No-Bake Peppermint Bark Snowballs Recipe

Festive No-Bake Peppermint Bark Snowballs Recipe for the Holidays

Crafting delightful no-bake peppermint bark snowballs brings festive magic right into your kitchen.

These sweet spheres capture winter’s whimsical spirit with minimal effort.

Crushed candy canes and chocolate chips create an irresistible blend of crunch and smoothness.

Rich cream cheese binds the ingredients, ensuring each bite melts perfectly on your tongue.

Cool peppermint notes dance through the creamy mixture, promising a refreshing treat.

Simple ingredients and zero oven time mean you can whip up these delectable morsels in minutes.

Imagine surprising guests with these elegant, frosty delights that look sophisticated yet taste wonderfully playful.

Why No-Bake Peppermint Bark Snowballs Are Holiday Must-Haves

  • Engage kids in rolling and coating the balls, making it a playful holiday activity that brings everyone together in the kitchen.
  • Create impressive, delicious treats without turning on the oven, using simple ingredients and easy techniques that guarantee success for even novice bakers.
  • Serve these elegant, bite-sized desserts at holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or as a charming homemade gift that looks professionally made.

Ingredients for No-Bake Peppermint Bark Snowballs

Base Ingredients:
  • Chocolate Sandwich Cookies: Provides the crunchy base and rich chocolate flavor for the snowballs.
  • Peppermint Candies: Adds a classic holiday peppermint twist and festive crunch.
Binding Ingredient:
  • Cream Cheese: Helps bind the ingredients together and creates a smooth, creamy texture.
Coating and Finishing Ingredients:
  • White Chocolate, Powdered Sugar: White chocolate adds sweetness and helps bind, while powdered sugar creates a beautiful snowy exterior.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Peppermint Extract: Optional ingredient for extra peppermint intensity, great for true mint lovers.

How to Make Peppermint Bark Snowballs Without an Oven

Step 1: Crush Cookie Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and start crushing chocolate sandwich cookies into fine crumbs. Crunch those peppermint candies into tiny pieces alongside the cookies. This will create a delightful festive foundation for your snowballs.

  • Chocolate sandwich cookies
  • Peppermint candies

Use a food processor or place cookies in a sealed plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin for even texture.

Step 2: Blend Creamy Mixture

Soften cream cheese at room temperature. Drop the cream cheese into the cookie-candy mixture. Mix thoroughly using a spatula or your hands until everything combines into a smooth, moldable dough. The mixture should hold together when pressed.

  • Cream cheese

Step 3: Drizzle White Chocolate

Melt white chocolate using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts. Pour the silky white chocolate into the cookie mixture. Stir gently to create a uniform consistency that will help your snowballs stick together perfectly.

  • White chocolate

Step 4: Form Delightful Spheres

Using clean hands or a small cookie scoop, roll the mixture into bite-sized balls. Aim for uniform size, about one inch in diameter. Place each snowball on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

  • Parchment paper

Step 5: Dust with Powdered Sugar

Roll each snowball in powdered sugar, creating a soft, snowy exterior. Make sure the entire surface is covered for that classic winter wonderland look.

  • Powdered sugar

Step 6: Chill and Set

Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator. Let the snowballs chill for at least one hour. This helps them firm up and enhances their flavor.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Remove snowballs from the refrigerator. Arrange on a festive plate or store in an airtight container. These treats are perfect for holiday gatherings or a sweet personal indulgence.

Peppermint Bark Snowball Tips for Success

  • Crush Cookies Perfectly: Use a food processor or place cookies in a sealed bag and crush with a rolling pin for uniform, fine crumbs that bind together smoothly.
  • Soften Cream Cheese Right: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure easy blending and prevent lumpy texture.
  • Control Chocolate Melting: Melt white chocolate using a double boiler or microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each to prevent burning and achieve silky consistency.
  • Chill for Best Texture: Refrigerate snowballs for at least 2 hours to help them firm up, making them easier to handle and enhancing their flavor and texture.
  • Customize Coating Options: Experiment with different sugar types like granulated, powdered, or colored sugar to add visual appeal and personalize your peppermint bark snowballs.

How to Store Your No-Bake Peppermint Bark Snowballs

  • Store snowballs in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing flavor absorption from other foods.
  • Place snowballs in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers, lasting up to 3 weeks for longer preservation.
  • Remove frozen snowballs from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, ensuring a soft, creamy texture.
  • Enjoy these treats directly from the refrigerator for the best taste and consistency, maintaining their delightful peppermint and chocolate flavors.

Treats That Go Great with Peppermint Bark Snowballs

  • Combine rich hot chocolate with a splash of peppermint schnapps for a warming companion that echoes the dessert's cool mint flavor profile.
  • Serve chilled Irish cream liqueur alongside the snowballs, creating a luxurious dessert experience with complementary creamy textures.
  • Pour a crisp, slightly sweet prosecco or champagne that cuts through the rich cream cheese and provides a festive effervescent contrast.
  • Brew a warm vanilla chai tea that balances the snowballs' sweetness with its complex spiced undertones, creating a delightful sensory pairing.

Peppermint Bark Snowball Variations to Try

  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace chocolate sandwich cookies with gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour-based cookies to create a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Variation: Swap cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese alternative and use vegan white chocolate chips for a plant-based treat.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute powdered sugar coating with finely crushed unsweetened coconut flakes and use sugar-free white chocolate for reduced sugar content.
  • Nutty Crunch Version: Mix chopped almonds or pecans into the base mixture to add extra texture and nutty flavor profile.
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No-Bake Peppermint Bark Snowballs Recipe

No-Bake Peppermint Bark Snowballs Recipe


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4.8 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Festive no-bake peppermint bark snowballs bring winter magic to holiday dessert tables with creamy chocolate and cool mint flavors. Cool seasonal treats melt hearts and delight guests with their elegant simplicity and irresistible charm.


Ingredients

Scale

Primary Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240 ml) white chocolate chips, melted
  • 1 cup (120 g) crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)
  • ¼ cup (60 g) cream cheese, softened

Flavor/Coating Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (80 g) crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Pulverize chocolate sandwich cookies and peppermint candies into fine crumbs within a spacious mixing vessel.
  2. Introduce softened cream cheese into the cookie-peppermint mixture, kneading thoroughly to create a cohesive, moldable texture.
  3. Drizzle molten white chocolate throughout the blend, stirring meticulously to ensure uniform distribution of ingredients.
  4. Craft compact spherical formations using gentle hand pressure or a miniature scoop, aiming for consistent one-inch diameter orbs.
  5. Delicately enrobe each snowball in a generous dusting of powdered sugar, rotating to achieve complete coverage.
  6. Arrange the sugar-coated confections onto a parchment-lined tray, then transfer to refrigeration for a minimum of 60 minutes to solidify structural integrity.
  7. Upon achieving desired firmness, present the chilled peppermint bark snowballs immediately or preserve within a sealed container in the refrigerator for future enjoyment.

Notes

  • Swap cookies to accommodate dietary needs like gluten-free or vegan sandwich cookies for a personalized treat.
  • Crush peppermint candies finely to ensure smooth texture and even distribution throughout the snowballs.
  • Control sweetness by adjusting the amount of powdered sugar coating or using alternative sugar substitutes.
  • Enhance flavor complexity by adding a tiny drop of peppermint extract for an extra minty kick in the mixture.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg
Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Grilling Techniques and Innovations​
  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Culinary Education and Workshops​
  • Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking. ​


Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.

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