Mini Cotton Candy Cheesecake Puff Balls (Printable)

Creamy cheesecake centers wrapped in fluffy cotton candy shells create these delightful bite-sized party treats.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheesecake Mixture

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
04 - 1/4 cup heavy cream

→ Outer Shell

05 - 3.5 oz cotton candy (any color/flavor)

→ Decoration (optional)

06 - Colored sprinkles or edible glitter

# How To Make:

01 - Beat cream cheese with sugar and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.
02 - Add heavy cream and continue beating until mixture becomes light and fluffy.
03 - Scoop 1 tablespoon portions of cheesecake mixture and roll into small balls. Arrange on parchment-lined tray.
04 - Freeze cheesecake balls for 15-20 minutes until firm enough to handle.
05 - Flatten a small piece of cotton candy in palm, place cheesecake ball in center, and gently wrap around filling while pinching to seal. Roll lightly to form smooth spheres.
06 - Sprinkle with colored sprinkles or edible glitter if desired.
07 - For optimal texture, serve right after assembly. Refrigerate if not serving immediately, but note cotton candy will dissolve from prolonged moisture exposure.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cotton candy shell literally melts in your mouth while the cheesecake center stays cool and creamy
  • They look absolutely magical on a platter and guests cannot figure out how you made them
  • You can customize the colors for any theme or holiday, making them impossibly versatile
02 -
  • Cotton candy begins dissolving the moment it touches moisture, so work quickly and keep these refrigerated until the last possible moment
  • If your kitchen is particularly humid, these are best assembled within 30 minutes of serving time
  • The cheesecake centers can be frozen for up to a week ahead, then wrapped in cotton candy when you are ready
03 -
  • Dampen your hands slightly with water when rolling the cotton candy around the cheesecake balls, it helps the candy adhere without dissolving completely
  • If you cannot find cotton candy in your desired colors, plain white cotton candy can be tinted with a drop of food coloring while you fluff it apart

Go Back