Salted Caramel Pretzel Cheesecake Balls
Salted Caramel Pretzel Cheesecake Balls are delicious bite-sized treats that blend creamy cheesecake, rich salted caramel, and crunchy salty pretzels. Perfectly balancing sweet and salty flavors with a variety of textures, they’re ideal for parties, gifts, or personal indulgence. These easy-to-make, versatile snacks can be customized and made in advance, offering an irresistible dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 cheesecake balls 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free pretzels substitution)
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup salted caramel sauce
- 1 cup crushed pretzels (keep some pieces larger for texture)
Optional
- 4 oz white or milk chocolate, for dipping or drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheesecake Mixture: Beat the softened cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until the mixture is silky and fully incorporated.
- Add Salted Caramel and Pretzels: Gently fold in the salted caramel sauce and the crushed pretzels, ensuring they are evenly distributed to blend the sweet and salty flavors perfectly.
- Shape the Balls: Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into bite-sized balls, smoothing out any cracks or uneven edges for a polished look.
- Chill to Set: Place the balls on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow them to firm up and for the flavors to meld.
- Optional Chocolate Coating: Melt the white or milk chocolate. Dip each cheesecake ball halfway into the melted chocolate and return them to the tray. Chill again until the chocolate hardens, adding an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for the smoothest mixture and to avoid lumps.
- Do not over-crush pretzels; keep some larger pieces for textural contrast.
- Allow the balls to chill fully to hold their shape and enhance flavor melding.
- Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
- Use homemade or high-quality store-bought salted caramel to elevate the flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: salted caramel, pretzel, cheesecake balls, bite-sized dessert, no bake, sweet and salty snack, party treat