Name: Candy Cane Oreo Balls Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 package Oreos (14.3 oz); 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, room temperature; 1 bag red candy melts; Vegetable shortening or oil (for thinning candy melts, as needed); White sanding sugar; Candy cane cutter cookie; 1 cup (113g) powdered sugar; ½ Tbsp meringue powder; 1 ½ Tbsp water (plus more as needed)

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 115 reviews

If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and utterly delicious treat to wow your friends and family this holiday season, you absolutely have to try this Candy Cane Oreo Balls Recipe. I love how these little gems pack the perfect combo of creamy, chocolaty, and pepperminty flavors—plus, they’re surprisingly easy to make. Stick with me, and I’ll share all the tips I learned to help you nail these at home.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to Make: No fancy baking skills required, just simple mixing and dipping.
Beautiful Presentation: Those white royal icing stripes and sanding sugar give a perfect festive look.
Crowd-Pleaser: The chocolate and peppermint combo gets rave reviews every time.
Make Ahead Friendly: Store them in the fridge or freezer, so you’re ready for holiday guests anytime.

Candy Cane Oreo Balls Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Candy Cane Oreo Balls Recipe works together to create that smooth, creamy texture with just the right pop of peppermint flavor. Plus, most are staples you might already have in your pantry or can easily find during the holidays.

Candy Cane Oreo Balls Recipe - Ingredients

Oreos: These give the base flavor and the crunch that’ll melt into that creamy center.
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese binds the crumbs into a yummy dough—make sure it’s room temperature for easy mixing.
Red Candy Melts: They provide the smooth, glossy coating and festive color—adding a touch of oil or shortening makes melting easier.
Vegetable Oil or Shortening: Helps thin out the candy melts for smooth dipping without cracking.
White Sanding Sugar: Sprinkled over the royal icing for sparkle and texture.
Candy Cane Cookie Cutter: To shape those Oreo balls into adorable candy cane shapes—totally optional but so worth the cute factor.
Powdered Sugar: For the royal icing, gives sweetness and structure.
Meringue Powder: Essential for royal icing’s perfect hard-dry finish.
Water: To thin the royal icing to just the right consistency for piping.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’ve had fun experimenting with this Candy Cane Oreo Balls Recipe — I encourage you to make it your own! Sometimes I swap out the red candy melts for white or even mint green ones to match different holiday vibes.

Chocolate Lovers: Try dipping in dark chocolate for a richer flavor—I discovered this twist makes the peppermint pop even more!
Nutty Version: Add a sprinkle of crushed peppermint or chopped nuts mixed into the Oreo-cream cheese dough for some crunch.
Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free Oreo-style cookies, and you’re good to go without compromising taste.
No Royal Icing: If you want a simpler decoration, just skip the icing and sprinkle crushed mini candy canes on the wet candy melts before they set.

How to Make Candy Cane Oreo Balls Recipe

Step 1: Crush the Oreos to Fine Crumbs

Grab the whole package of Oreos and dump them in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you get fine, uniform crumbs—no big chunks. This matters because you want your Oreo balls to have a smooth texture that holds together nicely. I learned the hard way that big pieces make rolling and shaping a struggle.

Step 2: Mix in the Cream Cheese

Transfer the Oreo crumbs to a mixing bowl, then add your softened cream cheese. Using an electric mixer, blend until it’s fully combined and the mixture sticks together like dough. This is the magic step that makes these balls creamy and not crumbly—if your cream cheese is too cold, mixing will be tougher, so I always plan ahead to let it soften on the counter.

Step 3: Shape with a Candy Cane Cutter and Freeze

Press the Oreo-cream cheese mixture evenly onto a small baking sheet—I used my quarter sheet pan, which is perfect for this size batch. Freeze for 15 minutes to firm up. Then, use your candy cane cookie cutter to gently press shapes out of the chilled mixture. Wiggle the cutter a bit to make sure it releases cleanly, and pop the cut pieces onto another baking sheet. Freeze again for 10 minutes to help them keep their shape during dipping.

Step 4: Melt Candy Melts and Dip

Melt your red candy melts slowly over low heat, stirring frequently. If you find the melted chocolate is too thick, stir in a tablespoon of vegetable shortening or oil. This little trick helps you get a smooth, even coating without clumps or cracking. Don’t rush this step—it’s tempting, but slow and steady melting prevents burnt candy. Then, remove just a few frozen candy canes at a time and dip them into the melted candy, coating completely. Use a fork to lift them out and tap off any drips, then transfer to a lined baking sheet.

Step 5: Chill and Decorate with Royal Icing

Pop the dipped candy canes into the fridge until the coating is firm—this usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, mix up your royal icing by beating powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until nice and smooth. Adjust the water a teaspoon at a time until it’s perfect for piping thin stripes. Use a small squeeze bottle to drizzle white stripes over your candy canes, then immediately sprinkle on some white sanding sugar for that festive sparkle. Let the icing set at room temp or chill in the fridge before gently tapping off excess sprinkles.

Step 6: Serve and Store

Arrange your Candy Cane Oreo Balls on a platter and get ready for compliments! These treats hold up best in the fridge, so keep them chilled until serving. Trust me, they’ll disappear fast, so you might want to make an extra batch!

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Pro Tips for Making Candy Cane Oreo Balls Recipe

Soft Cream Cheese Is Key: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps and tough mixing.
Freeze in Batches: I always freeze my shaped candy canes in smaller batches for easier dipping and to avoid melting them prematurely.
Thin Your Candy Melts: Adding a bit of vegetable oil or shortening makes the candy melts smoother and less likely to crack once set.
Don’t Skip the Royal Icing Stripes: That little decorative touch turns these from simple treats into festive show-stoppers.

How to Serve Candy Cane Oreo Balls Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling white sanding sugar on top of the royal icing stripes—it adds sparkle, a little crunch, and looks just like frosted candy canes. Sometimes I add tiny edible silver balls for an extra festive twinkle. These details make a big impression, especially if you’re gifting them!

Side Dishes

These Oreo balls are perfect alongside a warm cup of peppermint hot chocolate, or a simple mug of coffee or tea to balance the sweetness. For a holiday party, I like pairing them with a cheese platter or fresh fruit to add some brightness and texture contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these candy cane treats standing upright in a festive mason jar sprinkled with crushed candy canes at the bottom. It makes a delightful centerpiece! You can also pack them in clear cellophane bags tied with red and white ribbon for charming edible gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When storing your Candy Cane Oreo Balls, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay fresh and firm for about a week. I usually stack them in a single layer separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking or damage.

Freezing

Freezing is a lifesaver! I freeze leftover candy cane Oreo balls on a baking sheet first until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep perfectly frozen for 2-3 months and thaw quickly in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy.

Reheating

Since these are no-bake, reheating isn’t really necessary. If you want to enjoy them less firm, just let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes after removing from the fridge—it softens the cream cheese center nicely without losing their shape.

FAQs

Can I use any cream cheese for this Candy Cane Oreo Balls Recipe?

You want to use a plain, full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor. Low-fat or whipped cream cheese might make the mixture too soft or watery, affecting how well it holds together.
Do I have to use a candy cane cookie cutter?

Nope! You can shape the mixture into simple balls if you don’t have a candy cane cutter. Just roll them by hand, and you’ll still get that delicious Oreo and peppermint combo. The cutter just adds a fun holiday touch.
How do I prevent cracking in the candy melt coating?

Adding a little vegetable oil or shortening to the candy melts keeps the coating smooth and prevents cracking. Also, avoid exposing dipped Oreo balls to sudden temperature changes or rough handling while setting.
Can I make these Oreo balls ahead of time?

Absolutely! They actually taste better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours, allowing flavors to meld. You can make them up to 3 days ahead, just keep them well-covered in the fridge.
What if I don’t have meringue powder for royal icing?

Meringue powder is important for getting that stiff, hard-drying royal icing. Without it, your icing might stay sticky or soft. If you can’t get it, consider decorating with melted white chocolate or skip the stripes altogether.

Final Thoughts

This Candy Cane Oreo Balls Recipe has become one of my go-to holiday treats because it’s easy, festive, and people just can’t get enough of it. When I first shared these at a Christmas party, they kept disappearing off the platter before I could even get a second bite! I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do—they’re a perfect sweet bite for any holiday gathering or last-minute gift. Give it a try, and I bet you’ll find yourself making them year after year.