Jolly Pineapple Christmas Balls Recipe for Holiday Cheer

Sweet festive treats like these delightful pineapple Christmas balls sparkle with holiday cheer and nostalgia.

These bite-sized delicacies melt in your mouth with tropical warmth and classic seasonal spirit.

Every Christmas gathering deserves a plate of these irresistible confections that combine smooth coconut and tangy pineapple.

Simple ingredients dance together to create magic in mere minutes.

The recipe requires no baking, making it perfect for busy holiday schedules.

These little gems bring tropical brightness to winter celebrations.

Treat your loved ones to a burst of sunshine wrapped in festive sweetness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 13

Pineapple Christmas Ball Ingredients You’ll Crave

• Cream Cheese: Provides a smooth, creamy foundation that helps bind ingredients together, ensuring rich texture and tangy undertone.
• Graham Crumbs: Adds delightful crunch and nutty warmth, creating structural support for the Christmas balls.

• Crushed Pineapple: Delivers bright, tropical sweetness and moisture, infusing the balls with refreshing fruity essence.
• Pineapple Jello: Intensifies tropical flavor profile and helps set the mixture with gentle gelatin structure.

• Desiccated Coconut: Creates elegant snow-white exterior, adds delicate tropical crunch, and provides festive winter-like appearance for Christmas treat.

Tools for Rolling These Sweet Holiday Treats

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients smoothly and comfortably.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Perfect for beating cream cheese and blending ingredients until creamy.
• Spatula: Crucial for scraping down bowl sides and ensuring thorough mixing.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately portion coconut and graham crumbs.
• Food-safe container: Ideal for storing and chilling the Christmas balls.
• Tablespoon: Great for portioning and shaping uniform balls.
• Plate or shallow dish: Useful for rolling balls in coconut coating.

How to Make Pineapple Balls That Hold Their Shape

• Creamy Foundation

Soften cream cheese until it reaches room temperature, ensuring a smooth base for your delightful treat.

• Tropical Fusion

Blend cream cheese with zesty pineapple, coconut flakes, graham crumbs, and pineapple jello powder until the mixture becomes a uniform, sticky delight.

• Chill Session

Refrigerate the mixture for one hour, allowing flavors to meld and texture to firm up perfectly.

• Ball Creation

Scoop small portions and roll into bite-sized spheres, generously coating each with additional coconut for a festive snowball appearance.

• Celebration Storage

Transfer the sparkling tropical treats to a sealed container and keep chilled until serving. These sweet bites are perfect for holiday gatherings and will vanish quickly from the dessert table.

Additions to Customize Each Batch Just for You

• Tropical Taste Boosters: Pineapple Christmas Balls Extras
• Flavor Fusion: Experiment with adding a splash of rum or coconut extract to the mixture for an adult-friendly twist that elevates the tropical essence.
• Nutty Texture Twist: Sprinkle crushed macadamia or toasted almonds alongside the coconut coating for an unexpected crunch and rich nutty undertone.
• Make-Ahead Magic: These delightful treats can be prepared up to a week in advance, storing perfectly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, which makes holiday entertaining stress-free.
• Decorative Delight: For an elegant presentation, drizzle melted white chocolate over the chilled balls or roll some in colored sugar crystals to match your holiday theme.
• Dietary Dance: Swap graham crumbs with gluten-free alternatives and use reduced-fat cream cheese to create a lighter version that still maintains the original tropical charm.

Serving Ideas for Pineapple Christmas Balls

• Festive Party Platter: Arrange these delightful Pineapple Christmas Balls on a beautiful holiday-themed serving tray, creating a stunning centerpiece that will wow your guests with their snowy white coconut coating and bite-sized charm.
• Dessert Companion Delight: Pair these sweet treats with hot cocoa, mulled wine, or a creamy eggnog to enhance the holiday flavor experience and provide a complementary taste sensation that brings warmth to your gathering.
• Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package these adorable balls in clear treat bags tied with festive ribbons, making them a perfect homemade holiday gift for neighbors, colleagues, or family members who appreciate unique seasonal sweets.
• Elegant Dessert Buffet Addition: Scatter these pineapple balls among other holiday treats like cookies and brownies, creating a visually appealing dessert spread that offers guests a tropical twist on traditional Christmas goodies.

How to Keep Pineapple Christmas Balls Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store Pineapple Christmas Balls in an airtight container lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain fresh texture. Stack them carefully to maximize space and protect delicate surfaces.
• Chilling Duration Wisdom: Keep treats refrigerated for up to 5-7 days. Cold temperatures help maintain their shape and prevent ingredients from softening too quickly, ensuring consistent taste and texture throughout the week.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these festive bites 2-3 days before your holiday gathering. Preparation in advance allows flavors to meld beautifully and reduces kitchen stress during busy celebration times.
• Smart Freezing Technique: Want longer storage? Wrap individual balls in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe containers, and freeze up to 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving, maintaining their delightful coconut-covered appearance and creamy consistency.

Festive Pineapple Christmas Balls Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

These delightful pineapple Christmas balls embody festive cheer with tropical sweetness. Brazilian bakers craft these delectable treats, blending coconut, condensed milk, and fresh pineapple into irresistible bite-sized delights you’ll savor during holiday celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 oz (85 grams) pineapple jello packet
• 8 oz (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 398 mL (13.4 fl oz) canned crushed pineapple, very well drained
• 2 cups (480 mL) unsweetened fine desiccated coconut
• ½ cup (120 mL) graham crumbs

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Instructions

1. Mix Preparation: Whip softened cream cheese in a spacious bowl until achieving a silky, uniform texture using an electric mixer.
2. Ingredient Incorporation: Gently fold thoroughly drained crushed pineapple into the cream cheese, ensuring minimal moisture retention while maintaining a cohesive mixture.
3. Flavor and Binding: Sprinkle pineapple jello powder and graham cracker crumbs into the blend, stirring meticulously to create an even distribution and consistent flavor profile.
4. Coconut Integration: Fold half the desiccated coconut into the mixture, developing a rich, tropical-inspired foundation with enhanced textural complexity.
5. Chilling and Firming: Refrigerate the prepared mixture for one hour, allowing it to solidify and become more manageable for shaping.
6. Forming and Coating: Using clean hands, carefully craft uniform spheres and roll each ball generously in the remaining coconut, creating a festive, snow-white exterior that provides both visual appeal and delightful crunch.
7. Storage and Serving: Place completed pineapple balls in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper, and refrigerate until ready to serve, enabling flavor melding and maintaining optimal texture.

Notes

• Smooth Cream Cheese Technique: Ensure cream cheese is completely softened at room temperature for effortless mixing and a silky-smooth texture that prevents lumps.
• Drain Pineapple Thoroughly: Pat crushed pineapple with paper towels to remove excess moisture, preventing soggy pineapple balls and maintaining the perfect consistency.
• Coconut Coating Trick: Roll balls immediately after chilling for the best coconut adhesion, creating a beautiful, even white exterior that looks professionally prepared.
• Storage Smart Move: Keep pineapple balls in a single layer between parchment paper to maintain their shape and prevent sticking, ensuring maximum freshness for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg