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5 from 4 votes
Home By Course Desserts Frostings & Dips

Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball (Lightened Up)

This Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball is hands down one of the easiest and yummiest recipes to serve at your next holiday party! And it’s lightened-up, so you can feel good about going back for more!

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Lauren
By: Lauren published: Oct. 11, 2021 updated: Dec. 19, 2023 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

A hand dipping a graham cracker into caramel pecan dessert cheese ball with addtional graham crackers on the side.
Contents hide
About This Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball
Ingredients and Substitutions
How To Make
Tips To Make-Ahead
What To Serve With Your Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball
FAQ: Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball
More Healthy Dessert Dips Recipes You’ll Love
Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball (Lightened Up)
MyFitnessPal Entry
Did You Make This?

About This Recipe

I brought this Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball over to my neighbors house the other weekend and it was completely devoured. And no one had even the slightest idea that it was lightened up!

Sweet cream cheese, crunchy pecans, crushed up graham crackers, all drizzled with sweet and salty caramel taste absolutely incredible together spread across your favorite treats like apple slices, cookies, and crackers. Plus, it’s full of great texture as well!

This really is the perfect fall dessert that everyone will enjoy. And it can also be made in advance, making it prep friendly.

And I’m always looking for easy dessert recipes to make for get-togethers. This Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball is one of my favorites, along with my Reese’s Peanut Butter Dessert Cheese Ball, Skinny Pumpkin Pie Dip or infamous Dunkaroo Dip!

A hand dipping a graham cracker into caramel pecan dessert cheese ball with addtional graham crackers on the side.

Why You’ll Love This Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball

  • It’s sweet and salty at its finest! Caramel, pecans, graham crackers, and cream cheese made for each other.
  • Packed with incredible texture and flavor.
  • Easy and quick to make!
  • Make-ahead to make your life easier! I actually prefer it this way.
  • A crowd favorite! Everyone will love dipping into this cheese ball.
  • You’ll never know it’s lightened up!

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Cream cheese – I used a combination of fat-free and reduced-fat cream cheese. Fat-free cream cheese alone didn’t hold as well. Feel free to use whatever combo of regular cream cheese, reduced-fat, Neufchatel (Greek cream cheese), or vegan cream cheese you wish.
  • Protein powder – To add a little punch of protein! I used PEScience Vanilla. I can’t speak for all protein powder brands, but you can’t taste this one at all aside from a subtle vanilla sweetness. For all PEScience products, you can use code Laurenfitfoodie to save 10% off your purchase.
  • Confectioner’s sugar – I used Swerve Confectioner’s Sugar. Normal confectioner’s sugar or another calorie-free confectioners sugar blend would also work.
  • Sweetener – I used Swerve Granular Sweetener.
  • Pantry staples – Vanilla extract, lemon juice, and salt.
  • Pecans – For a great crunch.
  • Graham crackers – Makes another delicious topping. Soooo good!
A hand dipping a graham cracker into caramel pecan dessert cheese ball with addtional graham crackers and cookies on the side.

How To Make

This is honestly one of the easiest appetizers ever to make. Just follow the simple steps below!

  1. Mix together ingredients. Mix all ingredients (except graham crackers and pecans) with an electric mixer until smooth.
  2. Cover with plastic wrap and chill. Wrap ingredient mixture in plastic wrap and form into a ball. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
  3. Coat with graham crackers and pecans. Put crushed up graham crackers and pecans on a plate. Remove cheese ball from plastic wrap and roll on plate until well-coated.
  4. Serve and enjoy! Place on a platter with cookies and crackers and serve. Enjoy!

Tips To Make-Ahead

This recipe is great because it can also be prepped the night before you serve it! I honestly think it tastes better if made a day ahead because the flavors have time to come together. This helps the cheese ball taste extra delicious!

To Make Ahead:

  1. Use an electric mixer to mix all ingredients together (except graham crackers and pecans) until smooth.
  2. Place mixture on top of plastic wrap, cover, and form into a ball
  3. Store in refrigerator overnight
  4. Before serving, roll in chopped pecans and crushed graham crackers until well-coated
  5. Serve on a platter with apples, graham crackers, cookies, crackers, or whatever suits your fancy!
A hand dipping a graham cracker into caramel pecan dessert cheese ball with addtional graham crackers, cookies, and apple slices on the side.

What To Serve With Your Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball

There are so many options to dip into your cheese ball. The best part is that you can go the sweet AND savory route. My favorite ingredient to eat this with is graham crackers. But for the savory lover, Ritz crackers are delish! Here are some other ideas:

  • Animal cookies
  • Gingersnaps
  • Sliced apples
  • Pretzels
  • Vanilla wafers

FAQ: Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball

Can I make this cheese ball in advance?

Yes, this is a great recipe to make in advance! I honestly think it tastes better if made a day ahead because the flavors have time to combine together. To make in advance, just mix all ingredients together (except toppings). Then wrap and place in fridge overnight. When ready to eat, take out of fridge and add toppings and enjoy!

Why is my cream cheese lumpy?

You cream cheese may turn out lumpy if it’s still too cold. I highly recommend letting your cream cheese soften so that it will easily mix and create a smooth consistency.

Why do I need to use a combo of fat-free and reduced-fat cream cheese?

I used a combination of fat-free and reduced-fat cream cheese because I found that just fat-free cream cheese didn’t hold as well. The little bit of extra fat helps the cheese ball firm and hold steady. However, feel free to use whatever combo of regular cream cheese, reduced-fat, Neufchatel (Greek cream cheese), or vegan cream cheese you wish here.

More Healthy Dessert Dips Recipes You’ll Love

Peanut butter cheese ball topped with Reeses Pieces on a tray with pretzels, animals crackers, graham crackers, and cookies.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Dessert Cheese Ball

Skinny pumpkin pie dip on a tray with apple slices, graham crackers, pretzels, animal crackers, and cookies.

Skinny Pumpkin Pie Dip (Easy + Low Calorie)

Healthy brownie batter in a small bowl with a spoon.

Healthy Brownie Batter (Protein Packed!)

Dunkaroo dip topped with sprinkles in a small bowl with strawberries and animal cracker on the side.

Dunkaroo Dip (Low Calorie + High Protein)

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!

A hand dipping a graham cracker into caramel pecan dessert cheese ball with addtional graham crackers on the side.
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5 from 4 votes

Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball (Lightened Up)

? Gluten-Free ? High Protein ? Low Carb ? Macro-friendly ? Vegetarian
This Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball is hands down one of the easiest and yummiest recipes to serve at your next holiday party! And it’s lightened-up, so you can feel good about going back for more!
Yield: 12
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Additional Time: 2 hours hrs
Total: 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Calories: 117kcal
Protein: 6.5g
Fat: 6.1g
Carbs: 9.1g

Ingredients

  • 8 oz reduced-fat cream cheese (226g) softened
  • 8 oz fat-free cream cheese (226g) softened
  • 1/4 cup Swerve confectioners sugar (36g)
  • 2 Tbsp Swerve granular sweetener (24g) or other sweetener of choice
  • 1 scoop peanut butter cookie protein powder* (32g)
  • 2 Tbsp peanut butter powder (16g)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3 Tbsp chopped pecans (24g)
  • 4 sheets cinnamon graham crackers (62g) crushed to crumbs
  • 2 Tbsp caramel sauce (35g)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.

Instructions

  • Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
  • Add the protein powder, confectioner’s sugar, granular sweetener, vanilla, lemon juice, and salt; mix again until combined.
  • Line two pieces of plastic wrap in an “X” and place cream cheese mixture in the middle. Wrap/twist it up, and form it into a ball. Use a twist tie or rubber band to secure and maintain the shape of the ball. Refrigerate for at least one hour. For best results, refrigerate for 2-3 hours (even better if you prep it the night before!
  • Spread graham cracker crumbs and pecans in an even layer on a flat plate/surface. Unwrap chilled cheese ball and roll onto crumbs to coat. Gently press crumbs and pecans into any non covered spots.
  • Transfer cheese ball to platter. Drizzle with caramel sauce. Surround the cheese ball with cookies, crackers, fruit and any other dippers that sound good. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

To make this cheese ball gluten-free, use gluten-free graham crackers.
*I used PEScience Peanut Butter Cookie to give this cheese ball a more sweet peanut butter cookie flavor. Feel free to use a vanilla flavor or more peanut butter powder in it’s place.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/4 cup (57g), Calories: 117kcal (6%), Carbohydrates: 9.1g (3%), Protein: 6.5g (13%), Fat: 6.1g (9%), Saturated Fat: 2.5g (16%), Fiber: 0.4g (2%), Sugar: 4.9g (5%)

Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.

MyFitnessPal Entry

LFF Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball

© Author: Lauren

A hand dipping a graham cracker into caramel pecan dessert cheese ball with addtional graham crackers on the side.

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Lauren

Lauren lives with her husband, Simon and two dogs, Finley and Cookie, in the Carolina’s. She has college degrees in Nursing and Exercise Science, is a NASM certified trainer and spent many years as a macro coach before transitioning to full time blogging. She loves staying active, being creative and recreating her favorite comfort food dishes into healthier, lightened up versions. Desserts are her speciality!

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Hey There!

I’m Lauren, a food lover sharing healthy, macro-friendly recipes that taste good and you can feel good about eating. Here you’ll find everything from breakfasts to easy dinners to lightened up desserts because desserts are absolutely mandatory around here!

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