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Skip the oven and skip messing with dough—these no-bake pecan pie balls are creamy, packed with chocolate, and totally nutty. Just stir, roll, and chill. You'll have a crowd-pleaser for any party or a quiet evening at home in no time. Quick to make, easy to eat, and everyone grabs them first when dessert hits the table.
The first time I brought these over for friends during a Christmas movie night, they were gone before the movie even got going. Now everyone insists I triple the batch and I’ve basically been handing out the instructions non-stop ever since.
Delicious Ingredients
- Mini chocolate chips: teeny bits that make sure chocolate hits every bite and melt a little in your mouth
- Powdered sugar: brings sweet smoothness into the mix, sifted if you want super smooth dough
- Graham cracker crumbs: give a crumbly, toasty surface so balls don’t stick and are easier to grab
- Soft cream cheese: keeps everything velvety and helps it all stick together (full-fat gives the richest flavor)
- Vanilla extract: pumps up the flavor, choose pure for the best taste
- Pecans, finely chopped: use fresh for extra crunch—cut or blitz until you’ve got bits just bigger than breadcrumbs
Simple Steps
- Chill the mix:
- Scoop all your soon-to-be pecan balls onto a lined tray, then let them sit in the fridge for thirty minutes so they firm up and hold shape
- Coat in crumbs:
- Pour graham crumbs onto a plate, then roll each ball around till totally covered and nice and toasty looking
- Form the balls:
- Take tablespoon scoops of the dough, roll gently between your hands—make them about an inch wide (if the mix feels too sticky, chill it for a bit first)
- Fold in chips:
- Add the vanilla and mini chocolate chips into the creamy mix, folding gently so the chips stay mostly whole
- Mix the base:
- Beat soft cream cheese and powdered sugar together until fluffy and totally lump-free using a big spoon or mixer
- Prep the pecans:
- Chop pecans super fine, stopping before they get dusty—the tinier, the better for rolling into the dough
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I always look forward to rolling bites with my kid—she loves poking the chocolate chips in and giggles with every little taste-test. It’s one of our silliest and best holiday kitchen rituals now.
Easy Storage
Pop your pecan pie balls in any airtight container and stash them in the fridge—they’ll keep just fine for four days. If you stack them up, stick a piece of parchment in between each layer. Want to freeze? Go for it. They'll defrost nicely in the fridge when you're ready to serve.
Switch Ups
No pecans? Use almonds or walnuts just as easily. Out of chocolate? Chopped dried cranberries or cherries are great too. And for anyone dairy-free, a non-dairy cream cheese gets the job done.
Tasty Serving Ideas
Fill a serving tray high for instant party treats. Tuck a batch in a jar and tie it with ribbon for a sweet gift. Or, set them out on a board with fruit and other candies for easy nibbling.
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Common Questions
- → What’s the best way to stop the mixture from sticking to my hands?
Pop it in the fridge for a bit or just dust your hands in powdered sugar. That does the trick to keep things from sticking while you roll.
- → Is there something else I can use if I don't want cream cheese?
Swap in mascarpone or even a dairy-free version, but your bites might taste and feel a touch different.
- → Do I really need to toast the pecans first?
Toasting them makes the flavor pop and gives more depth, but you can skip it if you want things softer or milder.
- → How long will my pecan pie balls stay good?
Stick them in an airtight container in the fridge and they'll stay fresh for a week.
- → Is it okay to freeze these?
Absolutely. Lay them out so they’re not touching and freeze till set, then toss into a bag. Let them thaw in the fridge before you dig in.