It’s that frenzied-shopping, budget-breaking, stress-inducing time of year again – it’s Christmastime. The good news? It’s also time to start baking Christmas cookies! If you’re looking for ways to cut corners this year, cookies make great (and inexpensive) gifts. Avoid the traffic, crowded stores and long lines this season, and get the whole family involved. From the delightful aroma of cookies baking, to the joy of giving sweet treats to loved ones, nothing spreads holiday cheer like a delicious batch of baked goods.
Want your Christmas cookies to be remembered long after the last bite? Cookie balls are the next best thing in holiday gift-giving. Whatís more, theyíre the no-bake, no-stress alternative to making sweets. These bite-size balls are super fun to decorate and can even be made into cookie ball pops (similar to cake pops). If youíre looking for creative cookie recipes, as well as tips on how to make cookie balls, these melt-in-your-mouth treats are sure to please.
1) Reindeer Cookie Ball Pops
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
- 40 Nabisco Ginger Snaps, finely crushed (about 2-1/4 cups)
- 2 pkg. (8 squares each) Bakerís Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted
- 1-1/4 cups candy-coated chocolate pieces
- 1 cup small pretzel twists, broken into pieces
Directions
- Mix cream cheese and ginger snap crumbs until well blended.
- Shape into 30 (1-inch) balls; place in single layer in shallow pan. Freeze 10 minutes. Dip balls in chocolate; place in single layer in waxed paper-lined pan. Insert lollipop stick into each ball. Decorate with candies and pretzels as shown in photo.
- Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Keep refrigerated.
Cookie Balls Tip #1!
When making cookie balls, just remember the 3-2-1 formula:
3 cups of cookie crumbs + 2 packages of Bakerís chocolate + 1 brick of cream cheese = The worldís best Christmas cookies!
2) Oreo-Raspberry Cookie Balls
Servings: 48
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 pkg. (16.6 oz.) Oreo Cookies, finely crushed
- 1/4 cup raspberry jam
- 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 1 square Bakerís White Chocolate, melted
- 2 drops†red food coloring
- 2 pkg. (8 squares each) Bakerís Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted
Directions
- Mix first 4 ingredients until well blended.
- Shape into 48 (1-inch) balls. Freeze 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix white chocolate and food coloring until well blended.
- Dip balls in semi-sweet chocolate; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan. Drizzle with pink chocolate. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.
Cookie Balls Tip #2!
To soften the cream cheese, place the (unwrapped) package of cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave on HIGH for 10 seconds. This is a great tip for making all kinds of Christmas cookies.
3) Teddy Grahams-Cinnamon Cookie Balls
Servings: 24
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Honey Nut Flavor Cream Cheese Spread
- 2-1/3 cups†Teddy Grahams Cinnamon Graham Snacks, finely crushed (about 1-1/2 cups)
- 1-1/2 pkg. (8 squares each) Bakerís Semi-Sweet Chocolate (12 squares), melted
- 1/2 cup†cinnamon red hot candies, crushed
Directions
- Mix cream cheese and graham crumbs until well blended.
- Shape into 24 (1-inch) balls. Dip in chocolate; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan. Sprinkle with crushed candies.
- Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.
Cookie Balls Tip #3!
To crush cookies finely and evenly, put them in a resealable plastic storage bag and go over them with a rolling pin. (You may also use a food processor to crush cookies.)
4) Nilla-Banana Cookie Balls
Servings: 36
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
- 60 Nilla Wafers, finely crushed (about 2 cups)
- 1/3 cup mashed ripe bananas
- 2 pkg. (6 squares each) Bakerís White Chocolate, melted
- 8 drops yellow food coloring
- 1/3 cup†finely chopped Planters Pecans
- 2 squares Bakerís Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted
Directions
- Mix cream cheese, cookie crumbs and bananas until well blended.
- Shape into 36 (1-inch) balls. Mix white chocolate and food coloring. Dip balls in melted chocolate; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan. Sprinkle with nuts; drizzle with semi-sweet chocolate.
- Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.
Cookie Balls Tip #4!
The cookie crumbs and cream cheese mixture should almost resemble a paste or the inside of a truffle. Stir them until you get a soft, consistent texture to create delicious Christmas cookies.
5) Christmas Tree Cookie Ball Pops
Servings: 40
Ingredients
- 6 oz. (3/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 pkg. (15.25 oz.) Oreo Cool Mint Creme Cookies, finely crushed (about 4 cups)
- 2 pkg. (6 squares each) Bakerís White Chocolate, melted
- 6 drops†green food coloring
- 3 Tbsp. green and/or white decorating icings
- 40 cinnamon red hot candies
Directions
- Mix cream cheese and cookie crumbs until well blended.
- Shape into 40 (1-inch) balls; place in single layer in shallow pan. Freeze 10 minutes. Mix melted chocolate and food coloring until well blended. Dip balls in chocolate; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan. Insert lollipop stick into each ball. Decorate with decorating icing and candies as shown in photo.
- Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Keep refrigerated.
Cookie Balls Tip #5!
To make the right amount (40 servings), use a 1-inch cookie scoop. Then, roll the mixture with your hands to achieve a perfect cookie ball.