Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 g) Pork Sausage (Ground, Mild or Hot)
- 8 oz (226 g) Full-fat Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 cups (240 g) All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp (5 g) Baking Powder
- 1 tsp (5 g) Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp (3 g) Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp (3 g) Salt (adjust based on sausage saltiness)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two standard baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Ensure the cream cheese is very soft (room temperature) to facilitate smooth mixing.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy.
- In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, pepper, and salt.
- Add the raw sausage meat to the cream cheese mixture. Use your hands or a sturdy spoon to break the sausage apart slightly.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the sausage and cream cheese base. Mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure tender balls.
- Use a small cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) or a teaspoon to portion the mixture. Roll firmly between your palms into uniform balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter.
- Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each one.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, rotating the trays halfway through, until the sausage balls are nicely browned on the bottom and fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 160°F/71°C).
- Let the sausage balls cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving warm.