These Christmas Oreo Balls are tiny, festive truffles that practically disappear at holiday parties. They combine crushed Oreos, cream cheese, and a chocolate coating for a rich, no-bake treat I’ve made dozens of times for family gatherings. I tested variations of coating and chill time to land on a reliably smooth finish every batch.
Why Make This Recipe
- Fast and no-bake: you can make them in about 30 minutes plus chilling time, which is perfect for busy holiday prep.
- Crowd-pleaser: the chocolate-Oreo combo is almost universally loved and great for potlucks or cookie exchanges.
- Make-ahead friendly: you can refrigerate or freeze them, saving stress on the big day.
- Customizable: color, toppings, and coating let you match themes or dietary needs.
- Personal insight: I love this recipe because it turns a few pantry staples into an elegant bite-sized dessert with minimal effort.
Recipe Overview
- Prep time: 15 minutes active
- Chill time: 30–60 minutes (plus optional extra chilling)
- Total time: 45–75 minutes
- Servings: about 30 truffles (1-inch balls)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Method: No-bake assembly, shaping, chilling, and dipping in melted chocolate (use a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl).
My Experience Making This Recipe
I tested this recipe across several batches, adjusting cream cheese ratio and chill time to avoid crumbly or too-soft centers. The biggest discovery was that chilling the formed balls at least 30 minutes makes dipping cleaner and prevents the coating from cracking.
How to Make Christmas Oreo Balls: The Ultimate Festive Dessert Truffle
Start by pulsing whole Oreo cookies (filling included) in a food processor to fine crumbs, then mix with softened cream cheese until uniform. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls, chill on a parchment-lined tray, then dip in tempered or gently melted chocolate and add festive sprinkles while the coating is still wet. Expect simple steps but pay attention to chilling and chocolate temperature for best results.
Expert Tips for Success
- Use room-temperature cream cheese (about 70°F / 21°C) for smooth mixing and fewer streaks; overworking cold cream cheese creates lumps.
- Pulse Oreos to a fine crumb in a food processor for even texture; if you don’t have one, place cookies in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin.
- Chill the formed balls for at least 30 minutes (or 10–15 minutes in the freezer) before dipping to reduce crumbling and prevent them from falling apart.
- When melting chocolate, use a double boiler or microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between bursts to avoid burning; keep chocolate around 88–90°F (31–32°C) for best shine if you want a glossy finish.
- Use a fork or dipping tool and tap off excess chocolate gently; place on parchment and add decorations immediately so they adhere.
How to Serve Christmas Oreo Balls
- Arrange them on a festive platter with holly or rosemary sprigs for a seasonal display.
- Serve alongside coffee or hot cocoa for an indulgent dessert pairing.
- Pack them in small boxes or muffin liners as edible gifts for neighbors and coworkers.
- For a party, put them on a tiered tray with other bite-sized sweets for variety and visual appeal.
Storage and Reheating Guide
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 10 days; place parchment layers between layers to prevent sticking.
- Freeze for up to 3 months in a single layer until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container; thaw in the fridge for 2–3 hours before serving.
- No reheating needed — these are best served chilled or at cool room temperature; avoid microwaving chocolate-coated truffles as it will melt the exterior.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-free: use gluten-free sandwich cookies or crush gluten-free chocolate wafers with similar texture.
- Dairy-free: use dairy-free cream cheese and dairy-free baking cookies, then coat with vegan chocolate chips.
- Cheesecake twist: fold 2–3 tablespoons of cream cheese blended with a teaspoon of vanilla into the crumbs for a tangier center — see this cheesecake truffle take for inspiration Christmas Oreo Cheesecake Truffles.
- Flavor add-ins: stir 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract for a peppermint version, or add 1–2 tablespoons of cocoa powder for an extra-chocolate center.
Nutritional Highlights
- These are high in fat and sugar, so treat them as an occasional indulgence and enjoy in small portions (1–2 pieces).
- Key ingredients include dairy (cream cheese) and wheat (Oreos), so they contain common allergens — see variations above for gluten-free and dairy-free options.
- They provide quick energy from sugar and can be served in small quantities as a festive treat rather than a meal replacement.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Problem: Truffles fall apart when dipping. Solution: Chill the balls longer (30–60 minutes) or firm them in the freezer for 10–15 minutes before dipping.
- Problem: Chocolate coating looks dull or streaky. Solution: Don’t overheat chocolate; melt slowly and stir frequently. For gloss, temper chocolate or add a small amount (1 tsp) of coconut oil to improve shine.
- Problem: Sprinkles sink or slide off. Solution: Apply sprinkles immediately after dipping while chocolate is still wet; heavier decorations may need a small dab of melted chocolate as glue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make the Oreo balls ahead of time for a party?
A: Yes. You can make them 2–3 days ahead and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container, or freeze for up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge a few hours before serving.
Q: What’s the best chocolate to use for coating?
A: Use good-quality semisweet or white chocolate chips or couverture chocolate. If using chips, add a teaspoon of neutral oil (like vegetable or coconut) per cup to improve melting and gloss. Tempering is ideal if you want professional shine and snap.
Q: Can I skip the cream cheese?
A: Cream cheese is key for binding and flavor. If you need a no-dairy option, use a similar-textured dairy-free cream cheese substitute. Avoid skipping the binder entirely, or the mixture will be too crumbly to form balls.
Q: How do I make uniform, professional-looking balls?
A: Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion, then roll between your palms in one smooth motion. Chill the scooped balls before smoothing any imperfections to keep shapes consistent.
Conclusion
For more inspiration and variations, check these helpful recipes and guides: Christmas Oreo Balls – Build Your Bite, No Bake Oreo Balls for Christmas – CenterCutCook, Festive Christmas Oreo Balls – Sugar and Soul, Christmas Oreo Balls | Baked Bree, and Easy Oreo Balls Recipe with 3 Ingredients. These links offer visual ideas, alternative coatings, and packaging tips that pair well with this recipe.
Christmas Oreo Balls
- Total Time: 45
- Yield: 30 truffles 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive no-bake truffles made with crushed Oreos and cream cheese, coated in chocolate for a rich, indulgent treat.
Ingredients
- 24 Oreo cookies
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 12 oz chocolate (semisweet or white) for coating
- Festive sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Pulse the Oreo cookies in a food processor until they become fine crumbs.
- Mix the crushed Oreos with softened cream cheese until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and chill on a parchment-lined tray for at least 30 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate using a double boiler or microwave.
- Dip each chilled ball into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off.
- Add sprinkles to the chocolate coating while it’s still wet.
- Place the dipped balls back on parchment to set.
Notes
Chill the formed balls longer to avoid crumbling during dipping. Using room-temperature cream cheese helps with smoother mixing.
- Prep Time: 15
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake assembly and chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg