There’s just something magical about holiday treats that make celebrations feel extra cozy, and these Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe are exactly that—cute, festive, and oh-so-delicious. They’re the perfect bite-sized treat to make with the kids or bring to a holiday party for all to enjoy.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've made plenty of holiday treats over the years, but these Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe always bring a smile to everyone’s face. They’re fun to assemble, and the mix of creamy, crunchy, and chocolaty flavors hits all the right notes. Plus, they’re surprisingly simple to whip up—no fancy baking skills needed here!
- Festive & Fun: These Oreo balls transform a classic cookie into a charming holiday character, making your dessert table stand out.
- Kid-Friendly Activity: Rolling and decorating these little balls is a joyful way to get the whole family involved.
- Simple Ingredients: With just a few staples like Oreos, cream cheese, and chocolate, you’ve got everything you need on hand.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These treat balls keep well in the fridge, so you can prepare them days before your holiday party.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe is all about combining simple ingredients that come together to create a fun, creamy, and crunchy holiday treat. Each component has a purpose, so here’s a quick look at why each ingredient makes these Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe so delightful.
- Oreo Cookies: The crushed Oreos provide that classic chocolate-cookie crunch and sweetness; I prefer the classic flavor, but you can experiment with peppermint or birthday cake Oreos for festive twists.
- Cream Cheese: It’s the magic that binds the crumbs into a creamy, smooth center—make sure it’s softened to blend perfectly.
- Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers: These offer a smooth, glossy coating that hardens quickly; I love Ghirardelli for its rich flavor and ease of melting.
- Pretzel Twists: Broken pretzels double as adorable antlers, adding a salty crunch and holiday charm.
- Candy Eyes: They bring the reindeer to life—fun to stick on and instantly festive.
- M&M’s or Red Hots: These colorful candies make perfect noses, giving your reindeer that classic Rudolph or festive red look.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about making these Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe is that they’re incredibly adaptable. Whether you want to swap in different candy colors or try another coating, it’s easy to make this recipe your own.
- Flavor Variations: I’ve had great success using peppermint Oreos around Christmas for a minty surprise, or white chocolate wafers instead of dark chocolate for a sweeter coating.
- Nut-Free Option: Just be sure your chosen candies and pretzels don’t contain nuts if you need to keep it allergy-friendly—lots of safe store-bought options out there.
- Extra Festive: Sprinkle some edible glitter or colored sugar on the chocolate while it’s still wet for a sparkling finish.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe
Step 1: Crumble the Oreos to Perfection
Start by placing all your Oreo cookies into a food processor before pulsing them into fine crumbs. I like to give it a few extra pulses to make sure there are no big chunks—it helps the mixture hold together smoother. If you don’t have a processor, seal them in a bag and crush with a rolling pin until fine, just watch out for uneven pieces.
Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese and Oreo Crumbs
Next, beat your softened cream cheese until it’s nice and smooth using a hand mixer. Then add the Oreo crumbs and mix on medium speed until everything is combined. The mixture should be thick but pliable so you can roll it easily without it sticking too much to your hands.
Step 3: Shape the Balls and Chill
I use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough—it keeps all the balls uniform and super cute. Roll each scoop between your palms to create smooth spheres, then place them neatly on a parchment-lined tray. Don’t skip the chilling step: refrigerate for 2 hours to help them firm up for dipping.
Step 4: Melt the Chocolate Coating
I find that melting the chocolate wafers gently in a double boiler prevents scorching. If you’re in a hurry, microwave in short, 30-second bursts with stirring in between until completely smooth. This ensures a glossy finish and easy dipping.
Step 5: Dip, Decorate, and Enjoy!
Using a fork, dip each chilled Oreo ball into the melted chocolate, tap off the excess, and place it back on the tray. Quickly add two pretzel antlers, one candy nose, and two candy eyes while the chocolate is still wet—holding the nose for about 10 seconds helps it stick without sliding. Repeat and refrigerate to set.
Top Tip
From making these Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe a few times, I’ve learned some handy tips that really help you nail them every time and keep the process fun, not frustrating.
- Soften Cream Cheese Thoroughly: If your cream cheese is still cold, it won’t blend well and creates lumps—you can soften it faster by microwaving in 10-second increments.
- Even Oreo Crumbs: Pulsing until you get fine crumbs prevents gritty texture and helps everything stick better.
- Use Parchment Paper: It makes cleanup easy and prevents the balls from sticking to the tray during chilling and decorating.
- Work Quickly with Chocolate: When dipping and decorating, work in small batches so the chocolate doesn’t harden before you finish.
How to Serve Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it simple with candy eyes and colorful candy noses, but sometimes I add tiny sprinkles or edible glitter for a little sparkle under the holiday lights. A dusting of cocoa powder on the serving plate can add a snowy look that really cute.
Side Dishes
Serve these alongside a hot cup of cocoa or mulled wine for a perfect holiday pairing. They also go well with a fresh fruit platter or mixed nuts to balance out the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to arrange the reindeer Oreo balls on a festive platter lined with pine sprigs or holly. Another fun idea is to place each ball in a mini cupcake liner and wrap little bows around the forks—your guests will love the extra touch of holiday cheer!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These treats keep wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I recommend using a shallow container so the chocolate-topped balls don’t press into one another and lose their cute faces.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch ahead, you can freeze the Oreo balls before dipping and also the finished balls. Just thaw them in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to serve. I’ve found freezing doesn’t affect the texture much, which is a big win for holiday prep.
Reheating
I usually don’t reheat these since the chocolate coating is best enjoyed chilled. But if your chocolate loses its shine, a quick minute at room temperature helps restore that smooth look. Avoid microwaving, as it can melt the chocolate and affect the shape.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Flavored Oreos like peppermint or golden vanilla add a fun twist. Just use the same amount and crush them fine. Keep in mind that different flavors may slightly change the sweetness or color of the filling.
To keep the chocolate coating smooth and crack-free, melt it gently without overheating and cool the dipped balls in the refrigerator quickly but not for too long. Avoid drastic temperature changes, like putting frozen balls directly into warm environments. Cooling in a cool but not cold spot is best.
Yes! You can assemble and refrigerate the Oreo balls before dipping them in chocolate the next day. Keeping the balls chilled helps with easier dipping and better chocolate adhesion. Just cover them well and keep refrigerated until ready to dip.
You have lots of options! M&M’s and Red Hots are classic, but you can use small gumdrops, mini chocolate chips, or even tiny red jelly beans. Choose something that’s small, colorful, and can stick well to the chocolate coating.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, these Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe have become a staple in my holiday baking because they’re such a joyful way to spread festive cheer. I love how easy they are to personalize and how they turn ordinary ingredients into something delightful and whimsical. Give this recipe a try—you’ll have fun making them and be proud handing them off as sweet little gifts, or just sneaking a few yourself with a cup of warm cocoa.
Print
Reindeer Oreo Balls Homemade Holiday Treat Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 24 balls
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Reindeer Oreo Balls are a festive and fun no-bake treat perfect for holiday parties. Made with crushed Oreo cookies and cream cheese, dipped in melted dark chocolate, and decorated with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and red noses, these adorable treats are sure to delight both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 45 Oreo Cookies (about 1 18oz. package)
- 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 15 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate melting wafers
Decorations
- 2 cups pretzel twists, broken in half
- 48 candy eyes
- 24 M&M's or Red Hots for the nose
Instructions
- Prepare Tray: Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set it aside for later use.
- Crush Oreos: Place all 45 Oreo cookies into a food processor or high-speed blender and pulse until they become fine crumbs.
- Mix Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese on high speed with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Mixture: Add the Oreo crumbs to the bowl with cream cheese and mix on medium speed until the mixture is well combined and uniform in texture.
- Form Balls: Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the Oreo mixture and roll each portion between your palms to form smooth balls. Place each ball onto the prepared baking tray.
- Melt Chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate wafers using a double boiler over low heat or by microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted.
- Dip Balls: Using a fork, dip each Oreo ball into the melted chocolate, lift and tap the fork on the edge to remove excess coating, then place the coated ball back on the baking tray.
- Add Antlers: Carefully insert two halves of a broken pretzel twist into the top sides of each chocolate-dipped ball about ¼ to ½ inch deep to form antlers.
- Decorate Faces: Attach one M&M or Red Hot as the nose at the front center of the ball, holding it in place for about 10 seconds until the chocolate sets slightly to prevent sliding. Then place two candy eyes just above the nose.
- Repeat: Continue dipping and decorating all remaining Oreo balls, reheating chocolate gently as needed to maintain a smooth consistency.
- Set and Serve: Allow the decorated reindeer Oreo balls to set completely at room temperature for about 15 minutes or place them in the refrigerator to harden faster. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Chill Balls: Once all balls are formed, place the tray in the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours to firm up.
Notes
- You can use any flavored Oreos for this recipe, just keep the amount around 45 cookies.
- Store leftover Oreo balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Use a hand mixer for best mixing results when combining cream cheese and Oreo crumbs.
- Reheat melted chocolate gently to avoid burning, either on low heat or in short microwave intervals.
- If candy eyes or M&Ms are unavailable, similar small candies or edible decorations can be substituted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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