Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

I don't normally like to share recipes so close together, but since it is Labor Day weekend, I thought it would be ok to post an absolutely delicious dessert recipe that is so super easy to make, and will have your guests asking for more. This is one of my desserts that is requested at every family gathering, and there is never any left over for me to bring home. Which kind of sucks, because then I have to dig around for some late night sweets that aren't nearly as good as this.

(I ran out of pecans, so had to improvise here. The chocolate chips should be mixed in with the cream cheese, and the ball should be covered in the chopped pecans. Or, for those with nut allergies, omit the pecans altogether and put it together as pictured. Either way is oh, so tasty!)

Ingredients:

1 8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup of butter (no substitutes), softened
3/4 to 1 cup powder sugar (start with 3/4, add more if needed)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Directions:

In medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in powder sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Shape chilled cream cheese mixture into a ball. Wrap with plastic wrap, then chill again for 1 hour.

Roll the cream cheese ball in finely chopped pecans before serving.

Serve with graham cracker sticks (plain or chocolate).


Wishing you all a happy Labor Day Weekend! Will see you all again on Tuesday :)