Ingredients

6 oz. brick cream cheese, softened
30 OREO Mint Creme Cookies, finely crushed
16 oz. white candy coating wafers, melted
10 small gumdrops, each cut crosswise into 4 pieces
2 multi-colored sour belts (5 inches long), each cut into 20 (1x1/8-inch) strips
0.33 cup decorations (colored sugars, colored sprinkles and assorted small candies)

Putting it together

1.Mix cream cheese and cookie crumbs until blended; shape into 40 (1-inch) balls. Place on waxed paper-covered rimmed baking sheet. Freeze 10 min.
2.Dip cookie balls in melted candy coating, turning to evenly coat each ball with candy coating. Return to baking sheet.
3.Cut small slit in top of each gumdrop piece. Bend 1 sour belt strip in half to form loop; insert both ends of loop into top of 1 gumdrop piece, then press gumdrop into top of 1 cookie ball to secure. Repeat with remaining gumdrop pieces, sour belt strips and cookie balls.
4.Add decorations as desired to resemble holiday ornaments.
5.Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Keep refrigerated.

Tips and Tricks

Size Wise: Take the time to savor the flavor of these festive cookie balls that can be included in a balanced diet on occasion.

Variation: Prepare using assorted colors of coating wafers. Or, substitute melted white or semi-sweet baking chocolate for the melted candy coating wafers.

How to Easily Coat the Cookie Balls: To easily coat the cookie balls with the melted candy coating wafers, add balls, in batches, to bowl of melted wafers. Use 2 forks to roll balls until evenly coated. Remove balls with forks, letting excess candy coating drip back into bowl. Place balls in prepared pan; let stand until coating is firm.

Substitute: Omit sour belts. Do not cut slits in gumdrop pieces as directed. Press 1 gumdrop piece and small candy cane-shaped sprinkle or decor into top of each coated cookie ball to resemble a hook for the ornament.

Substitute: Substitute cut-up red or black string licorice for the cut-up sour belts.

Note: If coating becomes too thick to coat the cookie balls, add up to 2 tsp. shortening to the melted candy coating wafers before using to coat the cookie balls.

Nutritional Information

Makes 40 Servings