I still remember the first time I whipped up my Merry Grinch-Mas treats—my whole kitchen smelled like sweet vanilla, peppermint, and warm candy melts, and I knew I had stumbled upon something special. I’d been craving a festive dessert that felt playful but still tasted irresistible, and these little green bites of joy delivered exactly that. As I rolled each one by hand, I felt that spark of holiday magic settle in, and by the time they were chilled and topped with tiny red hearts, I was completely smitten.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this Merry Grinch-Mas recipe because it’s the perfect mix of festive fun and reliable deliciousness, and I’m telling you that from someone who has made it again and again for parties, cookie trays, and even late-night snacking when no one was watching.
Ingredients
For the Grinch Oreo Truffles
- 14.3 oz golden Oreos
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup Christmas nonpareils
- 1 lb light green candy melts
- Red heart sprinkles
For the Grinch Cream Cheese Mints
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 5 drops neon green food coloring
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- Red heart sprinkles
Before you start mixing, let me say this: don’t skimp on the quality of the candy melts or peppermint extract. I’ve tried generic brands that seized or tasted flat, and trust me, the good stuff really does make a difference. If you don’t have neon green food coloring, a blend of regular green with the tiniest touch of yellow works surprisingly well. And while golden Oreos are my favorite for this recipe because they keep the flavor light and smooth, you can use regular Oreos—just expect a slightly richer, chocolatier base.
Equipment Needed
- Food processor or blender
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Small cookie scoop
- Fork or dipping tool
You don’t need anything fancy to make this recipe, which is one of the reasons I keep coming back to it, especially during the busy holiday season when my counters are cluttered with wrapping supplies and gift bags. A food processor makes crushing the cookies effortless, but if you don’t have one, a sturdy zip-top bag and a rolling pin get the job done. A small cookie scoop keeps everything even, but you can absolutely eyeball it—I’ve done that more times than I’d like to admit, especially on days when I’m hurrying to get dessert on the table.
Step-by-Step Instructions
When I start with the Oreo truffles, I always toss the cookies straight into the food processor and pulse until they’re fine crumbs. I mix those crumbs with softened cream cheese until it forms a smooth dough. This step always feels a little messy, especially if the cream cheese isn’t perfectly room temperature, so learn from me: give it at least 30 minutes out on the counter. Once everything is combined, I fold in the Christmas nonpareils. They add the cutest crunch and look like tiny ornaments hidden inside.(See the next page below to continue…)