Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner?
BONUS: Check out my Ultimate Truffle Guide here!
This is definitely my favorite time of the year and while we don’t get snow in Phoenix the mild weather is absolutely glorious. Still, any chance I have to make a sweet treat and avoid cranking the oven is welcomed and luckily these super simple Peppermint Oreo Truffles require no baking. Seriously anyone can make these, just get ready for a bit of a chocolate mess which happens to be the best kind of mess!
I originally posted this recipe in 2011 and decided to update the recipe and add new photos. I wanted to update because I make this recipe every Christmas season, it’s a tradition in my house because these little balls of heaven are SO good and perfectly festive. It wouldn’t be December without no bake Peppermint Oreo Truffles!
Now I mentioned this before, but Oreo cookies in baking recipes are my weakness. I prefer to make and share mostly homemade recipes with some exceptions, like using packaged cookies and crackers for pie crusts and the like.
However, I try to stay away from recipes that rely solely on a packaged product so these Peppermint Oreo Truffles are a bit of a change for me. AND there are about a million Oreo truffle recipes floating around the internet. So why share this recipe with you?
Well because it is just that good, it’s worth making some sort of exception for and because if there are any of you who haven’t tried this recipe yet, or who forgot about this recipe, I hope you’ll give it a go! You might love it as much as we do.
How to Make Christmas Oreo Truffles
Ingredients for Oreo Truffles:
- Oreo cookies
- Cream cheese
- Peppermint extract-don’t use mint extract as it will make your filling taste like toothpaste!
- Baking chocolate
- Coconut oil (or vegetable oil)
- Crushed candy canes (for sprinkling on top)
What Kind of Oreos Are Best to Use for These Balls?
Be sure to use regular Oreos and leave the cream filling. Do not use double stuf, mega stuf, or Oreo thins, otherwise there will be too much/too little filling.
What Kind of Cream Cheese Should I Use for Oreo Truffles?
Be sure to use bricks of full fat cream cheese. Not the kind you use to spread on a bagel. It should be fully softened to room temperature. Avoid using generic brands which sometimes have a high water content which can prevent the Oreo ball filling from setting up and maintaining its shape.
Don’t Have Cream Cheese?
Check out my Ultimate Truffle Guide with tons of recipe alternatives.
Why you Should Use Coconut Oil When Making These Peppermint Oreo Truffles:
Since coconut oil is solid at room temperature, it helps to create a solid chocolate coating for the truffles. Especially when you store them in the fridge. You can use refined coconut oil if you prefer not to have any coconut taste.
If you want to make truffles where the chocolate coating won’t melt at all at room temperature, you’ll need to temper the chocolate. Check out my tutorial on how to temper chocolate here. You can then store the truffles at a cool, dry room temperature for up to 8 hours before you’ll need to move them to the fridge as the filling contains cream cheese.
You could also use candy coating chocolate, but I don’t like the taste of that stuff (it’s not real chocolate).
Using a Spring-Loaded Cookie Scoop for Making Truffles
My cookie scoop is one of my most frequently used kitchen gadgets – and not just for cookies! Using a stainless steel spring-loaded cookie scoop saves you *so much time* in forming perfectly round, evenly-sized truffles.
How to Dip Truffles in Chocolate Neatly
Firstly, use baking chocolate that you chop up before melting. Most chocolate chips have stabilizers added in to help them maintain that chip shape so they don’t melt down as smoothly. This makes for messy looking truffles.
Secondly, keep the chocolate warm. You may need to reheat it if it becomes less pourable halfway through dipping your truffles. Oppositely, keep your Oreo balls cold. Make sure they’re fully chilled before dipping and if you’re making a big batch, keep them in the fridge until just before dipping in chocolate. This will help the chocolate set up more quickly.
If you want to get really fancy, you can use chocolate dipping tools to make super neat, clean, and professional looking truffles.
Do you Have to Refrigerate Oreo Truffles?
Because the filling is made from cream cheese and because the chocolate isn’t tempered, these will need to be kept refrigerated until just before serving.
How to Store + Freeze Oreo Truffles:
Oreo truffles are good for up to 2 weeks in the fridge when stored in an airtight container! Or, store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Can I Make This Recipe Without the Peppermint?
Of course! Just leave out the peppermint extract and the crushed candy canes. You could also use a different extract or a tablespoon of flavored liqueur instead. You could even experiment with Golden Oreos and a white chocolate coating as well.
If you want even MORE peppermint flavor and color, feel free to use Peppermint Oreos.
More Festive Truffle Recipes:
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39
(441 grams) regular Oreo cookies,
don't remove cream filling
-
8
ounces
(227 grams) cream cheese,
at room temperature
-
3/4
teaspoon
peppermint extract
-
16
ounces
(454 grams) semisweet chocolate,
finely chopped
-
1
tablespoon
coconut oil or vegetable oil
-
2
regular-size candy canes,
finely crushed
-
Place the Oreo cookies in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the cream cheese and peppermint extract and pulse until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
-
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a spring-loaded 1-Tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the mixture into balls.
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Place the cookie balls in the freezer until well chilled, at least 1 hour or up to 1 day.
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When cookie balls are chilled, combine the chopped chocolate and oil in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring between bursts, until just melted and smooth. Do not overheat.
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Drop each cookie ball into melted chocolate, coating evenly. Remove with a fork, gently tapping off excess chocolate. Place back on cookie sheet and immediately sprinkle with the crushed candy canes. Repeat with the remaining cookie balls. Reheat the chocolate as needed so it remains pourable.
-
Refrigerate until set before serving. Store the truffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 15 days.
While I prefer a smoother texture, you can add some crushed candy canes into the Oreo cookie mixture for more peppermint taste and crunch.
Post originally published in 2011 and updated with recipe improvements and new photos. Photos by Ashley McLaughlin.
December 2019 Baking Challenge
This recipe was the selection for December’s baking challenge! Learn more about my monthly baking challenges here. Check out the truffle entries that were submitted below:
I love these for holiday gifting! They look so impressive and are simple to make. Perfect for neighbors. And of course you can’t beat chocolate peppermint around the holidays. So delicious!
I did want to share a couple of things that might help someone considering making these. I used one package of oreos which was 405 grams (I think technically 3 cookies short of the 39 that this recipe calls for). I’m not sure if there is a bigger package available or if Oreo recently changed the size? But I thought that was odd. Anyways worked just fine!
Also I only buy 8 ounces of baking chocolate because it’s expensive and find that it’s just enough to coat all of the truffles. I only have a 1.5 tbsp scoop and using this, I got 21.
Great tips, Leanne! Glad to hear that you enjoy these truffles so much 🙂
SO great!
I found it difficult as the balls seemed to stick to the fork as I dipped them in chocolate and by the time I’m making it half way through the non coated balls are becoming too soft. I just found it messy and time consuming. Any tips greatly appreciated. I don’t have much experience with chocolate, but for me this wasn’t as simple as I’d thought it would be.
Hi Becky! It sounds like your cookie balls weren’t frozen enough before adding them to the melted chocolate. That can definitely be messy! If you notice that happening, we recommend placing the balls back in the freezer for a while. I’ve personally made the cookie balls in the evening and froze mine overnight before dipping in the chocolate the next day, and dipping was a cinch. I really hope you give this recipe another try! These are incredibly delicious, and the best part is you can prep them almost two weeks in advance!
Love this idea! Is there any way to make them stable at room temp for gifting?
Hi Rachiel! While you can use tempered chocolate (highly recommend for a gorgeous shine and snap!), which doesn’t require refrigeration to stay hard and snappy, the filling does contain cream cheese. This means you can store the truffles at a dry cool room temperature for up to 8 hours before you’ll need to move them to the fridge in an air-tight container; however, they stay delicious in the fridge for up to 2 weeks! I’d still recommend gifting them but just let the recipient know if not eaten right away to store them in the fridge. I hope that helps!
Oh my!!! These are so delicious and come together so easily. Thank you as always for another amazing recipe Tessa!
So glad you enjoyed these Oreo truffles, Carla!
They were very rich and tasted like fudge. They were easy to make and delicious!
A quick and easy recipe that is perfect for the holidays! Who doesn’t like chocolate and peppermint? I used Oreo Mint Thins to make these. It uSed one and packages. Turned out amazing!
Made this for friends a d family as Christmas presents and everyone loved them! I love the ease of making them and the light peppermint flavor
I made these for our family Christmas, everyone loved them. I don’t like peppermint so I left that out. Thanks dough for the recipe
Used Trader Joe’s candy cane Joe Joe’s, and they’re so good!!