Holiday "Orna-Mint" Cookie Balls
Time1h 40min
Makes40 servings
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
- ⅓ 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.
Nutrition Information
| Calories: | 140 |
| Total fat: | 7g |
| Saturated fat: | 5g |
| Trans fat: | 0g |
| Cholesterol: | 5mg |
| Sodium: | 75mg |
| Total Carbohydrate: | 19g |
| Dietary fiber: | 0g |
| Total sugars: | 15g |
| Protein: | 1g |
| Calcium: | 0% DV |
| Iron: | 2% DV |