
3. Sprinkle pineapple jello powder and graham cracker crumbs directly into the mixture, stirring until all ingredients are evenly distributed and form a uniform blend.
4. Fold in half of the desiccated coconut, creating a rich, textured base that captures the tropical essence of the dessert.
5. Transfer the mixture into the refrigerator and allow it to chill for approximately 60 minutes, which helps solidify the mixture and enhance its rollability.
6. Remove the chilled mixture from the refrigerator and use clean hands to carefully shape small, uniform spheres, ensuring consistent sizing.
7. Roll each ball generously in the remaining desiccated coconut, creating a festive, snow-like exterior that adds visual appeal and delightful texture.
8. Arrange the completed pineapple balls in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
9. Refrigerate until serving, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to remain firm and delectable.

Notes

• Chill the mixture to help bind ingredients together, preventing crumbly texture and making rolling easier.
• Coconut coating adds festive winter look, providing delightful crunch and complementing sweet pineapple flavor.
• Refrigeration helps maintain ball shape, concentrates flavors, and keeps treats fresh for several days during holiday gatherings.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 165
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg