Thanksgiving Oreo Balls are not just a dessert; they are a fun and festive treat that everyone will love. Perfect for gatherings, these delightful cake balls are shaped like turkeys and bring a playful spirit to your holiday table. They are easy to make, delicious, and add a cute touch to any Thanksgiving dessert spread. Plus, kids and adults alike enjoy making and decorating them together, creating great family memories!
how to make Thanksgiving Oreo Balls
Ingredients:
- 1 package Oreo Cookies (14 ounces)
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 12 ounces Ghirardelli milk chocolate melting discs
- 22 Regular pretzels
- 22 Straight pretzels (plus more if making a fan tail)
- 44 googly eyes
- 12 M&M’s
Directions:
- Place the Oreos (don’t separate them) in a food processor. Pulse until you have fine crumbs.
- Add the cream cheese and process until the mixture is well combined.
- Use a small ice cream scoop to form into balls. Roll the balls in your hands to make them smooth.
- Place the balls on a rimmed cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 15 minutes. After that, put them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to coat them.
- Break the straight pretzels to your desired length for the necks. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place the pretzels about 2 inches apart.
- Melt a small amount of chocolate in the microwave on 50% power. Spoon a 1/2 teaspoon of chocolate over the top of the pretzels to form an oval shape. Add the googly eyes and half of an M&M for the beak. Place in the freezer for a few minutes until the chocolate sets.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt enough chocolate to cover about 5 Oreo balls. Heat it on 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth and liquid.
- Take an Oreo ball and place it on a flat part of a fork. Dip it into the melted chocolate or pour the chocolate over it. Use a sharp knife to scoot the ball off the fork onto parchment paper. Repeat this for all the remaining balls.
- Before the chocolate melts, decorate the turkeys. For the tail, dip the bottom part of a regular pretzel into chocolate and press it onto the ball. For a fan tail, dip the ends of some straight pretzels in chocolate and push them into the back of the ball. Gently push the neck pretzel into the ball for the turkey head.
- Place the finished turkey balls in the freezer for a few minutes until the chocolate sets. After that, you can store them in the refrigerator. These treats can even be frozen for later enjoyment!
how to serve Thanksgiving Oreo Balls
Serve the Thanksgiving Oreo Balls on a festive platter. Arrange them in a cute turkey shape or simply place them in rows. They are perfect for dessert tables or as a sweet snack while gathering with family and friends. These treats will bring a cheerful touch to your Thanksgiving celebrations!
how to store Thanksgiving Oreo Balls
Store the Thanksgiving Oreo Balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can stay fresh for up to one week. If you choose to freeze them, keep them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they can last for about two months.
tips to make Thanksgiving Oreo Balls
- Make sure to use softened cream cheese for easier mixing.
- You can substitute white chocolate melting discs for a different flavor.
- Feel free to get creative with the decorations! Use different candies or sprinkles to give your turkeys a unique look.
- If you’re short on time, you can make the balls a day in advance and just coat and decorate them the day you plan to serve them.
variation (if any)
You can try using different types of cookies instead of Oreos, like chocolate wafers or peanut butter cookies. This will give your Oreo balls a new flavor while keeping the fun turkey shape!
FAQs
Can I make these Oreo balls in advance?
Yes! You can make the balls a day or two ahead of time and keep them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to decorate and serve.
How long do the Thanksgiving Oreo Balls last?
They can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to one week, or you can freeze them for up to two months.
Can I use different toppings for the turkeys?
Absolutely! Get creative with your toppings. You can use any kind of candy eyes, colored chocolate, or sprinkles to give them a personal touch.
Thanksgiving Oreo Balls
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Crush the entire package of Oreo cookies, including the cream filling, into fine crumbs using a food processor. Transfer the crumbs to a large mixing bowl, then add the softened cream cheese.
- Mix the cookie crumbs and cream cheese thoroughly until well combined. Roll the mixture into approximately 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Refrigerate the Oreo balls for at least 30 minutes to firm them up; this step is crucial for easy dipping.
- Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl according to package directions, stirring until smooth, and work with small batches to keep it melted and dippable.
- Dip each chilled Oreo ball into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off, then place on the parchment-lined baking sheet and immediately decorate with sprinkles if desired.
- Refrigerate the decorated Oreo balls for another 15-30 minutes, or until the chocolate coating is completely set, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.