Description
Salted Caramel Pretzel Cheesecake Balls are a fun, no bake dessert that combines a creamy vanilla cheesecake center with a crunchy salted pretzel and caramel coating, finished with white chocolate drizzle and flaky sea salt. They’re perfect when you need easy dessert ideas after a quick breakfast or simple dinner, and they fit right in with your favorite sweet snack food ideas, party treats, and easy recipe collections for both casual nights and special occasions.
Ingredients
8 oz cream cheese softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 cups salted pretzels finely crushed
3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/2 cup thick caramel sauce divided
4 oz white chocolate chopped
1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable oil
flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside for the cheesecake balls.
2. In a mixing bowl beat the softened cream cheese until completely smooth, then add the powdered sugar, sour cream, vanilla extract, and fine sea salt and mix until thick and creamy.
3. Scoop the cheesecake mixture into tablespoon sized portions, roll each portion into a smooth ball, and arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Chill the cheesecake balls in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes, until very firm and easy to handle.
5. Place the salted pretzels in a bag and crush them into fine crumbs with a rolling pin, then stir the crumbs in a bowl with the melted unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, and about half of the thick caramel sauce until the mixture clumps together.
6. Working with a few at a time, press and roll the chilled cheesecake balls in the pretzel caramel mixture until each ball is completely coated, then return them to the parchment lined tray.
7. Melt the chopped white chocolate with the coconut oil in short bursts in the microwave, stirring until smooth, and gently warm the remaining caramel sauce until it is pourable.
8. Drizzle the coated cheesecake balls with the remaining caramel sauce and the melted white chocolate, then immediately sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top.
9. Chill the finished cheesecake balls until the drizzles are set, then transfer them to an airtight container and keep them refrigerated until serving.
Notes
Chill the cheesecake mixture until it is very firm before shaping and coating the balls; if the centers are too soft, they will collapse and the pretzel coating won’t stick properly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 balls
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 210
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 35
Keywords: salted caramel pretzel cheesecake balls, cheesecake bites, no bake dessert, easy dessert recipe, party food ideas, sweet snack, holiday dessert