Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball (Lightened Up)

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

Caramel Pecan Dessert Cheese Ball (Lightened Up)

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Additional Time: 2

Total Time: 2 10

Servings:

Calories: 117kcal

Author: Lauren

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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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)

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