Celebrate the season with tropical flair by whipping up a batch of pineapple Christmas balls. These no-bake delights are the perfect mix of creamy, tangy, and sweet in every festive bite.
Made with just a few simple ingredients, they come together quickly and are a welcome twist from traditional holiday cookies. Ideal for gifting or serving at parties, they disappear fast!
What You’ll Need to Make These Pineapple Christmas Balls
- Cream cheese – Provides the luscious, tangy base that holds everything together and adds rich flavor.
- Crushed pineapple – Brings a juicy, sweet-tart pop that defines the tropical vibe of the recipe.
- Desiccated coconut – Adds texture and natural sweetness, and creates that signature snowy coating.
- Graham cracker crumbs – Offer a subtle nuttiness and structure to balance the moisture of the fruit.
- Pineapple-flavored gelatin mix – Enhances the tropical flavor and helps the balls firm up as they chill.
How to Make These No-Bake Holiday Treats
Start by blending the cream cheese until silky smooth—this creates the perfect canvas for your pineapple mixture. Stir in the drained pineapple, coconut, graham crumbs, and gelatin until the mixture is cohesive.
Chill until firm, then roll into bite-sized spheres. Coat each ball generously in coconut for that festive snowy finish. Serve chilled and enjoy the fruity burst in every bite!
Tips & Twists for Holiday Success
To keep your pineapple Christmas balls from getting too soft, make sure the crushed pineapple is fully drained—press it gently with the back of a spoon through a fine mesh strainer. Room-temperature cream cheese is essential for a smooth, easy blend.
For variation, swap the graham cracker crumbs for crushed vanilla wafers or shortbread cookies to adjust sweetness. You can also add a hint of nutmeg or rum extract for a subtle holiday kick. If you’re feeling creative, mix in chopped maraschino cherries or crushed pecans for added texture and festive flair.
These make-ahead bites are a hit at cookie exchanges and look stunning on dessert platters with a sprinkle of edible glitter or gold dust.
Keeping Your Pineapple Balls Fresh
To keep them at their best, store pineapple Christmas balls in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days and can be made ahead with ease.
If you’d like to freeze them, layer them between parchment in a sealed container and freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving—no reheating needed, just serve chilled!
Pineapple Christmas Balls
Ingredients
- 1 3-ounce packet pineapple-flavored gelatin mix
- 2 cups unsweetened desiccated coconut, divided
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 cups crushed pineapple thoroughly drained
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until completely smooth and creamy. Fold in the well-drained pineapple, 1 cup of the desiccated coconut, graham cracker crumbs, and the pineapple gelatin mix. Stir gently until the components are thoroughly blended.
- Cover the bowl securely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for approximately one hour, or until the mixture becomes firm enough to shape by hand.
- Using a tablespoon as a guide, scoop out portions and roll each into a compact ball between your palms.
- Coat every ball by rolling it in the remaining coconut until fully enrobed.
- Place the finished balls on a tray and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
Allow the cream cheese to reach room temperature for optimal mixing texture.
Avoid overmixing and handle the rolling process with care to maintain consistency.
Work in manageable portions, keeping half of the mixture refrigerated while forming the remaining balls.
