Pumpkin Oreo Balls Recipe
Introduction
These Pumpkin Oreo Balls are a festive and delicious treat perfect for fall gatherings or Halloween parties. Combining the rich flavors of Oreo cookies and cream cheese, coated in bright orange candy melts, they resemble adorable little pumpkins that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 36 Oreo cookies
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 12 oz orange candy melts
- Small pretzel sticks (for stems)
- Leaf icing decorations (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Pulse Oreo cookies in a food processor until finely crumbled.
- Step 2: Mix in softened cream cheese until well combined and smooth.
- Step 3: Scoop the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Step 4: Use a toothpick to gently score lines around the balls, creating a pumpkin-like appearance. Return them to the refrigerator for another 10 minutes.
- Step 5: While chilling, melt the orange candy melts over a double boiler or microwave according to package instructions.
- Step 6: Dip each pumpkin ball into the melted candy coating, shaking off excess chocolate. Place them back on the lined baking sheet.
- Step 7: Immediately insert a small pretzel stick into each ball to resemble a stem, and decorate with leaf icing if desired.
- Step 8: Refrigerate the finished pumpkin Oreo balls until firm and ready to serve.
Tips & Variations
- Use white candy melts tinted with orange food coloring if orange candy melts are unavailable.
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the Oreo and cream cheese mixture.
- Substitute pretzel sticks with candy cane pieces or chocolate sprinkles for different “stem” effects.
- Chill the balls thoroughly before dipping to help the coating set quickly and prevent melting.
Storage
Store pumpkin Oreo balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Allow them to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture. They can also be frozen for up to one month; thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these without a food processor?
Yes, you can place the Oreo cookies in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until finely crumbled. It might take a bit longer but works just as well.
Can I use other flavors of cookies instead of Oreos?
Absolutely! Chocolate sandwich cookies work best for the classic flavor, but feel free to experiment with mint or golden Oreo varieties for a fun twist.
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Pumpkin Oreo Balls Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 pumpkin Oreo balls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Pumpkin Oreo Balls are a festive and delicious no-bake treat that combines crushed Oreo cookies and cream cheese, coated in vibrant orange candy melts and decorated to look like mini pumpkins. Perfect for Halloween or autumn celebrations, these bite-sized desserts are easy to prepare and delightfully creamy with a sweet crunch.
Ingredients
Core Ingredients
- 36 Oreo cookies
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
Coating and Decoration
- 12 oz orange candy melts
- Small pretzel sticks (for pumpkin stems)
- Leaf icing decorations (for pumpkin leaves)
Instructions
- Crush Oreos: Pulse the Oreo cookies in a food processor until they are finely crumbled into small pieces, ensuring a uniform texture for the truffles.
- Mix with Cream Cheese: Add the softened cream cheese to the crushed Oreos and mix thoroughly until a smooth, consistent dough forms.
- Form Balls: Scoop the mixture into 1-inch balls using a small cookie scoop or your hands. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm them up.
- Score Lines: Use a toothpick to gently score vertical lines around each ball to create the appearance of pumpkins. Return them to the refrigerator for another 10 minutes to set.
- Melt Candy Coating: Melt the orange candy melts in a double boiler or microwave following the package instructions, stirring until smooth and fluid.
- Dip and Decorate: Dip each Oreo ball into the melted candy melts, coating completely. Shake off any excess coating and place the balls back onto the parchment-lined sheet.
- Add Pumpkin Details: Immediately stick a small pretzel piece into the top of each ball to represent the pumpkin stem, and add leaf-shaped icing decorations next to the stems.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the decorated Oreo pumpkin balls until the coating is firm and ready to serve.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
- If candy melts are too thick, add a small amount of vegetable oil to thin the coating.
- Leaf icing decorations can be purchased or piped using colored royal icing.
- Store the pumpkin balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking during chilling and decorating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Pumpkin Oreo Balls, Halloween Dessert, No Bake Treats, Oreo Truffles, Candy Melt Coated, Autumn Snacks
