Santa Belly Oreo Cookie Ball Treats

A Sweet Little Project

Let’s make some Santa Belly Cookie Balls. They are so much fun. I love how they look like jolly little Santas. It always makes me smile.

You just need Oreos and cream cheese for the inside. The colored chocolate makes the magic happen. I promise it is easier than it looks. What is your favorite holiday treat to make with your family?

The Heart of the Matter

Mixing the crumbs and cream cheese is the best part. You get to use your hands. It feels cool and squishy. This is where the treat comes together.

Getting your hands messy is important. It connects you to your food. This matters because cooking should be a joy, not a chore. It is a little lesson in having fun while you work.

A Sticky Situation

Now we dip the balls in red chocolate. This can get a bit tricky. My first time, I had chocolate everywhere. I still laugh at that.

Just take your time. A fork is your best friend here. Let the extra chocolate drip off. Doesn’t that red color look so cheerful?

Santa’s Finishing Touches

Time for the belt and buckle. You use black and yellow chocolate. You pipe it on like you are drawing. It is your chance to be an artist.

*Fun fact*: The first Oreo cookie was sold in 1912. That is over one hundred years of cookie joy. Do you like to draw or paint? This part is just like that.

Why We Make These

These treats are more than just sugar. They are about making memories. Sharing them with friends is the real prize. This matters more than a perfect belt buckle.

Making food for people is an act of love. It says, “I was thinking of you.” Will you be sharing these with your friends or your family this year?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Cream cheese	1 (8-ounce) block	Softened
OREO Cookies	36 cookies	Finely crushed
Wilton Candy Melts (Red)	1 (12-ounce) package	For coating
Wilton Candy Melts (Black)	1 (12-ounce) package	For belt (uses about 1/2 package)
Wilton Candy Melts (Yellow)	1 (12-ounce) package	For belt buckle (uses about 1/4 package)

Santa’s Little Kitchen Helpers

Oh, these little cookie balls bring me so much joy. They look like Santa’s round belly with his big black belt. I first made them with my grandson, Leo. He was so careful painting on the buckles. I still laugh at that.

Making them is a fun little project. You get to use your hands. The best part is seeing all the happy Santas lined up at the end. Doesn’t that sound like a lovely time?

Step 1: Let’s start with the creamy middle. Put your soft cream cheese in a big bowl. Add all those finely crushed Oreo crumbs. Mix it all together until it becomes a thick, dark dough. (A hard-learned tip: make sure that cream cheese is really soft. Otherwise, your arms will get so tired mixing!)

Step 2: Now, roll the dough into little balls. They should be about the size of a big marble. Place them all on a baking sheet with wax paper. Then, pop the whole tray into the freezer. They only need about ten minutes in there. This helps them stay round when we dip them.

Step 3: Time for Santa’s red suit! Melt the red candy melts carefully. I do it in the microwave for just a few seconds. Then, dip each ball until it’s completely red. Let them dry on the wax paper. What’s your favorite part of decorating cookies? Share below!

Step 4: Let’s make the belt. Melt some of the black candy. Put it in a little bag and snip a tiny corner off. Gently pipe a thick black belt across each red ball. Wait for the belts to get hard. It doesn’t take long, I promise.

Step 5: Finally, the shiny belt buckle! Use the yellow candy just like the black. Draw a little square buckle right on the belt. Now you have a whole plate of happy Santas. Keep them in the fridge so they stay perfect.

Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 48 cookie balls
Category: Dessert, No-Bake

Let’s Get Creative!

Once you know the basics, you can make these for any holiday. It’s so much fun to change things up. My neighbor tried a peppermint version for Christmas. They were delicious.

Here are a few fun twists you could try. Peppermint Snowman: Use white candy coating. Give him a little hat and a scarf. Easter Bunny: Make them with pastel pink or blue. Add two long white ears on top. Chocolate Reindeer: Use milk chocolate coating. Pipe on antlers and a cute red nose.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Sweet Santas

These treats are wonderful all on their own. But you can make them extra special. Place each one in a tiny, colorful paper cup. It looks so festive on a plate. You could also sprinkle a little powdered sugar around them like snow.

What should you drink with them? A cold glass of milk is the classic choice. It goes perfectly with the chocolate. For the grown-ups, a warm cup of coffee is just right. The bitter coffee tastes wonderful with the sweet candy. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Santa Bellies Happy

Let’s talk about storing these sweet treats. They must stay cold because of the cream cheese. Always keep them in the fridge in a sealed container.

You can also freeze them for a later surprise. I once made a double batch for a snowed-in weekend. It was such a joy to have them ready.

This matters because good planning means less stress. You can make memories instead of rushing. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Fixing Little Kitchen Hiccups

Sometimes the dough is too sticky. If this happens, just pop the bowl into the fridge for ten minutes. Chilled dough is much easier to roll.

The candy coating might be too thick. I remember when my first batch looked lumpy. Add a tiny bit of coconut oil to thin it.

If your belt or buckle breaks, do not worry. This is a chance to be creative. Fixing small issues builds your cooking confidence.

Getting the flavors right makes every bite special. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Santa Belly Questions Answered

Q: Can I make these gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use your favorite gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies.

Q: How far ahead can I make them? A: You can make the balls two days before. Decorate them the day you serve.

Q: What can I use instead of candy melts? A: Almond bark or good melting chocolate will work just fine.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch? A: Of course. Just use half the cream cheese and half the cookies.

Q: Any fun extras I can add? A: A little peppermint extract in the dough is lovely. Which tip will you try first?

Fun fact: The first Oreo cookie was sold in 1912!

Share Your Holiday Creations

I hope you have the best time making these Santa Bellies. Your kitchen will smell like sweet memories.

I would love to see what you create. Sharing our food stories connects us all. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Elowen Thorn.