Peppermint Oreo Balls Recipe

I’m thrilled to present my Peppermint Oreo Balls recipe that artfully blends 36 finely crushed Oreo cookies, softened cream cheese, and a hint of peppermint extract with melted white chocolate chips. This playful Christmas Food Desserts creation, finished with a crunchy candy cane garnish, is a nod to festive treats.

I’ve always been fascinated by the twist peppermint brings to chocolate treats so I experimented with a recipe that turned out to be both playful and indulgent. I started with 36 finely crushed Oreo cookies mixed perfectly with 8 oz of cream cheese that had been softened just right.

Adding a subtle hint of 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract made the mixture pop with a lively flavor, perfect for those who love a spirited holiday treat. I then folded in 8 oz of melted white chocolate chips and shaped them into little balls.

For an extra burst of crunch and color, I coated the balls with about 1 cup of crushed candy canes. It’s a fun mix of sweet chocolate and a unique twist that brings a fresh vibe to Xmas cookies and Christmas snacks.

Every bite is a reminder of festive celebrations without being too over the top. Give it a try at your next dessert party or holiday get together.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because it mixes crunchy, crushed Oreos with smooth cream cheese and melted white chocolate that just melts in your mouth. I like the fresh minty kick from the peppermint extract which makes the flavor pop and feels different than your everyday candy. The candy canes add a fun, festive crunch that makes every bite interesting and not too sweet. It’s also super easy to whip up and perfect for sharing with friends when I want to impress them with a cool, homemade treat.

Ingredients

• Crushed Oreos offer carbs and a sweet, familiar taste, but they aren’t exactly healthy.
• Cream cheese adds a smooth, creamy texture along with a hint of protein.
• Peppermint extract gives a bold, cooling flavor that really pops in every bite.
• Melted white chocolate chips bring rich sweetness and a smooth finish, though they’re high in sugar.
• Crushed candy canes top off the treat with extra minty crunch and festive, colorful flair.

Ingredient Quantities

• 36 Oreo cookies, crushed finely
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened a bit
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 8 oz white chocolate chips, melted
• About 1 cup crushed candy canes for dipping and garnish

How to Make this

1. Crush the Oreo cookies into very fine crumbs and set them aside.

2. In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with the crushed cookies and peppermint extract until they are well combined.

3. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to make it easier to handle.

4. Scoop out a spoonful of the chilled mixture and roll it between your hands to form a ball roughly one inch in diameter.

5. Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 20 seconds to prevent burning.

6. Dip each Oreo ball into the melted white chocolate using a fork or toothpick to make it easier.

7. Roll the dipped balls in the crushed candy canes to coat them evenly, adding some extra crunch and flavor.

8. Place the finished balls on a parchment-lined tray while the chocolate is still wet.

9. Refrigerate the tray for at least one hour to let the chocolate set and firm up the balls.

10. Enjoy your homemade Peppermint Oreo Balls as a sweet treat with a minty twist!

Equipment Needed

1. Food processor or a zip-lock bag with a rolling pin to crush the Oreos
2. Medium mixing bowl for blending the cream cheese, cookie crumbs, and peppermint extract
3. Refrigerator to chill the mixture and let the chocolate set
4. Spoon or small ice cream scoop for forming the balls
5. Microwave-safe bowl to melt the white chocolate chips
6. Fork or toothpicks to help dip the balls into the melted chocolate
7. Parchment-paper lined tray to rest the dipped balls before refrigerating

FAQ

Peppermint Oreo Balls Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of crushed Oreo cookies you can try using chocolate wafer cookies or even graham crackers if you’re into a different crunch.
• If you’re out of cream cheese, try using mascarpone or even ricotta; it might change the taste a bit but still works fine.
• Not a fan of peppermint extract? Use just a drop of peppermint oil instead, but go easy cuz it’s way stronger.
• Can’t find white chocolate chips? You can melt up a white chocolate bar, breaking it in small pieces, or even swap out with milk chocolate chips if you dont mind the extra sweetness.
• If you dont have crushed candy canes, crushed peppermint candies will do and still give you that minty kick.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure yoour cream cheese is really soft so it mixes well with the Oreo crumbs; if it’s too hard, you’ll get clumps that ruin the smooth texture of the balls.
2. When melting the white chocolate, use short bursts in the microwave and stir it in between so it doesn’t burn or get grainy, which happens to the best of us.
3. Chill the cookie and cream cheese mix longer if it feels too sticky to handle – a colder mix makes it easier to shape into balls and less messy on your hands.
4. If your candy canes are not fully crushed, give them another quick pulse in the bag – evenly crushed candy canes make for a better coating.
5. When dipping the balls in chocolate, try letting the balls sit on the parchment for a minute before moving them into the fridge so that the chocolate starts to set slightly and doesn’t slide off.