This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

The holiday baking season is upon us. It’s my favorite time of year and I’m excited to try out a few new recipes. I was browsing the Cooking Up Good website for some inspiration. It’s a great resource with tons of recipes, sweepstakes, loyalty programs, coupons and more. Nothing says a holiday party to me like a cheese ball. Two varieties stick out to me sweet and savory.

When I spotted the cocoa almonds in Walmart I was inspired to create a candy bar dip. The fun sleigh display had a great selection of seasonal nuts beautifully packaged and ready to gift. Who wouldn’t #GoNutsForNuts for a fun hostess gift.

Mr. Peanut seasonal nuts at Walmart #GoNutsForNuts #shop #cbias

My oldest was my holiday shopping buddy and kept busy with the Planter’s Blipar app; a unique interactive experience. Take a selfie with Mr. Peanut or browse a list of seasonal Planter’s items. He had fun projecting the holiday Mr. Peanut winter scene on everything in the store. A win win for both of us. I got to bring along my favorite shopping pal and he got to explore the world of 3D interactive apps; or magic as he called it.

The almonds dusted with cocoa were perfect for a fun decorative dip. My cheese ball quickly transformed into a winter pinecone. I’m sure a cookie or graham cracker would taste delicious in this candy bar dip, but we liked dipping the cocoa almonds directly into the cream cheese ball loaded with coconut and chocolate chips.

Cocoa Almond Candy Bar Dip

Kelly @eclecticmommy

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Dessert

Ingredients

1 14 oz. package cream cheese
2 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. coconut
cocoa almonds

Instructions

Cream softened cream cheese and butter.
Add vanilla and powdered sugar to creamed mixture. Mix until incorporated.
Add chocolate chips and coconut, mix.
Place mixture on a plate. Form into an inverted rain drop.
Place in fridge until firm.
Take cocoa almonds and push into firm cheese ball, flat side facing up.

See how easy it is to transform your cheese ball (raindrop) into a pinecone with delicious cocoa almonds.

The cocoa almonds were amazing both my boys ate them up, without any dip. Of course they didn’t mind dipping their grahams and almonds in the dip too.