As the holiday season draws near, the air fills with the sweet aromas of classic Christmas baking. Among the cherished traditions of creating festive treats, sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies hold a special place in our hearts. But what if you could transform these beloved holiday staples into something even more magical, more bite-sized, and utterly irresistible? Get ready to learn how to turn your favorite festive cookies into spectacular Christmas Cookie Truffles!

These delightful truffles are not only a feast for the eyes but also incredibly simple to make, requiring just four essential ingredients: your choice of festive cookies, smooth cream cheese, decadent chocolate for coating, and a sprinkle of holiday cheer. Whether you’re looking for a quick yet impressive dessert for a holiday gathering, a charming edible gift, or a fun activity to enjoy with family, these easy truffles are guaranteed to bring smiles and satisfy any sweet craving.

Why You’ll Adore This Christmas Cookie Truffle Recipe

These Christmas Cookie Truffles are more than just a dessert; they’re a delightful experience that encapsulates the spirit of the holidays. Here’s why you’ll want to make them a new tradition:

• **They Feature Your Favorite Holiday Cookies:** This recipe is built upon my highly-rated soft cut-out sugar cookies and chewy ginger molasses cookies! My special Christmas sugar cookie dough, passed down from my grandma, includes subtle hints of bright lemon and warm nutmeg, creating a truly unique and comforting flavor profile. The ginger molasses cookies offer that perfect balance of spice and chewiness that everyone craves during the festive season.
• **Dual Delights: Sugar Cookie and Gingerbread Truffles in One Tutorial:** This simple, versatile recipe allows you to create two distinct yet equally delicious truffle varieties. You can whip up a batch of sweet and delicate sugar cookie truffles, or opt for the warmly spiced and robust gingerbread truffles. Or, why not make both and offer a delightful assortment of holiday flavors? The clear instructions guide you through making both types with ease.
• **Premium Flavors with Natural Ingredients:** The foundation cookies are elevated with the finest Watkins organic spices and extracts, ensuring every bite is bursting with authentic holiday taste. Beyond the flavor, these truffles are adorned with Watkins’ stunning sprinkles, which are famously free from artificial dyes. This means you get vibrant, festive decorations without compromising on natural goodness, making them a healthier choice for your holiday table.
• **A Joyful Activity for All Ages:** Making these truffles is a fantastic way to engage both children and adults in the holiday spirit. From crushing cookies to rolling the truffle balls and, of course, the fun part of dipping them in chocolate and covering them with sprinkles, it’s an interactive and rewarding kitchen project. It’s a wonderful opportunity to create lasting holiday memories and enjoy delicious results together.

Essential Ingredients for Your Christmas Cookie Truffles

Crafting these irresistible Christmas cookie truffles requires just a few key components. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create these holiday delights:

• **Your Favorite Holiday Cookies (Sugar or Ginger Molasses):** The star of these Christmas cookie truffles! You’ll need one batch of either my beloved soft cut-out sugar cookies or my soft and chewy ginger molasses cookies. Using homemade cookies provides the best flavor and texture, especially when they’re made with high-quality Watkins organic spices and flavorings. If time is tight, a good quality store-bought cookie can also work, but be prepared to adjust the amount of cream cheese.
• **Softened Cream Cheese:** This is the magical binding agent that transforms your crumbled cookies into a workable, smooth truffle base. Adding cream cheese gives the truffles a rich, tangy depth and helps them hold their shape perfectly. The exact amount can vary slightly depending on the moisture content of your cookies. A good starting point is 1 ounce per batch of cookies, gradually adding more until the mixture can be easily rolled into a smooth, cohesive ball without falling apart or being too sticky.
• **Chocolate Melting Wafers:** Also widely known as candy coating or coating chocolate, these special chocolate wafers are formulated to melt smoothly and harden beautifully at room temperature, creating a crisp, shiny shell for your truffles. This eliminates the need for complicated chocolate tempering. For sugar cookie truffles, I personally love using white chocolate for a classic look and taste. For the gingerbread truffles, semi-sweet chocolate offers a wonderful contrast and deep flavor. However, feel free to experiment with any melting wafers you prefer, including milk chocolate or even colored candy melts for extra festive flair!
• **Festive Sprinkles:** To give these treats their signature holiday charm, you’ll want to finish them off with an array of beautiful, festive sprinkles. Watkins offers fantastic all-natural Holiday sprinkles, as well as vibrant green and red decorating sugars, which are free from artificial dyes and add a wonderful pop of color and texture. Choose your favorites to match your holiday theme!

For precise measurements and a detailed list, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located below.

Creative Substitutions & Exciting Variations

While the classic Christmas Cookie Truffles are undeniably delicious, there’s plenty of room to get creative and customize them to your liking or for any special occasion. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• **Seasonal & Occasional Truffles:** Easily adapt these truffles for any holiday or celebration beyond Christmas! Simply swap out the festive sprinkles for different colored or themed options. For a birthday, try bright rainbow sprinkles like Watkins Rainbow Nonpareils; for Valentine’s Day, use pink and red hearts; or for Halloween, opt for orange and black designs. The base recipe remains the same, making it incredibly versatile.
• **Chocolate Choice: Beyond Melting Wafers:** If chocolate melting wafers aren’t available, you can certainly use high-quality bittersweet or semi-sweet baking chocolate. However, be aware that regular chocolate requires a process called tempering to ensure it hardens properly and maintains a glossy finish without blooming (white streaks). Tempering can be a bit tricky for beginners, so if you’re new to it, stick with melting wafers for guaranteed success.
• **Flavor Boosts and Textural Delights:** Elevate your truffles with additional mix-ins or toppings! Consider adding finely crushed candy canes to the cookie mixture or sprinkling them on top of the wet chocolate for a minty crunch, perfect for the holidays. Extra cookie crumbs, chopped nuts, or even a dash of espresso powder (for gingerbread truffles) can add delightful layers of flavor and texture.
• **Elegant Drizzles and Decorative Finishes:** For an extra touch of elegance, dip your truffles in one color of chocolate and let them set completely. Then, melt a contrasting chocolate (like dark chocolate over white chocolate or vice versa) and drizzle it artfully over the cooled truffles. Immediately add sprinkles or other toppings to the fresh drizzle for a beautiful, layered look.
• **The Best of Both Worlds: Marbled Truffles:** Can’t decide between sugar cookie and gingerbread truffles? Make a batch of each cookie, then double the cream cheese and chocolate. You can create separate batches of each flavor, or for a unique twist, gently combine dollops of both cookie mixtures before rolling them into balls. This creates beautiful marbled gingerbread sugar cookie truffles that offer a delightful blend of both flavors in every bite!

Please note that this recipe has primarily been tested with the specified ingredients and variations. If you decide to replace or add any ingredients not listed, we encourage you to share your results and any insights in the comments section below to help other bakers!

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Perfect Christmas Cookie Truffles

Making these decadent Christmas cookie truffles is a fun and straightforward process. Follow these detailed steps to create your holiday masterpieces:

Step 1: Bake and Cool Your Cookies. Begin by preparing a batch of your chosen sugar or ginger molasses cookies, allowing them to cool completely. This cooling step is crucial for the truffles’ texture. If you’re using the sugar cookie recipe specifically for these truffles, you can skip the chilling and cutting out of the dough. Instead, simply form the dough into small, uniform balls and bake them on a baking sheet at 350°F (175°C) until their edges just begin to turn a light golden brown, usually around 8-15 minutes. This ensures they are perfectly baked for crumbling.

Step 2: Create the Truffle Base. Once your cookies are completely cool, break them into pieces and place them in a food processor. Pulse until fine crumbs form. Next, add the softened cream cheese, starting with 1 ounce, and continue to pulse. The goal is to achieve a mixture that can be easily packed and rolled into a smooth, cohesive ball without any crumbly bits. Add more cream cheese, one ounce at a time, if the mixture still seems too dry, pulsing after each addition, until you reach the desired consistency. Be careful not to over-process, as this can make the mixture too oily.

Step 3: Roll and Chill the Truffle Balls. Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking. Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, portion out the cookie mixture. Firmly pack the mixture into the spoon, then roll it between your palms to form a perfectly smooth ball. Place each truffle onto the prepared baking sheet. Once all truffles are rolled, transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator or freezer until the cookie balls are thoroughly cold and firm. This chilling step is vital for ensuring the truffles hold their shape and preventing the chocolate coating from cracking later.

Step 4: Coat in Chocolate. Remove the chilled sugar or gingerbread cookie truffles from the refrigerator. Allow them to sit at room temperature for a few minutes so their outsides can warm slightly – this helps prevent cracking in the chocolate coating. Meanwhile, melt your chosen chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl (in 30-second intervals, stirring between each) or over a double boiler until completely smooth. Working with one truffle at a time, carefully dip it into the melted chocolate, using a fork to gently rotate and ensure it’s fully coated. Lift the truffle, tap off any excess chocolate, and immediately place it back onto the lined baking sheet.

Step 5: Decorate and Set. Immediately after placing each chocolate-covered truffle back on the baking sheet, generously cover it with your chosen Watkins Holiday Sprinkles or Decorating Sugars. Work quickly, as melting wafers dry very fast, and the sprinkles need to adhere to wet chocolate. Once decorated, allow the Christmas cookie truffles to fully dry and set at room temperature, or return them to the refrigerator to speed up the process. Once firm, they are ready to be enjoyed!

Expert Tips for Perfect Cookie Truffles Every Time

Achieving perfectly coated, crack-free Christmas cookie truffles is simple with these expert tips:

1. **Don’t Skip the Chilling Step:** This is paramount! Ensuring the insides of your cookie truffles are thoroughly cold and firm before dipping them in warm chocolate is critical. The cold interior helps the chocolate coating set much faster and prevents the truffle from losing its shape or crumbling during the dipping process. Aim for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator or 15-20 minutes in the freezer.
2. **Warm the Truffle Exteriors Slightly:** While the inside should be cold, allowing the truffles to sit out for a few minutes and rolling them gently in your hands just before dipping helps warm the *outer surface* a bit. This slight temperature adjustment reduces the drastic temperature difference between the cold truffle and the warm chocolate, significantly minimizing the risk of the chocolate coating cracking once it sets.
3. **Act Fast with Sprinkles:** Chocolate melting wafers are designed to set quickly, which is great for efficiency but means you can’t delay with decorations. Once you dip a truffle and place it on your lined sheet, add your sprinkles immediately while the chocolate is still wet and tacky. If you wait too long, the chocolate will dry, and your beautiful sprinkles won’t adhere properly.
4. **Use a Baking Sheet with Raised Edges:** To make the decorating process less messy and to contain any runaway sprinkles, always use a baking sheet that has raised edges. This simple trick will keep your sprinkles from rolling off onto your countertop and makes for much easier cleanup.
5. **Maintain Chocolate Temperature:** If you’re dipping many truffles, your melted chocolate might start to thicken or cool. If this happens, briefly re-warm it in the microwave (10-15 seconds) or over the double boiler to return it to a smooth, dippable consistency. Consistent chocolate temperature ensures an even coating.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Cookie Truffles

Got questions about making these delightful holiday truffles? We’ve got answers!

Proper Storage for Freshness

To ensure your delightful Christmas Cookie Truffles remain fresh and delicious for as long as possible, proper storage is key:

Refrigerator Storage

Once your truffles are fully set and dry, transfer them to an airtight container. Layer them carefully, with parchment paper between layers if necessary, to prevent sticking or damage to the chocolate coating. Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Chilling also enhances their texture, making them delightfully firm and chewy.

Freezing Instructions

For longer preservation, gingerbread or sugar cookie truffles freeze beautifully. Place the finished truffles in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, again with parchment paper between layers. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 1 month. To enjoy, simply thaw them in the refrigerator for a few hours or at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

More Holiday & Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed making these Christmas Cookie Truffles, you might love these other delicious recipes perfect for the holiday season or any sweet craving:

Did You Make These Delicious Truffles?

I would absolutely love to hear about your experience with these Christmas Cookie Truffles! Please let us know what you thought by leaving a comment below. Don’t forget to share your festive creations with the Broken Oven Baking community by tagging us on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest! Your photos and feedback truly inspire me.

Happy Baking!
-Kayla

Christmas Cookie Truffles

Kayla Burton