Grinch Oreo Balls with Red Velvet Oreos: A Festive, Fun Treat!

It’s that magical time of year again when holiday baking takes over my kitchen and the smell of sweets seems to linger in the air. But this year, I decided to switch things up and add a bit of whimsy to my usual lineup of holiday goodies. Enter: Grinch Oreo Balls with Red Velvet Oreos. These festive little bites are almost too cute to eat (almost!), and they pack a delicious punch that will win over even the Grinchiest of guests at your holiday gathering.

Now, I’ve always been a sucker for anything Grinch-themed. There’s something about his green grumpy face and eventual heartwarming transformation that gets me every time. So when I stumbled across a batch of red velvet Oreos, my mind immediately went to creating a Grinch-inspired dessert that was as fun to make as it was to eat. These Oreo balls are everything: creamy, chocolaty, and just a tad bit mischievous, just like the Grinch himself!

Grinch Oreo Balls (with Red Velvet Oreos) Recipe

🎄 My first attempt at Grinchy goodness (and a little holiday mishap)

I’ll never forget the first time I made these adorable Oreo balls. It was the middle of December, and I had my Christmas playlist cranked up, making a full day of holiday baking. I had just pulsed the Oreos into crumbs when my hand mixer decided to go rogue, sending a puff of cream cheese flying across my kitchen. If you’ve ever baked with me, you know that little “oops” moments are a regular occurrence in my kitchen, but I just laughed it off and kept going.

What surprised me most was how easy these Grinch Oreo balls are to make, despite the mess (and my overzealous mixing)! The hardest part is waiting for them to chill, but once that’s done, the decorating is where the real fun begins. These treats bring out the inner child in everyone who helps roll them or drizzle on the candy melts.

Red velvet meets the Grinch: a match made in holiday heaven

Oreo balls, in general, have been around for a while, and if you’ve made the classic version, you know how simple yet delicious they can be. But for this Grinchy twist, I had to step up the holiday spirit by using Red Velvet Oreos. Red velvet cake is one of those flavors that feels so indulgent and rich, and combined with the smooth cream cheese, it’s the perfect base for this recipe. The combination of the red velvet Oreos and the Grinch-green candy melt makes these treats not only delicious but visually irresistible.

These Oreo balls are a delightful mash-up of textures: a soft and creamy center, coated in a crunchy candy shell with a pop of bright color. And of course, you can’t forget the finishing touch—a red heart sprinkle to channel the Grinch’s iconic moment when his heart grows three sizes.

Let’s talk ingredients: simple, yet magical

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, but each ingredient plays its part in making these Oreo balls so darn addictive.

Red Velvet Oreos: The star of the show! The rich, slightly tangy flavor of the red velvet Oreo is what gives these treats a depth of flavor. If you can’t find red velvet Oreos (they can be a bit seasonal), you can substitute regular Oreos or even golden Oreos. Just remember that switching out the flavor will slightly change the taste, but they’ll still be delicious.
Cream Cheese: Ah, the smooth and creamy glue that holds these Oreo balls together. Cream cheese adds that perfect balance of tanginess to the sweetness of the cookies. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
Green Candy Melts: This is what gives these Oreo balls their Grinchy flair! I used the Melt ‘Ems brand, but any light green candy melts will do. If you can’t find green candy melts, you can always use white candy melts and tint them with food coloring. Plus, green is perfect for a holiday color palette, but the possibilities are endless.
Red Heart Sprinkles: This adorable little detail gives a nod to the Grinch’s iconic heartwarming moment. If you don’t have heart sprinkles on hand, a small dot of red frosting will work in a pinch.

🎅 Essential kitchen tools (trust me, you don’t need much)

If you’re someone who tends to shy away from baking because of complicated tools or equipment, you’re in luck! These Oreo balls are super low-maintenance when it comes to gadgets. Here’s what you’ll need:

Food Processor or Blender: You’ll need one of these to pulse the Oreos into fine crumbs. If you don’t have either, a good old-fashioned zip-top bag and a rolling pin work just fine—just put in a little elbow grease to crush them thoroughly.
Hand Mixer: This is for beating the cream cheese until it’s smooth. Again, if you don’t have one, mixing by hand with a spatula works too, but it will take a bit longer to get that smooth consistency.
Double Boiler or Microwave: For melting the candy melts. A double boiler gives you more control, but the microwave works great for a quick fix, as long as you stir between intervals.

Step-by-step: How to make Grinch Oreo balls

Prepare the Oreos: First things first, pulse those Red Velvet Oreos into fine crumbs using your food processor or blender. You want them to be as fine as possible so that they mix well with the cream cheese.
Mix with cream cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and fluffy. Then add the Oreo crumbs and mix together until well combined. It’ll form a thick, slightly sticky dough-like mixture.
Shape into balls: Use a 1.5” cookie scoop (or a spoon) to portion out the mixture into evenly sized balls. Roll each one between your hands to smooth them out. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and pop them in the fridge to chill for about 2 hours. This will help them firm up, making it easier to coat them later.
Melt the candy melts: Now it’s time to get the Grinch’s signature green color on these Oreo balls. Set aside about ½ cup of the candy melts for later (for drizzling), and melt the rest in a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring frequently until smooth.
Dip the balls: Using a fork, dip each Oreo ball into the melted candy, tapping off the excess before placing them back on the baking sheet. Let them set while you work on the drizzle.
Add the drizzle: Take the reserved candy melts, pop them in a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off), and drizzle the melted candy over each ball. Quickly top with a red heart sprinkle before the drizzle hardens.
Let them set: Allow the Oreo balls to set completely before serving. You can speed this process up by popping them back in the fridge for a few minutes.

Variations and adaptations

These Grinch Oreo balls are already festive, but you can easily customize them to fit any occasion!

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free Oreos for a celiac-friendly treat.
Vegan: Swap out the cream cheese for a dairy-free version, and use vegan candy melts. Trust me, they’ll still taste amazing!
Other Flavors: Not a fan of red velvet? Try golden Oreos, peanut butter Oreos, or even mint-flavored ones for a cool, holiday twist.
Seasonal Colors: You can swap out the green candy melts for red or white during Valentine’s Day or Easter. A simple change of sprinkles can make these fit any holiday or event!

Presentation: Because we eat with our eyes, too!

When it comes to serving these Oreo balls, I love presenting them on a bright, festive platter. Stack them up in a pyramid shape for a fun, tree-like effect, or line them up neatly with extra heart sprinkles scattered around the plate for an extra pop of color. You could even pop them into cute holiday-themed mini cupcake liners for individual servings.

Drink pairings? You bet!

Grinch Oreo balls pair wonderfully with a warm cup of hot chocolate, especially if you’re serving them at a holiday party. For a more sophisticated pairing, try a light, semi-sweet white wine like a Moscato or a bubbly Prosecco—both balance out the richness of the Oreo balls perfectly.

Storing and reheating tips

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, these Oreo balls store wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze them! Just let them thaw in the fridge before serving, and they’ll be good as new. If you want to firm them up before serving, a quick 10-minute chill in the fridge does the trick.

Scaling the recipe up or down

Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just making a small batch, these Oreo balls are easy to adjust. For a smaller batch, simply halve the ingredients. If you’re making a large batch, I recommend chilling the balls in stages, especially if you don’t have much fridge space.

Potential pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

Candy melts too thick? Add a tiny bit of vegetable oil to thin them out.
Balls too soft? Make sure they’ve chilled long enough before dipping.
Cracked coating? Be gentle when tapping off the excess coating and avoid cooling them too quickly.

Give it a try, and don’t forget to have fun!

If you’re looking for a holiday treat that’s festive, fun, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, these Grinch Oreo balls are the perfect choice. Not only do they taste delicious, but they’re also a joy to make—especially when you’ve got friends or family to help with the decorating. And if you’re feeling creative, you can always switch things up with your own variations. Enjoy, and happy holiday baking!

FAQs

Can I use regular Oreos instead of red velvet?
Absolutely! The red velvet adds a nice touch of flavor, but regular Oreos work just as well.
How long do these Oreo balls last?
They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for about a week, but I doubt they’ll last that long!
Can I freeze Oreo balls?
Yes, just freeze them in an airtight container, and thaw them in the fridge before serving.
Can I make these vegan?
You sure can! Just use vegan cream cheese and dairy-free candy melts.
What if my candy melts are too thick?
Simply stir in a little bit of vegetable oil to thin them out.