Christmas Oreo Balls are little bites of holiday magic tucked into perfect, round treats. Made by crushing classic Oreo cookies and mixing them with cream cheese, these balls get coated in smooth, festive chocolate and decorated with sprinkles or candy canes for a cheerful touch. They’re sweet, creamy, and a bit crunchy all at once, making them a favorite holiday dessert.
I love making these because they’re so simple yet always impress everyone who tries them. Mixing the crushed Oreos and cream cheese is like playing with cookie dough, but better since you know the end result is going to be delicious. One handy tip I’ve found is to chill the balls before dipping them in chocolate—it helps them keep their shape and makes dipping way easier.
These little Oreo balls are my go-to gift to bring to parties or share with neighbors. I usually put them in a festive box or jar, and they disappear so quickly you’d think they were made by Santa’s elves! They’re the perfect mix of classic cookies and holiday cheer, and every bite feels like a sweet celebration.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Oreos: Classic Oreos work best for that perfect chocolate and cream flavor. If you have dietary restrictions, gluten-free Oreos or similar sandwich cookies can be great substitutes.
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese adds creaminess and holds the balls together. For a lighter option, you could try Neufchatel cheese, which tastes similar but has less fat.
Chocolate Coatings: I love using white chocolate and milk chocolate candy melts for easy melting and coating. If you prefer, regular chocolate chips work too, but add a bit of coconut oil or shortening to get a smooth melting texture.
Sprinkles: Festive sprinkles bring the holiday vibe. Nonpareils, crushed candy canes, or edible glitter can be fun alternatives to add color and crunch.
How Can I Make Smooth, Evenly Coated Oreo Balls?
Dipping the chilled Oreo balls into melted chocolate is the key step. To get smooth, even coating:
- Chill the Oreo balls well before dipping so they hold their shape and the chocolate sets faster.
- Use a fork or dipping tool to lower the balls into the chocolate, then gently tap the fork on the bowl edge to remove excess.
- Place dipped balls on parchment paper to prevent sticking and let them set at room temperature or in the fridge.
- If the chocolate thickens, gently reheat in short bursts in the microwave, stirring each time to keep it smooth.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Food processor or plastic bag with rolling pin – I use this to crush the Oreos quickly and finely.
- Large mixing bowl – perfect for mixing the crushed Oreos and cream cheese until combined.
- Baking sheet with parchment paper – gives the Oreo balls a non-stick surface to chill and set.
- Microwave-safe bowls – for melting the white and milk chocolates easily.
- Forks or dipping tools – make dipping the balls smooth and mess-free.
- Sprinkle spoons or small spoons – for adding sprinkles to the coated balls.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Use crushed peppermint candies or sprinkle crushed candy canes on the white chocolate coating for extra holiday flavor.
- Mix in chopped nuts, like pecans or almonds, into the Oreo mixture for crunch and richness.
- Add a splash of peppermint extract or vanilla to the cream cheese mixture for a flavor boost.
- Swap semi-sweet chocolate for dark or white chocolate for different taste profiles and colors.
Christmas Oreo Balls
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Main Ingredients:
- 36 Oreo cookies (about 1 package), finely crushed
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
For Coating:
- 12 oz (340g) white chocolate or vanilla candy melts
- 12 oz (340g) milk or semi-sweet chocolate or candy melts
- Christmas-themed sprinkles (red, green, and white)
- Optional: additional white chocolate for drizzle
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes for preparation and mixing, plus at least 1 hour of chilling time to firm up the Oreo balls. Coating and decorating will take another 20 minutes. Allow some extra time for the chocolate to fully set before serving.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Crushing the Oreos:
Put the Oreo cookies in a food processor and pulse until finely crushed. If you don’t have a food processor, put the cookies in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until finely ground.
2. Mixing with Cream Cheese:
In a large bowl, combine the crushed Oreos and softened cream cheese. Mix well until everything is blended into a smooth, dough-like consistency.
3. Forming the Oreo Balls:
Take about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a smooth ball using your hands. Put each ball onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all the mixture is used.
4. Chilling the Balls:
Place the baking sheet with the Oreo balls into the fridge and chill for at least 1 hour, or until they are firm and ready to dip.
5. Melting the Chocolate:
In separate microwave-safe bowls, melt the white chocolate and the milk or semi-sweet chocolate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is smooth and melted.
6. Coating the Oreo Balls:
Dip half the chilled Oreo balls into the melted white chocolate using a fork to coat them evenly. Let any extra chocolate drip off before placing them back on the parchment paper.
7. Adding Sprinkles:
Quickly sprinkle the white chocolate-covered balls with the Christmas-themed sprinkles before the chocolate hardens.
8. Coating the Remaining Balls:
Dip the other half of the Oreo balls into the melted milk or semi-sweet chocolate and place them on the parchment paper.
9. Decorating and Setting:
Add sprinkles to the milk chocolate-covered balls while the chocolate is still wet. If you like, drizzle extra melted white chocolate over these for a pretty finishing touch. Let all the Oreo balls fully set at room temperature or in the fridge before serving.
10. Serving and Storing:
Enjoy your Christmas Oreo Balls chilled or at room temperature. Keep any leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
Can I Use Frozen Oreos for This Recipe?
It’s best to use Oreos at room temperature for easy crushing. If your Oreos are frozen, let them thaw completely before crushing so they break down evenly.
How Long Can I Store Christmas Oreo Balls?
Store the Oreo balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months and thaw in the fridge before serving.
Can I Substitute the Cream Cheese?
You can use Neufchatel cheese for a lower-fat option, or even mascarpone for a richer flavor. Avoid using flavored cream cheese to keep the classic taste intact.
What’s the Best Way to Melt Chocolate for Coating?
Use a microwave-safe bowl and heat the chocolate in 30-second bursts, stirring well each time to prevent burning. If the chocolate gets too thick, add a teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening to smooth it out.