Preparation Steps

• It is important to heat treat the dry cake mix before adding it to the cream cheese mixture. To do this, add the dry spice cake mix to a medium heat safe bowl. Microwave the dry spice cake mix in 2 (30 second) intervals, stirring after each heating interval. Allow the dry spice cake mix to cool completely before adding it to the cream cheese mixture.
• In a second, medium sized, mixing bowl add the softened cream cheese and pumpkin puree. Beat on medium-high speed, using a handheld mixer, for 1-2 minutes or until smooth and completely combined.
• Add the cooled dry spice cake mix to the cream cheese mixture and mix again, on medium-high speed, until all the ingredients are fully combined. The mixture will be thick.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. One will be used to place the scooped and rolled pumpkin spice cheesecake bites and the other for the white chocolate coated pumpkin spice cheesecake bites.
• Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out a level amount of pumpkin spice cheesecake mixture and quickly roll it in the palm of your hand to form a smooth ball. Place the ball onto one of the prepared baking sheets. Repeat until all the pumpkin spice cheesecake bites are formed. Refrigerate the cheesecake balls for at least one hour.
• In a small, microwave safe bowl, add the white chocolate almond bark. Microwave on high in 30 second intervals, being sure to stir between each interval, until the discs are fully melted and the coating is smooth. *Alternately, follow the melting instructions on the package of your brand’s white chocolate almond bark.
• Remove the sheet of pumpkin spice cheesecake bites from the refrigerator and using a fork, dip one cheesecake ball into the melted white chocolate almond bark. Gently roll it around to evenly coat the entire cheesecake bite. Lift it out of the melted white chocolate almond bark and allow as much of the white chocolate to drip back into the bowl. You can gently tap the fork on the side of the bowl to create a smooth coating on the ball.
• Place the coated pumpkin spice cheesecake bite onto the second prepared baking sheet. You can use a toothpick to gently push the coated bite onto the baking sheet. Repeat until all the pumpkin spice cheesecake bites are coated.
• While the coating is still “wet”, sprinkle a pinch of pumpkin pie spice onto the top of each one to garnish.
• Allow the pumpkin spice cheesecake bites to harden on the baking sheet before removing and placing onto a serving plate.