Christmas Oreo Balls Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s easy to whip up and absolutely addictive, you’ve got to try this Christmas Oreo Balls Recipe. I’m telling you, these little bites are a holiday game-changer—cream cheese and Oreo crumbs combine into something magically delicious, then they get dipped in colorful candy melts and topped with adorable buttercream bows. If you’ve never made Oreo balls before, you’re going to love how simple—and fun—they are to make. Keep reading and I’ll walk you through every delightful step!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

To get the perfect Christmas Oreo balls, you want your ingredients fresh and simple. The classic combo of Oreos and cream cheese gives you that creamy, crunchy center, and then the candy melts add the festive flair. Don’t skip softening your cream cheese—it really makes a big difference in how smooth your balls turn out.

• Oreos: I use the classic sandwich cookies, but you can experiment with fudge-covered Oreos for a richer flavor twist.
• Cream Cheese: Softened to room temp for easy mixing and that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Peppermint Extract (optional): Adds a refreshing holiday vibe—start with a little and adjust based on your taste.
• Red and Green Candy Melts: These give you those beautiful holiday colors and a shiny, crisp coating after dipping.
• Vegetable Shortening or Oil: A couple teaspoons help thin the candy melts for smoother dipping.
• Unsalted Butter: Room temperature for smooth, creamy buttercream.
• Powdered Sugar: To sweeten and structure your buttercream bows perfectly.
• Pearl Ball Candies: The finishing touch for decorating your bows—tiny details make a big impression!

Variations

I love mixing things up depending on my mood or the crowd. You’ll find tons of ways to customize this Christmas Oreo Balls Recipe to make it your own holiday signature treat.

• Minty Delight: I add extra peppermint extract to give it that classic candy-cane zing, and my family absolutely goes crazy for it.
• Chocolate Overload: Swap the red and green candy melts for white or dark chocolate for a less colorful but extra rich presentation.
• Nutty Twist: Roll the un-dipped Oreo balls in crushed nuts before refrigerating for a crunchy surprise inside the candy shell.
• Vegan Version: Use dairy-free cream cheese and vegan candy melts to make these allergen-friendly without compromising flavor.

How to Make Christmas Oreo Balls Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oreo Crumbs Perfect

First off, I always start by blending half the Oreos into crumbs, then pulse the rest until they’re as fine as you can get. This helps avoid any big chunks that can make rolling tricky. A food processor works best, but if you don’t have one, you can put the Oreos in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin—just be patient! Transfer those crumbs to a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Mix in Cream Cheese & Peppermint

Make sure that cream cheese is soft—if it’s still a bit cold, it can ruin your texture. I beat it with the Oreo crumbs using a hand mixer until it’s smooth and combined. This step took me a few tries to get right; too much mixing and it gets sticky, too little and the crumbs stay dry. If you want that festive pop, add your peppermint extract here—it distributes best now.

Step 3: Shape Your Oreo Balls

I love using a small cookie scoop to get consistent sizes—no one wants lopsided Oreo balls! Then, I roll and gently shape them into square-ish bites (yes, square!) because it makes them unique and easier to dip without rolling off your spoon. Place each on a silicone baking mat-lined tray, and pop them in the fridge for about 20 minutes to firm up. This chill time is key—it helps the candy coating stick later.

Step 4: Melt Candy Coating & Dip

Here’s my favorite part! On low heat, melt your candy melts with a teaspoon or two of vegetable shortening to smooth out the texture. Once melted, dunk each Oreo ball in the glossy chocolate, then use a fork to lift it out and scrape off any extra coating. This keeps your treats looking clean, not messy. Place the dipped balls back on your silicone mat and let them harden at room temperature while you prepare the buttercream.

Step 5: Whip Up the Buttercream and Decorate

While the coating sets, make a simple buttercream by beating butter until creamy, then mixing in powdered sugar until smooth. Transfer this to a piping bag with a small round tip. I love piping little cross lines to create the look of a gift box, then adding a tiny bow on top—it looks fancy but is super easy. Adding pearl candies on top of the bows adds that special sparkle that makes these Oreo balls perfect for Christmas gifting or parties.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Once your bows are set, your Christmas Oreo balls are ready to wow guests or brighten your holiday snack table. They’re also perfect to package up and share with neighbors or coworkers—just make sure to keep them refrigerated until serving!

How to Serve Christmas Oreo Balls Recipe

Garnishes

I usually finish mine with those pearl ball candies you can find at craft stores or baking aisles—they instantly elevate the look. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little edible glitter or crushed peppermint on top for extra sparkle and crunch. Garnishes aren’t just pretty; they add texture and a pop of festive magic.

Side Dishes

These Oreo balls are a stellar dessert by themselves, but if I’m setting up a holiday spread, I love pairing them with a warm cup of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider. They also complement a cheese and charcuterie board surprisingly well—sweet to balance savory is a total crowd pleaser.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange Christmas Oreo balls in trios on small parchment circles inside a festive box or tin. You can also thread toothpicks into each one and serve them as Oreo “cake pops.” If you want to go all out, wrap them in individual clear treat bags with a holiday ribbon—it’s an easy gift that looks store-bought but is made with love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which you probably will—these are addicting!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They keep well for up to a week, but honestly, they usually disappear faster in my house. Keeping them cool preserves the cream cheese freshness and candy shell crispness.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these a few times with great results. Just lay the Oreo balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.

Reheating

Since these are meant to be cool treats, I don’t recommend heating them. Instead, just remove from the fridge 10–15 minutes before serving so they’re not too cold, and the flavors can shine. The candy coating might soften slightly at room temp but won’t lose its charm.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Oreo Balls Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions—it’s an easy way to wow family and friends with minimal fuss, and honestly, it’s impossible not to smile when you bite into one. Whether you’re gifting these cuties or serving them alongside other festive treats, they bring that perfect sweet crunch and creamy softness that everyone loves. So grab a package of Oreos, a bit of cream cheese, and make this recipe your new holiday go-to—I promise you’ll be asked for the recipe year after year!

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