Description
A bright, creamy holiday confection: soft cream cheese melded with juicy pineapple, shaped into little spheres and rolled in coconut for a festive bite.
Ingredients
- Canned pineapple chunks — well drained and blotted dry
- Cream cheese — softened to room temperature
- Confectioners’ (powdered) sugar
- Desiccated or shredded coconut — plus extra for rolling
- Chopped nuts (optional) — pecans or walnuts work nicely
Instructions
- Prep the fruit. Drain the pineapple in a sieve, then press the pieces between paper towels to remove as much liquid as possible. Excess moisture will prevent the mixture from setting firmly.
- Whip the base. In a roomy bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar until the mixture is silky and uniform.
- Fold in pineapple. Gently incorporate the dried pineapple pieces (and chopped nuts, if using) into the cream cheese mixture so the fruit is evenly distributed.
- Shape the balls. Scoop out small portions (about golf-ball size) with a spoon or scoop and roll them quickly between your palms to form smooth rounds. If the mixture sticks, chill it briefly.
- Coat and chill. Roll each ball in the extra shredded coconut until fully covered, then arrange them on a parchment-lined tray. Refrigerate for at least an hour so they firm up.
- Serve cold. Present chilled, optionally sprinkled with extra coconut or nut pieces right before serving.
Notes
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Dry well: Pat the pineapple dry — this step is essential for a stable texture.
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Texture swap: Pulse the pineapple briefly in a food processor for a smoother filling.
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Coating ideas: Use chopped pistachios, crushed candy canes, or tempered chocolate instead of coconut for a twist.
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Make-ahead: Prepare the balls up to 48 hours in advance and keep them refrigerated in an airtight container.
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Freezing: For longer storage, freeze uncoated balls on a sheet tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge before rolling in coconut.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg