Introduction
When the kitchen’s already buzzing with turkey, stuffing, and gravy, you need a sweet treat that won’t add to the chaos. That’s why these No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls are such a lifesaver. They’re creamy, spiced, and wonderfully easy to prepare. Since no oven is required, you can make them while your pies bake or even the day before. Among the best easy Thanksgiving desserts, bite everyone will adore. For another creamy pumpkin dessert idea, check out our Thanksgiving Desserts Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars.
Why You’ll Love It
These pumpkin cheesecake balls are soft, rich, and filled with warm spices that taste like autumn in every bite. Plus, you’ll love how quick they are to prepare and how festive they look on your dessert table. Because there’s no baking involved, they save both oven space and time. Whether you’re hosting a big family feast or bringing a dish to share, these little bites will impress without the effort. Finally, they’re just as fun to make as they are to eat!
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No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls
- Total Time: 135
- Yield: 20 balls
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy, spiced, and irresistibly easy — these No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls are perfect for Easy Thanksgiving Desserts. Quick to make, chill, and serve!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup canned pumpkin puree
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 8.8 ounces Biscoff cookies, crushed
- 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 10 ounces Ghirardelli white vanilla melting wafers
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil or vegetable shortening
Instructions
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, and vanilla; mix until creamy.
- Fold in crushed cookies, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Scoop and roll into 20 balls; place on parchment-lined sheet.
- Freeze for 1 hour.
- Melt wafers with coconut oil until smooth.
- Dip each ball and place back on sheet.
- Drizzle extra chocolate and top with cookie crumbs or sprinkles.
- Refrigerate until set and serve chilled.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before serving for best results.
- Prep Time: 15
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Before you start, make sure you gather everything ahead of time. Having your ingredients prepped and ready will make the process smooth and stress-free. Because this is a no-bake recipe, each item plays a key role in creating that rich, creamy texture and signature pumpkin spice flavor. Once everything’s measured, you’ll be amazed at how quickly this dessert comes together.
If you love fall baking, you might also enjoy our Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, which share the same cozy dessert spirit.
Pantry & Fresh
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese, softened | 8 ounces |
| Canned pumpkin puree | ½ cup |
| Powdered sugar | ⅓ cup |
| Pure vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Biscoff cookies, crushed | 8.8 ounces |
| Pumpkin pie spice | 1½ teaspoons |
| Fine sea salt | ¼ teaspoon |
| Ghirardelli white vanilla melting wafers | 10 ounces |
| Coconut oil or vegetable shortening | 2 teaspoons |
Substitutions
If you don’t have Biscoff cookies, graham crackers or gingersnaps make delicious substitutes. Likewise, you can swap cream cheese for Neufchâtel for a lighter texture, or use dairy-free cream cheese for a vegan-friendly version. Coconut oil adds a hint of sweetness, but vegetable shortening works just as well to smooth the chocolate coating. For a lower-sugar option, consider sugar-free white chocolate chips and monk fruit sweetener instead.
Step-by-Step
If you like fun, hands-on desserts, you might also enjoy our Fried Mac and Cheese Balls — another crowd-pleasing bite-sized favorite.
Step 1: Mix the Base
First, in a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Then add pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, blending until everything looks creamy and uniform.
Step 2: Add Crunch and Spice
Next, fold in the crushed Biscoff cookies, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. As you mix on low speed, the crumbs will blend into the cheesecake mixture, creating a dough-like texture.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
After that, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This rest makes the mixture easier to roll and lets the flavors deepen beautifully.
Step 4: Shape the Balls
Once chilled, use a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) to portion out the dough. Roll each scoop into a smooth ball, then place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. When done, freeze the tray for about 1 hour.
Step 5: Coat in White Chocolate
Meanwhile, melt the Ghirardelli wafers with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler. Stir occasionally until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Then dip each chilled ball into the melted chocolate using a toothpick or fork, letting any excess drip off.
Step 6: Decorate and Set
Finally, drizzle extra melted wafers over the top and sprinkle with crushed cookies or festive fall sprinkles. After decorating, refrigerate the tray until the coating has set completely.
Pro Tips
For best results, make sure your cream cheese is fully softened before mixing. Because crushed cookies can thicken quickly, don’t overmix the batter. If the dough feels sticky, chill it longer or dust your hands with powdered sugar. In addition, always melt chocolate in short intervals to prevent scorching. When dipping, gently tap off extra coating so the surface stays smooth.
Variations & Substitutions
To make them gluten-free, use gluten-free graham crackers. Likewise, for a dairy-free or vegan version, replace cream cheese with a plant-based option and use vegan white chocolate. You can also experiment with dark or milk chocolate for richer flavor. For a lighter dessert, choose reduced-fat cream cheese and cut back on sugar slightly. As a fun twist, roll them in cinnamon sugar instead of chocolate for a rustic finish.
If you enjoy seasonal baking, try our Melt-in-Your-Mouth Snowball Cookies next — another make-ahead favorite for the holidays.
Serve It With
Serve these pumpkin cheesecake balls after dinner with cider, pumpkin spice lattes, or cocoa. They pair beautifully with hearty fall dishes like Spicy Honeynut Squash Soup. For a festive dessert platter, combine them with cupcakes or cookies for a cheerful autumn display.
Storage & Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Alternatively, freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge overnight. However, avoid microwaving them — the chocolate coating can melt unevenly.
Nutrition
Each ball contains about 85 calories, 7 grams of carbs, 6 grams of fat, and 1 gram of protein. Because they’re small, you can enjoy one or two without feeling too full. These little bites deliver all the taste of pumpkin cheesecake in a lighter, bite-sized form.
FAQs
You can make no-bake pumpkin cheesecake balls, chocolate mousse cups, or rice krispie treats. All are festive, quick, and ideal when oven space is limited.
First, blend cream cheese, pumpkin puree, and sugar. Then add cookie crumbs and spices, chill, roll, and coat in melted chocolate. Finally, refrigerate until set — that’s it!
Yes! Freeze them on a tray until solid, then move them to a container. When you’re ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge. As a result, the texture stays creamy and smooth.
Try Neufchâtel, mascarpone, or dairy-free cream cheese. Each option gives a slightly different taste and texture, but all work beautifully.
More Like This
Love cozy desserts? You’ll also enjoy Thanksgiving Desserts Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Snowball Cookies, and Ghost Cupcakes. Each one celebrates fall’s sweetest moments in its own way.
Save This Recipe for Later
Pin these No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls to your Thanksgiving Desserts board so you’ll have them handy next time. Once you try them, you’ll understand why they’re one of the most loved easy Thanksgiving desserts around.