All of the flavors of the amazing candy bar, this Almond Joy cheese ball is a mix of toasted coconut and almonds with a gooey fudge center. Serve it with chocolate animal crackers for even more dessert fun.

I recently told you about my love of Almond Joy candy bars when I made my Almond Joy rice krispies treat squares. I mean, what’s not to love with coconut, almonds, and chocolate?

So I am bringing those same delicious flavors in a cheese ball this time. A dessert cheese ball!

Oh, and did I say it was a stuffed dessert cheese ball? WWHHHAAATTT?!?! A Gooey, chocolatey, fudgy center? Are you drooling yet? I am!

Speaking of dessert cheese balls, check out this pineapple cheese ball, this Italian cream cake cheese ball, and this pomegranate goat cheese log. Any of them are perfect for any occasion!

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chocolate, coconut, and pecan cheese ball with animal crackers around it

Dessert Cheese Balls

Before we get to the stuffed part of the Almond Joy cheese ball, let’s talk about sweet cheese balls in general. When I hear the words cheese ball, I initially think of savory cheese balls and sitting around at a party with crackers and wine.

Savory, spicy, and maybe a little salty are all great qualities of a cheese ball, but what about dessert? Parties need desserts too, right?

Can you have a cheese ball for dessert? I don’t know about you but I can! Dessert should never be overlooked so why not have a sweet cheese ball for dessert?

I have a breakfast cheese ball so why not go all in?!?! I seem to have a lot of questions regarding desserts, don’t I?

See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.

Ingredient Notes

Cream cheese – Use your favorite brand and this works with low fat or fat free versions. But I prefer the regular, because why not if you are adding fudge sauce LOL.
Chocolate – Use a homemade fudge sauce or store bought one that you would use for ice cream sundaes. You want it thick. Don’t try and use a pourable syrup that you would use for chocolate milk for example.
Coconut – I like to toast the shredded coconut before I use it but that is totally up to you.
Almonds – You can use chopped almonds or sliced almonds. Again, you can toast them if you prefer. I think it brings out their flavor more.
Chocolate chips – Use the mini chocolate chips. They are easier to coat the outside of the cheese ball with. You can certainly use regular ones and leave them whole or chop them up a little. And use semisweet, milk, or dark chocolate if you prefer.

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How To Make An Almond Joy Cheese Ball

In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Once combined, spread it onto parchment paper in a circle about 6 inches in diameter. It helps to use a non-stick parchment paper but if you don’t have that you can use wax paper. You can also spray a little non-stick spray on the paper before you spread out the cheese ball to help get it off the paper easier.

Place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up. Remove from the fridge and spoon the fudge sauce onto the center of the cream cheese circle.

Slowly scrape the edges of the cream cheese off the parchment paper and fold them up and over the fudge sauce. Be careful not to press down too hard.

Little by little bring up the sides until you have the fudge sauce contained and pinch any opening in the top closed.

Wrap the cheese ball in parchment paper or wax paper and place back in the fridge for 5 minutes to set.

Remove from the fridge and coat with the toasted coconut, sliced almonds, and chocolate chips. Serve with your favorite cookies.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

dessert cheese ball with hole in it to show the fudge sauce inside

Serving Suggestions

This sounds like a dessert so you might want to serve it with some neutral crackers but I love mine with animal crackers, graham crackers, shortbread cookies, vanilla wafers, chocolate wafers, pretzels, etc.

Storage

Once you set it out to serve it, it should last about an hour. If it’s going to be out longer, I would recommend serving it on a plate or platter that you can keep cold.

If you want to make it ahead of time, prepare the cheese ball and leave the toppings off it. You can keep it wrapped tightly in the fridge for up to 2 days. Same with any leftovers.

close up of cheese ball with shredded coconut on it

Tapas Tips & Tricks

Use a nonstick parchment paper or wax paper and make sure the cheese ball is really cold. It helps it come off the paper better.
Chill your fudge sauce (you want it thick) so it doesn’t run all over the place when you put it on the cream cheese.
Keep in the fridge until ready to coat and serve.
Try this method with other dessert sauces too!

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave us a five-star review in the comment section below. Thanks!

Pinterest pin image for almond joy cheese ball

If you are a candy bar lover like me, my Almond Joy cheese ball with toasted almonds, toasted coconut, and a gooey fudge center is perfect for you and your next party!

Almond Joy Cheese Ball

All of the flavors of the amazing candy bar, this Almond Joy cheese ball is a mix of toasted coconut and almonds with a gooey fudge center!

5 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Sweet Cheese Balls

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 45

Total Time: 55

Servings: servings

Author: Jennifer Stewart

Equipment

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup toasted coconut divided
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup toasted almonds
1/3 cup fudge sauce prepared
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Prepare the outside of the cheese ball

Combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
Spread in a 6-inch circle on a piece of parchment paper.
Sprinkle with 1/4 cup toasted coconut chips.
Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Remove from the fridge and place the fudge sauce in the center of the cream cheese mixture leaving a 2-inch border.
Slowly scrape the cream cheese mixture off the parchment paper and fold over the top of the fudge sauce enclosing the fudge sauce in the center of the ball.
Wrap the cheese ball back up into the parchment paper and chill for another 10 minutes.

When ready to serve, coat the cheese ball

Sprinkle the remaining toasted coconut, toasted almonds, and mini chocolate chips on a plate. Mix to combine.
Remove the cheese ball from the fridge.
Remove the parchment paper and roll the cheese ball in the toppings to coat the outside of the ball.
Place on a platter and serve with chocolate cookies or animal crackers.
Enjoy!

Notes

It helps to use a non-stick parchment paper but if you don’t have that you can use wax paper. You can also spray a little non-stick spray on the paper before you spread out the cheese ball to help get it off the paper easier.

I thought about how to get the fudge sauce into the Almond Joy cheese ball and not have a huge mess! I looked to see if anyone else has done this and I found a pecan pie cheese ball that was similar. Holly layered hers with a method I figured I could modify a bit to get the fudge sauce in the center.

Nutrition

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