This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Not your average Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball, this one is covered in Muddy Buddies for the ultimate party treat. So easy to make with only 7 ingredients, this epic dessert dip is impossible to resist. Serve with fruit, cookies, or pretzels and watch your friends and family make it disappear!
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: No-bake
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free
- Skill Level: Easy
The Most Epic Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball Ever
When it comes to cheese balls, your first thought might be the traditionally savory appetizer that combines cream cheese, shredded cheese, and herbs, spices, or other mix-ins, like this Pineapple Ham Cheese Ball. However, my sweet tooth loves the concept of dessert cheese balls! And while I’ve seen plenty of chocolate chip cheese ball recipes out there, when I hear “chocolate”, my brain immediately thinks “and peanut butter”, whether it’s my Flourless Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownies or a Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie.
But covering my peanut butter chocolate chip cheese ball in chocolate and peanut butter chips seemed so, well, boring. But what else is chunky and chocolaty and peanut buttery? Muddy Buddies (aka Puppy Chow)! Yes, this fun party food combines a deliciously sweet cream cheese dip with everyone’s favorite cereal snack mix. And it truly makes this treat an incredible indulgence. Here’s why you’ll love it…
- Just a few ingredients. Yes, between the cheese ball itself and the coating, you only need 7 ingredients, plus whatever you choose for dipping.
- Lots of dippable options. Speaking of dipping, you can keep things sweet and use cookies, balance out the decadence with fruit, or go with a sweet and salty combo and try some pretzels. I’l share more ideas below.
- Easy to customize. Start with this base recipe and swap or skip the peanut butter or chips, then coat it with any of your favorite Muddy Buddies recipes for a different flavor combo. Again, I’ll give you some suggestions to get you started.
- Gluten free. Yes, since most varieties of Chex are gluten free, this is a perfect treat to make if you have to avoid gluten, just choose what you plan to dip carefully, and watch out for anyone double-dipping!
What You’ll Need
Here’s a brief rundown of what you’ll need to make this peanut butter chocolate chip cheese ball. You’ll notice that there are some common ingredients between the cheese ball and the Muddy Buddies coating, so overall, there are only 7 ingredients. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full amounts and detailed instructions.
For the cheese ball
- Cream cheese. Regular or low fat will work fine. I do not recommend using fat free, though. Let it soften to room temperature.
- Butter. Unsalted is best in this case, and again, you will want it at room temperature in order to blend easily.
- Powdered sugar. If your’s is extra lumpy, you can sift it to make it blend more smoothly.
- Pure vanilla extract.
- Mini chocolate chips. Regular-size semisweet chocolate chips can be used, but I prefer the mini as they distribute more evenly, making it feel more chocolaty.
- Peanut butter. You can use creamy or chunky, depending on your preference. For this recipe, I do recommend a no-stir peanut butter, preferable one that already contains salt, versus a pure, natural peanut butter.
For the Muddy Buddies coating
- Chex cereal. You can use any variety of Chex. I recommend rice or corn, and you’ll need to avoid the wheat variety if you need a gluten free cheese ball recipe. The flavored varieties such as Chocolate Chex, Peanut Butter Chex, and Vanilla Chex will also work, though they may make it extra sweet.
- Semisweet chocolate chips. The minis will be fine if that’s what you have for making these cream cheese filling.
- Peanut butter. Creamy is preferred, but either will do.
- Butter. Again, you’ll want unsalted as the peanut butter provides plenty of salt.
- Powdered sugar.
- Pure vanilla extract.
What to Serve With a Sweet Cheese Ball
- Cookies – crispy cookies are better than soft, chewy cookies as they hold up better to dipping into the chilled cheese ball. Store-bought graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or chocolate sandwich cookies are perfect, and gluten free options, like the Gluten Free Vanilla Mini Cookies in the pictures, are great options. See just below for some homemade options.
- Fruit – apple and pear slices are best for dipping. If you use a small spreader knife, you can smear it onto strawberries or banana slices.
- Pretzels – if you love the sweet and salty combo, try pretzels for something a little different.
Homemade Gluten Free Cookies for Dipping
Tips for Success
- Use a shortcut. If you are pressed for time, pick up a bag of Muddy Buddies Chex Mix and crush about 2 cups of them to coat the peanut butter chocolate chip cheese ball. A word of caution, this is NOT an option if you are gluten free!
- Make it ahead. The cheese ball needs to chill in the fridge for at least several hours anyway, but it can definitely hang out in the fridge wrapped up in plastic wrap for a few days. And the Muddy Buddies are good in a plastic storage bag or airtight container for several days as well. Roll the ball in the coating right before you are ready to serve or take it to a party.
- Chill it fast. You can chill it more quickly by putting the wrapped ball in the freezer for about an hour. It won’t be firm all the way through, but it should be set enough that you can coat it and serve it on a platter.
- Peanut-free option. You can substitute sunflower seed butter for the peanut butter. You can also omit the peanut butter swirl and just make a chocolate chip cheese ball. Then cover it with more chocolate chips, crushed Oreos, or just make Chocolate Muddy Buddies without peanut butter.
- Serve as a dip. You can totally turn this into a Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Dip. Just spread it into a glass pie plate or other dish and sprinkle the Puppy Chow mix on top.
Variations
With the endless varieties of Muddy Buddies recipes out there, you have countless ways you can change up this dessert cheese ball. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Almond Joy. Swap the peanut butter for almond butter and mix some shredded coconut into the cream cheese mixture. Coat it with Chocolate Coconut Almond Butter Muddy Buddies.
- Caramel Chai. Skip the peanut butter, add a drizzle of Dulce de Leche and a sprinkle of cinnamon, and swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate or cinnamon chips. Roll it in Chai White Chocolate Puppy Chow.
- Key Lime Pie. Omit the peanut butter, sprinkle in some lime zest, and use white chocolate chips instead of semisweet. Cover it with Key Lime Pie Muddy Buddies.
- Salted Caramel. Replace the peanut butter with Caramel Sauce and use Salted Caramel Puppy Chow from The Cookie Rookie as the coating.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball
This Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball is coated in Muddy Buddies for the ultimate party treat. Easy to make with just 7 ingredients and perfect with fruit, cookies, or pretzels!
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients
For the cheese ball:
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature (regular or low fat)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (half a stick)
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
- cookies, graham crackers, apple or pear slices, pretzels, etc. for dipping
For the Muddy Buddies coating:
- 2 cups Chex cereal (any variety), slightly crushed (use Rice or Corn Chex to make it gluten free)
- 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
For the cheese ball:
- In a medium bowl, combine 8 oz. cream cheese, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Using a spatula or an electric hand mixer, blend everything together until smooth. Stir in 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips.
- Lay a piece of plastic wrap on your work surface and transfer the cream cheese mixture to the plastic wrap. Spread out slightly and drizzle or spread 2 Tablespoons peanut butter over the mixture.
- Using the plastic wrap, form the mixture into a ball, and wrap tightly. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours or overnight.
- While the cheese ball is chilling, prepare the Muddy Buddies coating.
- Just before serving, spread the Muddy Buddies on a plate or baking sheet. Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Place it on top of the Muddy Buddies and roll around to coat completely. You may have some extra.
- Place the ball on a serving platter and scatter any extra Muddy Buddies around it. Serve with cookies, graham crackers, apple or pear slices, pretzels, etc. for dipping.
For the Muddy Buddies coating:
- Place 2 cups Chex cereal (any variety), slightly crushed, in a large bowl.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 2 Tablespoons peanut butter, and 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, then microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each until fully melted and smooth. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir until coated.
- Add 1/2 cup powdered sugar to a large plastic storage bag, and transfer the cereal mixture to the bag with the powdered sugar. Seal the bag and shake until coated.
- Spread on wax paper to cool completely. Store in a plastic storage bag or an airtight container until needed.
Notes
If you need to chill the cheese ball quickly, you can put it in the freezer for about an hour. It will not be firm all the way through, but the outside would be chilled enough to roll it in the coating. You can also spread the cream cheese mixture in a glass pie plate or dish and top with the Muddy Buddies.
Nutrition Facts
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 149
Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Cholesterol 22mg7%
Sodium 74mg3%
Potassium 60mg2%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 319IU6%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 26mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.
Did you make this?
Leave a rating below and tag @cupcakesandkalechips on Instagram and hashtag it #cupcakesandkalechips
