That is right everyone, on Saturday night I won my friend Tara’s annual cookie swap with my Peppermint Oreo Cookie Balls. This was the third annual Tacky Christmas Cookie Swap and as the Facebook invite said, “It is back and better than ever! You know the drill – sport the latest (or earliest?) holiday fashion and bring your favorite treats to share. Prizes will be awarded for Tackiest Sweater, Tastiest Cookie, Best in Show, and Best Store-Bought Cookie.Party starts at 8, medals ceremony at 9:30 (you may win a reindeer loofah).”
I did not go to this party the first year and last year it was the same night as my holiday party where I made eggnog from scratch. I felt guilty last year leaving with a box of delicious cookies when I did not make any so this year I was dead set on making a great batch of cookies. And as you can see I decided not to wear a tacky Christmas sweater – but I did have on red tights!
Originally I was going to make these green Coconut Christmas Wreaths that I found on Pinterest but after reading all of the reviews, many people did not have success I cautiously proceeded but also planned to make these Oreo balls as my back up. The wreaths took an incredible time to make and if you saw my Instagram photo from Saturday afternoon the green cookies were an epic fail. Therefore, my plan B turned into plan A.
Let me tell you, with only FIVE ingredients even those who burn toast can make these Peppermint Oreo Balls:
- 1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 pkg (15.25 oz) OREO Cookies, finely crushed
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- 1 pkg (4.25 oz) Semi-sweet baking morsels
- 1/2 bag starlight mints or a few candy canes, finely crushed
Directions:
- Mix cream cheese, crushed Oreos, and peppermint extract until very well blended. You are supposed to use a food processor to crush the Oreos but since I don’t have one I used plastic bags and my hands.
- Use a cookie scooper to scoop out balls and round them with your hands. I don’t have a cookie scoop either so I used my hands.
- Place in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Place cookie sheet in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, which allows them to firm up and make the coating process much easier.
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until completely melted.
- Working quickly, coat cookie balls with chocolate. Use two forks to help ensure that they get coated well.
- Place coated balls back on the parchment paper and sprinkle with crushed starlight mints/candy canes.
- Return Oreo cookie balls to the refrigerator for 10 minutes to allow the chocolate to completely firm up. I threw them back in the freezer until it was time to go.
I do not have any photos of the chocolate coating process because, as the instructions advise, you really do need to move quickly! They were absolutely, delicious, obviously well received at the party – I suggest everyone makes them. My recipe is adapted from the one I found here.
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kelsey bang says
cookie swap?! that sounds like my kind of party! so fun!
kelseybang.com
kelsey bang says
cookie swap?! that sounds like my kind of party! so fun!
kelseybang.com
Chelsea says
These look life changing.
Chelsea says
These look life changing.
Janna says
A. You and your dress are fierce.
B. Your balls look amaze-BALLS.
C. I heart that you drink Fireball!
natalie says
a cookie swap sounds so awesome!
great pics 😀
x
http://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au
Janna says
A. You and your dress are fierce.
B. Your balls look amaze-BALLS.
C. I heart that you drink Fireball!
natalie says
a cookie swap sounds so awesome!
great pics 😀
x
http://anoddgirl.blogspot.com.au
Rachel says
I do this with my college friends every year, too!
Laiza Rentería says
Nice party!
xx
L.
http://www.lalouuula.com
Rachel says
I do this with my college friends every year, too!
Laiza Rentería says
Nice party!
xx
L.
http://www.lalouuula.com
Vanessa says
KELLY! Those cookies look like heaven!!!
Vanessa
Vanessa • With Great Heart Cre says
KELLY! Those cookies look like heaven!!!
Vanessa
Helene says
Im going to a cookie swap and i might need to grab this recipe!! looks sooooo good!
mariafelicia says
hi,you’re beautiful and these pics so funny…a great night i think…your cookies looks so delicious
kisses
Helene says
Im going to a cookie swap and i might need to grab this recipe!! looks sooooo good!
mariafelicia says
hi,you’re beautiful and these pics so funny…a great night i think…your cookies looks so delicious
kisses
Sharon says
Mmm those look delicious! I’m going to pin the recipe 🙂 Congrats on winning!
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Kelly Ann says
My friends came up with a great idea for the guys – the “store bought” cookie category!
KateAdam Florken says
A cookie swap party sounds like soooo much fun! I can even see doing this with family…and making the guys participate as well! Wouldn’t that be a blast? How have I never heard of this before? Thanks for the idea!
-Kate
http://www.theflorkens.com
Always Maylee says
Omg those cookies look amazing! I want some right now. Yay for your win!
xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
Amy Breckenridge says
i have made these before without the peppermint and they are so addicting! adding the candy canes to them makes them so perfect for christmas!! congrats on winning!
Sharon says
Mmm those look delicious! I’m going to pin the recipe 🙂 Congrats on winning!
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
KateAdam Florken says
A cookie swap party sounds like soooo much fun! I can even see doing this with family…and making the guys participate as well! Wouldn’t that be a blast? How have I never heard of this before? Thanks for the idea!
-Kate
http://www.theflorkens.com
Kelly says
My friends came up with a great idea for the guys – the “store bought” cookie category!
Always Maylee says
Omg those cookies look amazing! I want some right now. Yay for your win!
xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
Amy Breckenridge says
i have made these before without the peppermint and they are so addicting! adding the candy canes to them makes them so perfect for christmas!! congrats on winning!
Alyssa says
What a fun idea! It sounds like your cookie fail made way for something even more delicious–because how can you beat oreos, really? Congrats on your win! 🙂