No Bake Pineapple Cheesecake Balls

Simple to make but present like you've spent hours creating them, these GF, no-bake, Cheesecake Balls are going to be the party favorite wherever you serve them! Luxuriously smooth cream cheese blended with refreshing pineapple and a hint of vanilla is melded with crunchy pecans, chewy coconut and the quintessence of cookies, our Crispy Pecan Shortbreads- crushed into the mixture, creating a sublime, cake-like texture that satisfies the cheesecake craving at a fraction of the calories of a traditional slice! I recommend keeping a small stash in the freezer and pop one of these creamy, perfectly sweet, flavor bombs in your gullet whenever you're having a sweet tooth attack- oh, so good frozen! 

No-Bake Pineapple Pecan Cheesecake Balls

Makes about 16 balls

Ingredients

• 1-8oz Cream Cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup Powdered Sugar
• 10 oz Crushed Pineapple, very well-drained, until almost dry
• 3 Éban’s Crispy Pecan Shortbread cookies, crushed
• 1/3 cup Pecans, toasted, finely chopped
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• pinch Sea Salt
• 1/2 cup Sweetened Coconut
• 1/2 cup Chocolate Sprinkles (made with real chocolate, like Hagelschlag from De Ruijter) 

Directions

1.  In a food processor, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until very smooth. 
2. Add the drained pineapple, crushed cookies, chopped pecans, vanilla and a pinch of sea salt and pulse until well blended, but not overworked.
3. Transfer the cheesecake mixture to a container and chill, covered, several hours in the refrigerator until firm.
4. Place the sweetened coconut and chocolate sprinkles in separate bowls.
5. Using a small scoop, form balls from the cheesecake mixture (about 1 oz each) and roll into the bowls of coconut or chocolate sprinkles, alternately as desired, to completely coat each ball.
6. Set the cheesecake balls on a parchment-lined baking tray or directly into lidded containers in a single layer and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
7. Will keep about 10 days refrigerated or at least 30 days frozen.

Notes

~This cheesecake mixture could be spooned directly into small dishes instead of being made into balls if you would like to serve it as a decadent dessert for a dinner party. Chill as directed above and add desired toppings (strawberry, blueberry or cherry sauce would be appropriate and delicious); garnish with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, more chopped pecans, etc just before serving if you like.

~Balls could be frozen then dipped into melted chocolate to coat if you prefer that over rolling them in coconut or sprinkles.