Christmas Sugar Cookie Balls Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive treat that’ll wow your friends and family this holiday season, you’re going to want to try my Christmas Sugar Cookie Balls Recipe. These little bites are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies—soft, creamy, and coated in gorgeous white chocolate with sprinkles that scream Christmas cheer. They’re super easy to make, and I promise, once you taste one, you’ll be hooked!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Christmas Sugar Cookie Balls Recipe is that it uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together in a snap. Each ingredient plays a key role in texture and flavor, so knowing a little about them will help you get the best result.

• Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese is the secret to that rich, creamy center—make sure it’s at room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Lofthouse Cookies: These soft sugar cookies add that nostalgic sweet flavor and ideal crumbly texture when crushed.
• White Chocolate Melting Wafers: I always use good-quality melting wafers—they melt evenly and harden with a beautiful shine.
• Nonpareil Sprinkles: Add a classic festive crunch and vibrant color that completes the look.
• Red and Green Candy Melts (Optional): These make for a pretty drizzle topping, taking the cookies from cute to showstopper.

Variations

One of the best things about this Christmas Sugar Cookie Balls Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I love swapping out toppings or even tweaking the cookie base to fit my mood or dietary needs.

• Chocolate Lovers’ Twist: Sometimes I add mini chocolate chips straight into the cookie ball mixture for an extra surprise in every bite.
• Gluten-Free Edition: Try gluten-free sugar cookies if you need to keep it allergy-friendly—you’ll still get that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Festive Colors: Beyond red and green candy melts, using pastel colors or even gold and silver sprinkles makes for an elegant winter party look.
• Nutty Upgrade: Crushed pecans or almonds mixed into the dough add a lovely crunch and depth of flavor.

How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Balls Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Cheese and Mix

First things first, get that cream cheese softened—it should be super easy to stir without lumps. I usually leave mine out for about 30-40 minutes before starting. Using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until perfectly smooth. This step ensures the base for the cookie balls is creamy and luscious, which makes the whole thing melt in your mouth. Then, crumble the Lofthouse cookies into small pieces right into the same bowl and mix it all together until it’s nicely blended. It might look crumbly at first, but keep mixing—you want every bite to have that sweet sugar cookie flavor.

Step 2: Scoop and Shape into Balls

Grab a medium cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the mixture. I like to roll each portion between my palms to create smooth, even balls because it really helps them stay together after chilling. Place each ball on a parchment-lined baking tray. This step is where patience pays off—don’t rush rolling or your hands may get sticky, and you want smooth balls, not cracked ones. Once you’re done, pop the tray in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours to let the balls set. Chilling is crucial—it helps the balls stay firm when you dip them in chocolate.

Step 3: Dip in White Chocolate and Decorate

Next up is the magical white chocolate coating. I melt the Ghirardelli white chocolate wafers in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring really well each time to avoid burning. When the chocolate is silky and smooth, use a fork to dip each chilled cookie ball, coating it fully. Tap off any extra chocolate carefully—too much coating will make them heavy and prone to cracking. While the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle on your nonpareil sprinkles immediately. If you want to get fancy, melt the red and green candy melts and drizzle them over after the white chocolate has set. It looks so pretty, and it adds that extra festive touch!

Step 4: Chill and Serve

Finally, pop your decorated cookie balls back into the fridge for at least 10 minutes to let the coatings firm up. Store them refrigerated until serving so they maintain their shape and texture. Believe me, these are always a hit at holiday parties—you’ll get so many compliments!

How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookie Balls Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping these cookie balls with classic nonpareil sprinkles because they bring a fun, nostalgic crunch and a burst of color that screams holiday. Sometimes, I add a light dusting of edible glitter for an extra sparkle, especially when gifting. For a modern look, drizzle some dark chocolate over the white coating or swap candy melts for pastel colors if it’s a Christmas brunch.

Side Dishes

These cookie balls shine as a dessert centerpiece alongside a cup of hot cocoa or peppermint-spiked coffee. I also like serving them with a festive fruit platter—cranberries and clementines balance the sweetness nicely. For holiday parties, pair them with mini cheesecakes or a rich chocolate fountain for dunking.

Creative Ways to Present

Presentation-wise, these cookie balls are so versatile. I’ve wrapped them individually in clear cellophane tied with red ribbon for thoughtful party favors. Another time, I arranged them on tiered dessert trays with matching holiday ornaments for a festive evening event. You could even serve them in decorative cupcake liners or stack them in a jar as a sweet gift idea—everyone loves an edible takeaway!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After my family devours most of these, I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. I find the flavors even deepen a bit after a day, which is a nice surprise if you’re prepping ahead.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cookie balls before with great success! After dipping and decorating, place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment and freeze until firm. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight. The texture stays soft, and the coating remains perfectly intact.

Reheating

You really don’t need to reheat these cookie balls—they taste best chilled. If you want to bring them closer to room temperature, take them out of the fridge about 20 minutes before serving. This softens the cream cheese center for a melt-in-your-mouth sensation without compromising the chocolate shell.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Christmas Sugar Cookie Balls Recipe brings a little extra magic to holiday baking with minimal fuss. When I first made them years ago, they quickly became a staple at my family’s festive gatherings for their rich flavor and cute presentation. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and sharing these as much as we do. So grab those ingredients, invite your favorite people, and get ready to make some sweet, festive memories!

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