Junior Minted Cheesecake Ball

It's apparent that I have a large family. Why? Because every few days I'm blogging about party food, cakes and celebrations.  Yes, I have a  family that keeps me busy with Party planning and baking like crazy. But Gosh, I love 'em for that.  It keeps me on my toes and it gives me the opportunity to come up with lots of new and fun recipes.  And yesterday was my nephew Ryan's Birthday party so I was in the mode of making.
Last year I had fun creating a Cheesecake Ball that tastes just like a Tootsie Roll. I used a little packet by the Duncan Hines company called "Frosting Creations."  Gosh I love how many of those flavor packs I've used to not only flavor my frosting, but I've used in cakes, cream cheese, chocolate and Popcorn.  Here's my plug...Go buy them, they're great!  Recently, one thing lead to another and since Junior mints are my all time favorite movie food, I came up with the idea to take my Tootsie Rolled Cheesecake Ball, tweak it and make a recipe for a Junior Mint one too.   Trust me, I couldn't make it quick enough.  What I really really like about this party food now that I've made it is that I cannot wait until Christmas since this peppermint flavored Cheesecake ball is going to fit in with all my holiday parties!  This flavorful Junior Mints appetizer was just like having Christmas in September.  I'm in Love! Oh, and Merry early Christmas...

Junior Minted Cheesecake Ball

2 blocks chilled cream cheese
1  Duncan Hines Frosting Creations peppermint stick packet (seasonal so get them when you can!)
4 oz pack Junior mint candy
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. chilled butter
Shell~
1- 1/2 cup chocolate chips

 

With a mixer, cream sugars, butter, frosting creations peppermint packet and cream cheese until fluffy . Add Junior mints and mix just until they start to break up. 

 

Divide into two portions and scrape into the middle of pieces of plastic wrap.  ( I first tried foil here with out thinking about balling it up. Don't use foil.)

 

 

Gather up the sides tight so your mixture forms into the shape of a ball. Secure with a tight ribbon or rubber band so your ball holds its shape and chill it in the refrigerator for all least 8 hours or overnight.

When you are ready to coat your Cheesecake ball, in a large bowl, microwave chocolate chips for about 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until melted.  Place unwrapped Chilled Cheesecake balls on a piece of foil or a wire rack.  Drizzle with chocolate until coated.  You can even coat the bottom of your Cheesecake ball if you'd like.   Your ball with instantly harden and is ready to serve. If you used foil, once hardened, you can cut off and trim the excess pieces of chocolate at the bottom with a hot knife. 
Serve with an assortment of cookies.

Oh so very minty and yummy!  As if I wasn't already obsessed with Junior Mints, now I have a great big Junior Mint gracing my kitchen counter... or at least until I eat it all!

Check out my Tootsie Rolled Cheesecake Ball here for another tasty recipe:

http://celebratemywhimsy.blogspot.com/2013/09/tootsie-rolled-cheesecake-ball.html

Happy Celebrating~