Grinch Oreo Holiday Treat

This festive Grinch Oreo Holiday Treat brings a playful twist to your holiday dessert table. Featuring Red Velvet Oreos mixed with creamy cheese and coated in vibrant green candy melts, these bite-sized delights are as charming as they are delicious. They make a perfect sweet to share during holiday gatherings or to gift to friends and family.

I first made these for a holiday party, and they disappeared so fast everyone asked for the recipe. They bring so much joy with their playful look and rich flavors.

Ingredients

• Red Velvet Oreo cookies: This adds a fun holiday color and a moist texture from the cake-like cookies. Look for a fresh package for best flavor
• Cream cheese, softened: The creamy base binds the Oreo crumbs into a smooth, rich dough. Room temperature is key for easy mixing
• Light green candy melts: These provide the signature Grinch green coating and harden to a smooth finish. Choose good quality melts for shine and flavor
• Red candy hearts: These little accents add a pop of color and complete the Grinch theme. Pick fresh ones that are not sticky or stale

Step-by-Step Instructions

Scoop and prepare your workspace:

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to keep everything tidy. Gather your food processor or blender, electric mixer, and a 3.8 centimeter cookie scoop or spoon for uniform portions. Having everything ready will speed up the process.

Crush the Oreos finely:

Place the Red Velvet Oreos in your food processor or blender and pulse repeatedly until the crumbs are fine and uniform with no large chunks left. This ensures a smooth dough and better texture for the treats.

Mix cream cheese and crumbs:

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese using your electric mixer until it is silky and smooth. Gradually add the crushed Oreos, blending well after each addition until you have a moist dough that holds together when pressed. Adjust with a bit more crumbs or cream cheese if the mixture is too wet or dry.

Shape and chill the balls:

Use your cookie scoop or a spoon to form 3.8 centimeter sized portions. Roll each into a perfect ball by smoothing the edges with your fingers. Place them on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to help them firm up, which makes dipping easier. Alternatively, freezing for 30 minutes works but avoid freezing solid to prevent cracking.

Melt the green candy coating:

Using a double boiler set on low heat, melt the green candy melts slowly, stirring constantly until completely smooth. Or microwave on defrost power in 30 second bursts, stirring between each session to stop overheating and clumping.

Dip and decorate:

Hold each chilled ball with a fork or toothpick and submerge it into the green candy coating. Gently tap off the excess and place back on parchment. If the candy hardens too quickly, warm it gently again. While the coating is still wet, add a red candy heart for the finishing touch.

Set and store:

Place the dipped treats in the fridge until the candy coating is fully firm and set. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Serve on a festive tray and watch the smiles around you grow.

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My favorite ingredient has to be the red candy hearts because they bring the whole Grinch theme to life so perfectly. Years ago, making these with my kids became a fun holiday tradition as we all decorated and snacked on the treats during our Christmas movie marathons.

Storage Tips

Keep these treats refrigerated in an airtight container to maintain freshness and preserve the candy coating’s texture. If stored properly they can last up to a week. Avoid freezing dipped treats because the candy coating may crack or become grainy when thawed.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you cannot find Red Velvet Oreos use regular chocolate Oreos and add a drop of red food coloring to the dough for color. Cream cheese can be substituted with mascarpone for a milder flavor or a dairy-free cream cheese alternative if needed. Any green candy coating or melts suitable for dipping will work but try to use good quality ones for best texture.

Serving Suggestions

Arrange these on a holiday platter alongside other festive treats like peppermint bark or sugar cookies. They pair beautifully with a warm cup of cocoa or a rich eggnog. These treats also make sweet edible gifts when wrapped individually in clear bags and tied with ribbon.

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Cultural Context

Red Velvet cake itself is a Southern United States classic, often associated with celebrations and holidays. Combining it with Oreos and festive colors creates a playful modern take on festive confections. The Grinch theme leans into beloved holiday pop culture, making these treats a fun way to spread cheer.

Recipe FAQs

→ What is the best way to crush the Oreos?

Using a food processor or blender to pulse the Oreos until finely crushed ensures a smooth texture without large pieces.

→ How do I get the candy melts smooth and ready for dipping?

Melting candy melts over a double boiler while stirring constantly or microwaving on defrost power in intervals prevents overheating and ensures smoothness.

→ Can the treats be frozen instead of refrigerated during preparation?

Freezing for 30 minutes firms them up quickly but avoid full freezing to prevent cracking when dipping in candy melts.

→ How should the cream cheese be prepared before mixing?

Softening the cream cheese prior to mixing helps achieve a smooth, uniform blend with the crushed Oreos.

→ What is a good serving suggestion for these treats?

Arrange the finished treats on a festive tray and keep them refrigerated until serving for the best presentation and freshness.