If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, then you’re going to fall head over heels for this Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe. These little cake balls are bursting with red velvet flavor, coated in green-tinted white chocolate, and finished off with adorable red heart sprinkles that totally channel that mischievous Grinch vibe. I absolutely love how this turns out every holiday season, and I promise once you try it, your family and friends will be begging for more!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Baking Required: You can whip these up without ever firing up the oven, making them perfect for busy holidays.
- Delicious Flavor Combo: The red velvet cookies mixed with cream cheese create the most irresistible, tangy-sweet base.
- Festive and Fun: The green white chocolate coating and red heart sprinkles make these a total eye-catcher at any Christmas party.
- Kid-Friendly Activity: Rolling balls and dipping them in chocolate is a blast for the whole family to do together.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe relies on a handful of simple ingredients that come together magically. I always recommend using high-quality white chocolate chips because they melt smoothly and taste heavenly once tinted green.
- Chewy Red Velvet Cookies: These give the base a rich, cake-like flavor and soft texture that blends perfectly with cream cheese.
- Cream Cheese: Softened to room temperature, it adds creaminess and helps bind the cookie crumbs into a dough.
- White Chocolate Chips: You’ll need these for coating and drizzling; they take the festive green color brilliantly.
- Green Food Coloring Gel: Gel coloring works best to get a vibrant shade without messing with the chocolate’s consistency.
- Red Heart Sprinkles: These little touches of red pop beautifully against the green chocolate and add a whimsical Grinch flair.
Variations
I love making this recipe my own depending on the occasion and what my pantry has handy. Feel free to get creative here; this base is super flexible!
- Matcha Twist: Swap the green food coloring for matcha powder melted into the white chocolate for a natural, slightly earthy green finish — my kids actually enjoy this twist too!
- Different Cookie Bases: If you can’t find red velvet cookies, chocolate or vanilla ones work great as well for a different flavor profile.
- Nutty Add-in: Mix in finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for an added crunch that will surprise your guests.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use dairy-free cream cheese and vegan white chocolate chips to make these suitable for dairy-free friends and family.
How to Make Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe
Step 1: Crush Those Cookies Into Fine Crumbs
First things first, you’ll want to get those red velvet cookies into crumbs. I use my food processor for this because it gives a fine, even texture without turning the cookies into powder. Just pulse until there are no large pieces left — this helps the dough come together smoothly without lumps.
Step 2: Mix Cream Cheese and Crumbs
With your mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high until it’s completely smooth — no lumps at all. Then, add your cookie crumbs and keep beating until everything looks like a thick, uniform dough. This part is key because the cream cheese softens the crumbs and gives those cookie balls a rich, creamy bite.
Step 3: Roll Into Perfectly Sized Balls
Using a tablespoon measure, scoop out dough and roll it into 1 ½ inch balls. Don’t be shy here — I like making mine a little bigger for a more decadent bite, but smaller ones work if you want snack-size treats. Arrange them on a parchment-lined rack and pop them in the fridge for at least two hours to firm up so they hold their shape when dipped.
Step 4: Melt and Tint the White Chocolate
Set up a double boiler by placing a medium heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water — just enough so the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Melt two packages of white chocolate chips there, stirring gently until smooth. Then, add your green food coloring gel a drop at a time, stirring until you hit that perfect Grinch-green shade. Be careful not to add too much liquid-based color or your chocolate might seize.
Step 5: Dip the Balls in the Green Chocolate
Using a fork makes dipping easier — scoop a ball, dip it until fully covered, and let the excess drip off before placing it back on the rack. If you want a thicker coating, I recommend a second dip after the first layer sets in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This coating turns out shiny and festive, just like the Grinch’s green fur!
Step 6: Add the Finishing Touches
Clean your bowl and melt the remaining white chocolate just like before, tint it again with green food coloring, and thin it with small amounts of hot water if needed to get the right drizzling consistency. Drizzle the chocolate over your cookie balls in fun stripes, then quickly top each one with a red heart sprinkle before the drizzle sets. This final detail is what makes these cookie balls truly festive and impossible not to smile at.
Pro Tips for Making Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Always make sure your cream cheese is soft and smooth before mixing; cold cream cheese makes lumps that are hard to blend.
- Chill Twice for Best Results: I chill the balls before dipping, then chill coated balls again; this helps chocolate set quickly and stay tidy.
- Use Gel Food Coloring: It won’t thin your chocolate, so it keeps that perfect silky texture better than liquid color.
- Avoid Overheating Chocolate: Melt gently over simmering water and stir often — burnt chocolate ruins top-notch flavor.
How to Serve Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these with bright red heart sprinkles because they provide a cheerful contrast and add a little crunch. If you want to mix it up, tiny red sugar pearls or edible glitter would look just as magical — plus kids are amazed by the sparkle!
Side Dishes
These cookie balls are sweet enough on their own, so I like to keep side dishes simple — a warm cup of peppermint hot chocolate or a classic eggnog pairs perfectly for that ultimate Christmas vibe. If you’re serving a bigger spread, light finger sandwiches or fresh fruit skewers are lovely companions that balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
One holiday, I arranged these Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls recipe bites in a funky tree shape on a platter, adding mini candy canes as ornaments. Wrapping them individually in colored cellophane with a festive ribbon also makes a delightful edible gift that everyone raves about. Presentation really amps up the fun!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookie balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and prevent the chocolate from melting. They keep beautifully for up to a week—perfect if you want to make them early and enjoy them throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to freeze these, I wrap each ball individually in plastic wrap and then place them in an airtight container or zip-top bag. They freeze well for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, just thaw overnight in the fridge to avoid condensation messing with the chocolate coating.
Reheating
No need to heat these up—cookie balls are best served chilled or at room temperature. If you want softer texture, take them out 15 minutes before serving so the cream cheese can soften slightly, giving that melt-in-your-mouth feel but still keeping the chocolate coating firm.
FAQs
-
Can I use a different cookie besides Chips Ahoy Red Velvet for this recipe?
Absolutely! While the red velvet flavor really makes these special, you can swap in other chewy cookies like chocolate chip, oatmeal, or even peanut butter to change up the flavor. Just make sure they’re chewy rather than crispy for the best dough texture.
-
Why is gel food coloring recommended for tinting the white chocolate?
Gel food coloring gives a bright, vibrant color without thinning or seizing the white chocolate. Liquid colors can add moisture that causes white chocolate to become grainy or stiff, so gel is the safest bet for smooth, glossy coating.
-
How do I prevent the white chocolate from cracking once set?
Properly tempering white chocolate can be tricky, but gently melting over simmering water and not overheating helps. Also, avoid quick temperature changes—store the coated balls in the fridge and serve them cold or at room temp to reduce cracking.
-
Is it okay if I can’t chill the balls for two hours before dipping?
Chilling helps the balls firm up and keeps the shape during dipping, but if you’re short on time, 30-45 minutes in the fridge can work. Just handle the balls gently to avoid them falling apart during coating.
Final Thoughts
This Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe has become one of my holiday staples because it’s effortless, fun, and guaranteed to bring smiles around the table. I used to struggle with complicated festive desserts, but these cookie balls are the perfect sweet fix that anyone can make—and trust me, once you try them, they’ll become your go-to Christmas treat too. So go ahead, get those hands messy, and make your holidays a little greener and a lot sweeter!
Print
Grinchy Christmas Cookie Balls Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 36 cake bites
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Grinchy Christmas Cake Bites combine chewy red velvet cookie crumbs and cream cheese, coated in vibrant green white chocolate and decorated with red heart sprinkles for a delightful holiday treat. Easy to make and perfect for parties, these bite-sized desserts bring a playful twist to Christmas celebrations.
Ingredients
For the Cake Bites
- 3 (9.6-oz.) packages Chips Ahoy Chewy Red Velvet cookies
- 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, room temperature
For the Coating
- 3 (12-oz.) packages white chocolate chips, divided
- Green food coloring gel
For Decoration
- Red heart sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare Cookie Crumbs: Place a wire rack in a parchment-lined baking sheet. In a food processor, pulse red velvet cookies until fine crumbs form, making the base for your cake bites.
- Mix Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth. Add in cookie crumbs and continue beating until well combined and dough-like in texture.
- Shape Cake Bites: Using a 1-Tbsp. measuring spoon, scoop the dough and roll into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Arrange the balls on the prepared wire rack and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
- Melt White Chocolate Coating: Set a medium heatproof bowl over a pot of barely simmering water (double boiler), ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Reserve one package of white chocolate chips. Place the remaining two packages of chips in the bowl and stir until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Color the Chocolate: Stir in 1 drop of green food coloring gel, adding more gradually until the desired Grinchy green shade is achieved.
- Dip Cake Bites: Using a fork, dip each chilled cake ball into the green chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Place back on the wire rack. Apply a second coating if a thicker layer is desired. Refrigerate the coated bites until set, about 30 minutes. Clean the bowl but keep the double boiler setup ready.
- Melt Drizzle Chocolate: In the double boiler, melt the reserved package of white chocolate chips, stirring until smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Color and Thin Drizzle: Add 1 drop green food coloring gel, stirring to combine. If needed, add hot water in 1 Tbsp. increments, stirring vigorously after each addition to reach a drizzling consistency. Transfer the chocolate to a plastic or piping bag and snip off the tip.
- Decorate and Serve: Drizzle the green chocolate over the coated cake bites to create stripes. Before the drizzle sets, top each bite with a red heart sprinkle for festive decoration. Let set before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature to ensure a smooth mixture.
- Use a wire rack over parchment to allow excess chocolate to drip off for a neat coating.
- Adding hot water carefully thins the drizzle chocolate without compromising its texture.
- Store cake bites refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Adjust food coloring gradually to achieve the perfect green without altering the chocolate flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake bite
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
