No-Bake Peppermint Bark Snowballs
These delightful No-Bake Peppermint Bark Snowballs are a perfect fuss-free festive treat, combining the classic flavors of chocolate and refreshing peppermint. Quick, easy, and requiring no oven time, they're ideal for holiday gatherings or homemade gifts.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Fork or Dipping Tool
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies Think classic Oreos, crushed fine!
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup cream cheese softened
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- 1.5 cups white chocolate chips
- 0.5 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes for that signature festive crunch and pop of vibrant red color
Instructions
- Step 1: Get Mixing: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine your crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, and peppermint extract. Mix until everything is completely smooth and thoroughly combined, ensuring there are no dry spots.
- Step 2: Roll and Chill: Scoop out the mixture, about 1-inch in size, and roll it between your palms until you have nice, round balls. Place these on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop the sheet into the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until they're firm enough to handle without losing their shape.
- Step 3: Melt that Chocolate: While your snowballs are chilling in the freezer, add white chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them in 20-second increments in the microwave, stirring well after each interval, until you have a perfectly smooth, dreamy pool of melted white chocolate.
- Step 4: Dip and Coat: Take your chilled snowballs out of the freezer. One by one, dip each snowball into the melted white chocolate, using a fork or a dipping tool to help you roll and coat it thoroughly. Let any excess chocolate drip off before returning the coated ball to your parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 5: Add the Sparkle: Before the white chocolate has a chance to set (it hardens pretty quickly!), generously sprinkle crushed peppermint candies or candy canes over each snowball.
- Step 6: Final Chill & Serve: Once all your snowballs are coated and sprinkled, pop them back into the refrigerator. Let them chill until the white chocolate coating is completely hardened, which usually takes about 20-30 minutes. Once set, they're ready to be devoured!
Notes
Ensure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free mixture that’s easy to roll. Don't skip the initial freezing step; it helps the balls hold their shape and prevents them from falling apart in the warm chocolate. When melting white chocolate, microwave in short bursts and stir well between each to prevent burning; if it gets too thick, a tiny bit of coconut oil or shortening can help loosen it up. Have your crushed peppermint ready before you start dipping, as the white chocolate hardens fast and you want to sprinkle the candy before it sets.
You can prepare the cookie balls a day or two ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the fridge, or freeze them for up to 2 weeks, before dipping and decorating. Store finished No-Bake Peppermint Bark Snowballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If stacking, place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.