If you’re on the hunt for a festive sweet that’s both fun and downright delicious, you’ve got to try this Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe. I absolutely love how these little bites turn out — they’re rich, creamy, and have that perfect pop of holiday green that everyone adores. Trust me, these cookie balls make the perfect treat for Christmas parties or cozy nights by the fire. So grab your apron and let’s dive into the magic!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Baking Required: You can whip these up quickly without turning on the oven, which is a lifesaver during busy holiday seasons.
- Classic Flavors with a Twist: The red velvet cookie base paired with cream cheese creates an irresistibly rich center, all covered in creamy green chocolate.
- Festive and Fun Presentation: The bright green coating with red heart sprinkles instantly adds whimsy to your holiday dessert table.
- Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Pleaser: Both kids and adults go crazy for these, making them a guaranteed hit for gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe plays a star role. The chewy red velvet cookies give you that mouthwatering cocoa flavor, while the cream cheese adds a smooth, creamy texture. And of course, the white chocolate and green food coloring bring the whole Grinch magic to life!
- Chips Ahoy Chewy Red Velvet Cookies: These provide a soft, sweet crumble that’s perfect for the base.
- Cream Cheese: Room temperature is key here to gently blend with crumbs without lumps.
- White Chocolate Chips: You’ll use these for coating and drizzling, so choose good quality for a smooth finish.
- Green Food Coloring Gel: A little goes a long way — gel colors give you vibrant green without watering down the chocolate.
- Red Heart Sprinkles: These adorable touches make the cookie balls pop with festive charm.
Variations
I love playing around with this recipe depending on the occasion. It’s flexible enough to make your own, whether you want it dairy-free or add a little extra holiday flair. Feel free to get creative and make this Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe truly yours!
- Swap Cookies: I once tried swapping red velvet for mint chocolate chip cookies to add a fresh twist — it was a hit, especially for mint lovers!
- Dairy-Free Version: Using dairy-free cream cheese and white chocolate chips works beautifully, so no one misses out.
- Festive Sprinkles: Try using seasonal sprinkles like silver snowflakes or edible glitter for different occasions.
- Double Chocolate: Mix some cocoa powder into the cookie crumbs before combining for a richer, chocolatey center.
How to Make Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe
Step 1: Turn Cookies Into Fine Crumbs
Start by placing a wire rack on a parchment-lined baking sheet — this setup makes coating easier and less messy. Then pop your chewy red velvet cookies into a food processor. Pulse until you get fine crumbs, but don’t overdo it or it’ll turn into powder. This crumb texture is what makes the cookie balls hold perfectly.
Step 2: Mix Cream Cheese and Cookie Crumbs
In your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat your softened cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy — no lumps here! Add the cookie crumbs, then beat again until it’s all evenly combined. The mixture will feel soft but moldable, just right for rolling balls.
Step 3: Shape and Chill the Cookie Balls
Use a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon to scoop out dough. Roll the scoops into balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter — I find this size is perfect for bite-sized indulgence. Arrange them on the wire rack and pop them in the fridge for about 2 hours until firm. This chilling step is crucial for keeping them together during chocolate dipping.
Step 4: Melt White Chocolate with Green Food Coloring
Set up a double boiler: place a medium heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, making sure the bowl bottom doesn’t touch the water. Melt two of the three white chocolate chip packages, stirring until smooth — this usually takes about 2 minutes. Add a drop of green gel food coloring, stir, and add more until you get that vibrant Grinch green you want.
Step 5: Dip and Coat the Cookie Balls
Using a fork, dip each chilled ball into the green chocolate, letting the excess drip off before placing back on the rack. Depending on how thick you want the coating, you can dip twice—just let the first coat set before the second dip. Refrigerate again for at least 30 minutes to let the coating harden.
Step 6: Drizzle and Decorate with Red Sprinkles
Clean your double boiler bowl and melt the remaining white chocolate chips with a drop of green food coloring again, adding hot water a tablespoon at a time if needed to get a smooth drizzle consistency. Transfer to a piping bag, snip the tip, and drizzle over your green-coated balls. While the drizzle is still wet, pop on a red heart sprinkle to give that adorable Grinchy contrast.
Pro Tips for Making Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe
- Perfect Cookie Crumbs: I learned that pulsing just until crumbs form, not powder, helps the texture in the bite.
- Soft Cream Cheese: Bring your cream cheese to room temp before mixing, it blends so much easier and smoother.
- Double Dip for Extra Coating: If you want thicker green coating, chill the first dip before dipping again to avoid smudging.
- Cleaning Between Steps: Wiping out your melting bowl before the drizzle keeps the green drizzle vibrant and smooth.
How to Serve Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe
Garnishes
I always stick with red heart sprinkles because they bring that classic Grinchy holiday vibe and a sweet little crunch. Sometimes I toss on mini edible glitter stars for sparkle if I’m feeling fancy, but those hearts are my go-to every year!
Side Dishes
These cookie balls pair beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa loaded with marshmallows or a cozy mug of peppermint tea. If you’re hosting a holiday party, adding a cheese and fruit platter alongside makes for a perfect sweet-and-savory combo.
Creative Ways to Present
I love arranging these festive cookie balls on a white plate with fresh pine sprigs and candy canes scattered around for that extra Christmas feel. Another favorite is stacking them in a clear glass jar tied with a red satin ribbon — they make the cutest edible gifts too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once these are chilled and coated, I store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep beautifully for up to a week, which is perfect if you want to make them ahead for a party without rushing last minute.
Freezing
I’ve frozen leftover balls before, and they thaw perfectly without losing texture. Just place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
Since these are best served cold, there’s no need to reheat. But if the chocolate coating softens, just pop them back in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to firm up before serving again.
FAQs
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Can I use regular chocolate chip cookies instead of red velvet cookies?
Absolutely! While the red velvet cookies give a special holiday color and flavor, any chewy cookie will work fine. Just keep in mind it might change the flavor and color of your balls, but they’ll still taste delicious.
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What if I don’t have a food processor?
No worries! You can place the cookies in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until fine crumbs form. It takes a bit more elbow grease, but works great.
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How do I prevent the green chocolate coating from getting streaky?
Using gel food coloring helps keep the coating bright without thinning out the chocolate. Also, make sure your melted chocolate isn’t too hot or watery, and apply multiple thinner coats rather than one thick one.
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Can I make these ahead of time for a party?
Yes! These cookie balls hold up well refrigerated for a few days, so you can make them a day or two in advance. Just keep them covered tightly to maintain freshness and prevent any fridge smells.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe is one of my absolute favorite holiday treats to make and share. It’s fun, festive, and ridiculously delicious without being fussy. The best part is seeing everyone’s face light up when they realize the green exterior hides a soft, creamy red velvet surprise inside. If you want an easy crowd-pleaser that brings a little extra joy to your Christmas spread, this recipe is the one to try!
Print
Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 3 hrs
- Yield: 36 cake bites
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Grinchy Christmas Cake Bites are a delightful holiday treat featuring chewy red velvet cookie crumbs blended with creamy cream cheese, then coated in vibrant green white chocolate and decorated with charming red heart sprinkles. Perfect for holiday parties or gifting, these bite-sized desserts combine rich flavor with eye-catching color.
Ingredients
Base
- 3 (9.6-oz.) packages Chips Ahoy Chewy Red Velvet cookies
- 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, room temperature
Chocolate Coating
- 3 (12-oz.) packages white chocolate chips, divided
- Green food coloring gel
Decoration
- Red heart sprinkles, for decorating
Instructions
- Prepare the crumbs: Place a wire rack on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a food processor to pulse the red velvet cookies until they form fine crumbs.
- Mix the base: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth. Add the cookie crumbs and continue beating until fully combined.
- Form the cake balls: Using a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop out portions of dough and roll them into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place the balls evenly on the prepared wire rack and refrigerate for about 2 hours until firm and cold.
- Melt the first batch of chocolate: Set a medium heatproof bowl over a pot of barely simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Reserve one package of white chocolate chips. Place the remaining two packages in the bowl and stir constantly until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Color the coating: Add 1 drop of green food coloring gel to the melted white chocolate and stir well. Add more drops if needed until you achieve the desired green shade.
- Dip the cake balls: Using a fork, dip each chilled cake ball into the green chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Return dipped balls to the wire rack. For a thicker coating, dip a second time if desired. Refrigerate the coated balls for 30 minutes until the chocolate is set. Wipe out the melting bowl and keep the double boiler setup ready.
- Melt the second batch of chocolate: Returning to the double boiler setup, melt the reserved package of white chocolate chips by stirring until smooth and melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Color and drizzle: Add 1 drop of green food coloring to this melted chocolate and stir to color. If needed, add hot water from the pot, one tablespoon at a time, stirring vigorously until the chocolate reaches a thin, drizzling consistency. Transfer this chocolate to a piping bag or plastic bag and snip off the end. Drizzle the chocolate over the cake balls to create stripes. Before the drizzle sets, top each cake bite with a red heart sprinkle for a festive finish.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to ensure smooth mixing.
- Chilling the cake balls before dipping helps them hold their shape and creates a smoother coating.
- Use gel-based food coloring for more vivid and vibrant colors without thinning the chocolate.
- If the chocolate thickens while working, gently rewarm it over the double boiler to maintain a smooth texture.
- Store finished cake bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake bite
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
