Why You’ll Love Oreo Balls for Christmas Recipe
These Oreo balls are wonderfully simple because there is no baking involved. Most of the preparation consists of crushing the cookies, mixing them with softened cream cheese, and dipping the chilled balls in melted chocolate.
They are also easy to customize for Christmas. White or chocolate almond bark provides the base coating, while sprinkles and red and green candy melts transform the Oreo balls into colorful holiday treats.
Another advantage is that they can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until you are ready to serve them. Their small size makes them convenient for dessert platters, holiday parties, and edible gifts.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Mint Oreo Cookies or regular Oreo Cookies
- Cream cheese, softened
- White almond bark
- Chocolate almond bark
- Christmas sprinkles
- Red candy melts
- Green candy melts
Directions
- Line a cookie sheet or baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Place the softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl.
- Crush the Oreo cookies, including the cream centers, in a food processor until they become fine crumbs. If you do not have a food processor, place the cookies in a resealable bag and crush them thoroughly with a rolling pin.
- Add the Oreo crumbs to the bowl containing the softened cream cheese.
- Stir until the cookie crumbs and cream cheese are completely combined and the mixture has an even consistency.
- Use a 2-tablespoon cookie dough scoop to portion the Oreo mixture.
- Roll each portion between your hands until it forms a smooth ball.
- Arrange the Oreo balls on the parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. The Oreo balls can chill longer if needed. Chilling helps firm the centers and makes them easier to coat.
- Place about 4 squares of almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute and stir. Continue heating in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval. When only a few small pieces remain, stop heating and stir until completely smooth.
- Place one chilled Oreo ball onto a fork and dip it into the melted almond bark, making sure the entire ball is coated. Lift it from the chocolate and gently shake or tap off the excess coating.
- Transfer the coated Oreo ball back to the parchment-lined cookie sheet. Use another fork or a small knife to carefully slide it from the dipping fork.
- If using Christmas sprinkles, add them immediately while the coating is still wet so they stick properly.
- Repeat with the remaining Oreo balls, melting additional almond bark in small batches as necessary.
- To add colorful decorations, melt the red or green candy melts according to the package directions. Transfer the melted candy to a small squeeze bottle.
- Begin squeezing the melted candy onto the parchment paper beside the Oreo ball, then move the bottle over the ball to create a smooth drizzle or swirl. Starting beside the ball can help create a cleaner decorative pattern.
- Repeat with the second color if desired. Allow the coating and decorations to set before transferring the Oreo balls to a storage container.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes approximately 28 Oreo balls.
Preparation and chilling time: approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 28
The exact preparation time can vary depending on how quickly the Oreo balls are shaped, dipped, and decorated. Additional chilling time can also be used without affecting the recipe.
Variations
Regular Oreo Balls: Use classic Oreo cookies instead of mint Oreos for a traditional cookies-and-cream flavor.
Mint Christmas Oreo Balls: Choose Mint Oreo Cookies to give the treats a refreshing chocolate-mint flavor that works especially well during the holidays.
White Chocolate Oreo Balls: Coat all of the Oreo balls with white almond bark and decorate them with red and green sprinkles.
Chocolate Oreo Balls: Use chocolate almond bark for a rich, chocolate-covered version. A drizzle of white coating can provide an attractive contrast.
Mixed Christmas Platter: Coat half of the Oreo balls in white almond bark and the other half in chocolate almond bark. Decorate each batch differently for a varied holiday dessert tray.
Candy Cane Oreo Balls: Sprinkle finely crushed candy canes over the freshly coated balls for extra peppermint flavor and a festive red-and-white finish.
Snowball Oreo Truffles: Cover the Oreo balls completely in white almond bark and decorate them with white sanding sugar or festive snowflake sprinkles.
Red and Green Drizzle: Keep the base coating simple and drizzle alternating lines of red and green candy melts across the top.
Storage/Reheating
Store Oreo balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For the best texture and freshness, keep them chilled until shortly before serving.
They can remain at room temperature for a few hours while being served, but because the filling contains cream cheese, they should not be left unrefrigerated for extended periods.
For longer storage, Oreo balls can also be frozen. Place the completely set balls in a freezer-safe airtight container, separating layers with parchment or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
Oreo balls do not need reheating. They are intended to be served chilled or after sitting briefly at room temperature to soften slightly.
FAQs
Can I use regular Oreos instead of Mint Oreos?
Yes. Regular Oreo cookies work perfectly and create the familiar cookies-and-cream flavor. Mint Oreos simply add an extra seasonal flavor to the recipe.
Do I remove the Oreo cream before crushing the cookies?
No. Crush the whole Oreo cookies, including the cream centers. The filling contributes sweetness and helps create the smooth truffle-like center.
Can I make Oreo balls without a food processor?
Yes. Put the Oreo cookies in a sturdy resealable plastic bag, remove excess air, seal it, and crush the cookies with a rolling pin. Try to make the crumbs as fine and uniform as possible.
Why do Oreo balls need to be chilled before dipping?
Chilling firms the cream cheese and cookie mixture. Firm Oreo balls hold their shape better and are easier to dip into warm melted almond bark without falling apart.
Why is my chocolate coating too thick?
Overheating can affect the consistency of the coating. Melt almond bark gradually and stir frequently. Heating small batches at a time also makes the coating easier to manage.
How do I get a smooth coating on Oreo balls?
Make sure the Oreo balls are firm before dipping and that the almond bark is completely melted and smooth. Use a fork to lower each ball into the coating, lift it out, and gently tap away the excess before transferring it to parchment paper.
When should I add the Christmas sprinkles?
Add sprinkles immediately after dipping each Oreo ball. Once the almond bark sets, the sprinkles will no longer stick easily.
Can I make Christmas Oreo balls ahead of time?
Yes. They are a convenient make-ahead holiday dessert because they can be prepared and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve them.
Can Oreo balls be frozen?
Yes. Once the coating is completely set, arrange the Oreo balls in a freezer-safe container with parchment or wax paper between layers. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
How can I keep Oreo balls from cracking after dipping?
Avoid extreme temperature differences between the chilled centers and warm coating. The balls should be firm but do not need to be frozen solid, and the almond bark should be smoothly melted rather than excessively hot.
Conclusion
Oreo Balls for Christmas are an easy way to turn a few simple ingredients into a festive holiday dessert. The creamy Oreo and cream cheese filling, smooth chocolate coating, colorful sprinkles, and red and green drizzle make each bite rich, sweet, and perfect for the season.
Because they require no baking and can be prepared ahead of time, these Oreo balls are especially convenient for busy holiday celebrations. Make them with classic or mint Oreos, switch between white and chocolate coatings, and decorate each batch differently to create a colorful assortment for Christmas parties, dessert trays, cookie exchanges, or homemade gifts.
Oreo Balls for Christmas
Festive Oreo Balls combine creamy crushed Oreos with cream cheese, a smooth chocolate coating, colorful candy drizzle, and Christmas sprinkles. These easy no-bake treats are perfect for holiday parties, cookie trays, and gifting.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 28 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 package (1 pound 4 oz) Mint Oreo Cookies or 1 package (standard size – approximately 36 cookies) regular flavored Oreo Cookies
- 1 block (8 oz) Cream Cheese, softened
- Almond Bark – white and chocolate – start with 16 oz and melt 4 squares at a time, adding more as needed
- Christmas Sprinkles
- Red and Green Candy Melts
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the softened cream cheese to a large bowl.
- Crush the Oreo cookies, including the centers, in a food processor until fine crumbs form. If you do not have a food processor, place the cookies in a resealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Add the Oreo crumbs to the bowl with the cream cheese.
- Stir the cream cheese and cookie crumbs together until thoroughly combined.
- Using a 2 tablespoon cookie dough scoop, portion the mixture into balls.
- Roll each portion between your hands until smooth.
- Arrange the Oreo balls on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Place 4 squares of almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute and stir. Continue heating in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval. Stop heating when only a few small pieces remain, then stir until completely melted.
- Using a fork, dip each chilled Oreo ball into the melted almond bark and gently shake off the excess coating.
- Place the coated Oreo ball back onto the parchment-lined cookie sheet, using another fork or a knife to gently slide it off the fork.
- Add Christmas sprinkles immediately before the coating sets.
- Melt the red and green candy melts separately in microwave-safe bowls, then transfer them to small squeeze bottles.
- Begin squeezing the melted candy onto the parchment paper beside each Oreo ball, then continue the motion to create a decorative swirl over the top of the ball.
- Repeat with the second candy melt color, if desired.
- Allow the coating and decorations to set, then refrigerate the Oreo balls until ready to serve.
Notes
- Mint Oreos give these treats an extra festive flavor, but regular Oreos work well too.
- The amount of almond bark needed depends on how many Oreo balls you coat and whether you apply more than one coating. Start with 16 oz and melt 4 squares at a time.
- Chilling the Oreo balls for longer than 30 minutes is fine and can make dipping easier.
- Add sprinkles immediately after dipping each ball so they adhere before the coating sets.
- Store the finished Oreo balls in the refrigerator until ready to serve. They can remain at room temperature for a few hours.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Oreo ball
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
