The next few days hold the possibility of many bright, full moments: cutting into my mom’s annual pan of fresh cinnamon rolls, watching my niece and nephews swashbuckling their way through jungles of Christmas wrapping paper with their foam swords, the beautiful Christmas afternoon nap. But there were also some shining moments in the past few days that made this holiday a special one. Moments like this one, for example:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfHijA5PjA8&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
In case you couldn’t tell — what, my shaky hands and shrieking aren’t helping? — that’s Mike graduating from college with a BS in Mathematics. His family and I were sitting about a mile high in the stands, just as proud as fresh-plucked plums. Afterward we got a closer view of his handsome cap and gown.
Mike and a proud, plum-like Julie.
All of these special moments — the holiday celebrating my Savior’s birth, the coming new year, and the culmination of Mike’s undergraduate studies — warranted some special treats. I got a little crafty with some golden oreos, cream cheese, white candy melts, fruit roll ups, melted chocolate, and sprinkles. Okay, I bet you’re confused by now. Why don’t I just show you?
Voilà, oreo truffle snowmen! What do you think — would Bakerella, queen of cuteness, be proud? Personally, I was as tickled as a hungry hyena in a flock o’ flamingoes. Which is why, despite numerous setbacks, I persevered for about 13 hours to make, decorate, and photograph these little snow sweeties. I did take frequent breaks when things were going particularly bad to watch Ballet Shoes (don’t bother with the movie, but the book is cute), drink coke zero, mourn, sing Christmas carols, and dance around with Byrd. She doesn’t mind a bit when we’re up ’til 5 a.m. because of baking shenanigans. More time to play!
Why were these so time consuming? Well, I think the fat/moisture content in the oreo truffles this time around caused my candy melt to crack and ooze repeatedly. I redipped a gazillion times before finally realizing that refrigerating my snowpeople stopped the ooze. If I’d made that revelation sooner, these might have been relatively simple. Well, other than cutting out the little scarves from fruit roll ups, piping little branch arms, and sorting multicolored sprinkles. Okay, so these aren’t the treats for you if you’re in a hurry. But you have to admit, they are somethin’ special!
Not just appearance-wise, either. This happens to be a delicious group of snowfolks. I love golden oreo truffles even better than their chocolate cousins, and the vanilla flavored candy melts (I use CandiQuik) with chocolate accents was the perfect flavor addition. Mike said he might even love these more than red velvet cake balls — and that’s saying a lot! Speaking of Mike, of course I had to do a little something special to honor his special day. How about something like this:
Want to make these cuties? The recipe below includes notes I wish I’d known the first time around. Clear yourself an afternoon (and evening), put on some Christmas carols, and enjoy! Happy holidays!
Oreo Truffle Snowmen
Recipe By: Kraft Food & Family Fall 2006 (adapted, with decorating ideas by Willow Bird Baking)
Yields: About 15 large snowmen
Oreo Truffle Ingredients:
2 packages golden oreo cookies (divided; use cookie including the cream center)
2 8-ounce package cream cheese (softened)
white candy coating or candy melts (I use CandiQuik)
Decorations:
multicolored or chocolate sprinkles
candy-coated chocolate kiss sprinkles
strawberry fruit roll ups (or fruit by the foot)
chocolate (for melting)
Directions
1. Finely crush all but 14 cookies in a food processor or place them in a ziploc bag and crush into a fine consistency. Note: As for the extra 14 cookies, just eat them. Or, if you have extra dipping chocolate, make some chocolate covered oreos.
2. Stir in softened cream cheese. Use the back of a large spoon to help mash the two together.
3. Roll the mixture into 2″ balls (for the bodies) and 1″ balls (for the heads) and place on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Make sure you have enough heads for your bodies!
5. It helps to put the uncoated balls in the freezer for a few minutes to keep the mixture from starting to fall apart when you drop into the melted chocolate. Note: I refrigerate mine for an hour or two in lieu of the freezer. I’ve heard folks say that if they get too cold, they can crack.
6. Melt candy coating as directed on package and then dip balls one at a time into candy coating. Let excess coating drain off onto wax paper covered cookie sheet to dry. Note: Dipping is often the most difficult part. Find what works for you. Let your kitchen be your playground. Look through your utensils for useful tools, and be creative. I used a grill fork to hold my “bodies” while spooning coating over them, and then redipped the bottoms separately. For the heads, I usually skewered them with a toothpick, dipped them, and then wriggled them off onto the wax paper after draining excess coating.
7. As soon as each body and head is dry (which usually only takes a couple of minutes) transfer it to the refrigerator immediately to prevent cracking/oozing. If it does crack, blot with a paper towel, redip, dry, and then refrigerate.
To decorate:
1. Take a head and body out of the fridge, and “glue” them together using melted candy coating (I used a sharp paring knife here to whittle away some of the excess coating around the bottom of the heads).
2. Use melted coating to “glue” on chocolate sprinkles for eyes, mouth, and buttons if desired. “Glue” on an orange candy-coated chocolate sprinkle (or a regular orange sprinkle) for a carrot nose.
3. Cut a strip of strawberry fruit roll up, and snip “fringe” into each end. Wrap around snowman’s neck and “glue” together with melted candy coating.
4. Melt chocolate and pipe out tree branch arms. Using a bamboo skewer or a toothpick, carve out a hole in each side of the snowman. Gently slide a “branch” into each hole to serve as arms.
4. Refrigerate snowmen in an airtight container.
5. Immediately before serving, you can create a snowy scene with coconut and/or glistening sugar sprinkles. Optional but pretty!
Mixing up the golden oreo truffles and shaping snowman parts.
My very first snowman, and then three chilling out in the fridge.
All the snowmen decorated, and then finally receiving arms!
Mike seeing his “surprise” snowman and Byrd giving her daddy graduation kisses.
My favorite snowman! Happy as can be!
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[…] inspired her to make these or the recipe she used, but I found a similar recipe and instructions here. So cute! Giant cupcake inside of a […]
Barbara
December 22, 2009 at 12:40 am (15 years ago)They really are somethin’ special! Congratulations to you both! Happy holidays!
Julie
December 22, 2009 at 12:59 am (15 years ago)Thanks, Barbara! Happy holidays to you and your family!
Angela
December 22, 2009 at 3:43 am (15 years ago)Oh, cute is quite simply not a good enough word for these adorable creations! Congratulations to Mike! I hope you both have a very peaceful and blessed Christmas! xxx
Julie
December 22, 2009 at 3:02 pm (15 years ago)Thank you, Angela!! Happy Christmas to you!!
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella
December 22, 2009 at 6:00 am (15 years ago)Aww bravo Julie! They’re so cute and they look like they’re smiling. Love the last one with the graduation cap too! 😀
Julie
December 22, 2009 at 3:01 pm (15 years ago)Thank you, Lorraine! 🙂
Devona
December 22, 2009 at 7:34 am (15 years ago)Congratulations on the graduation. Your little snowmen are so adorable, I wouldn’t even want to eat them. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Julie
December 22, 2009 at 3:01 pm (15 years ago)Thank you, Devona! We had trouble eating my favorite little snowman!
chocolate shavings
December 22, 2009 at 10:16 am (15 years ago)Those are just too cute!
Julie
December 22, 2009 at 3:00 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, chocolate shavings!
Tammy
December 22, 2009 at 12:50 pm (15 years ago)They are adorable…..I can resist trying to make them :). How many days in advance can I make these little guys? How do you store them for freshness?
Julie
December 22, 2009 at 3:00 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Tammy! If the chocolate coating doesn’t crack, they’re sealed like candy and will keep just fine for a week. If it does, you may want to eat them within a few days. I store them sealed in the fridge — in fact, I keep them in the fridge between adding decorations as well, so they don’t decide to expand and crack! 🙂 HAVE FUN — hope they turn out beautifully!
"Aunt" Marsie
December 22, 2009 at 11:28 pm (15 years ago)Yeah Mike – we are SOOOOOOOO proud of him AND so happy he has a girlfirend that is so proud of him too!!!!
Julie – The snowmen are AWESOME!!
Love y’all!,
Marsie
Julie
December 22, 2009 at 11:29 pm (15 years ago)Thank you, Marsie! We love you too!
Patricia
December 23, 2009 at 7:38 am (15 years ago)Awwwwww, they’re so cute! Nothing shows love like homemade presents, and yours are just adorable. Congrats on the graduation, you two look so very proud!
Julie
December 23, 2009 at 11:33 am (15 years ago)Thank you, Patricia! 🙂
nithya praveen
December 23, 2009 at 12:17 pm (15 years ago)Awwww these are the cutest i have ever seen….looks awesomeeeeeeeeeeeee.I am in love with ur blog:)
Julie
December 23, 2009 at 12:20 pm (15 years ago)Aww, thanks Nithya!
Lauren
December 23, 2009 at 12:18 pm (15 years ago)Graduation – how exciting!! I love the looks of these snowmen Julie (and I know some others did too ;D).
Julie
December 23, 2009 at 12:21 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Lauren! 😀
Jill
December 26, 2009 at 7:57 pm (15 years ago)Those are the cutest snowmen ever!! I’m so glad they finally worked out–totally worth the time, I’d say! 🙂
Julie
December 28, 2009 at 1:44 am (15 years ago)Thanks, Jill!!
Sue
December 27, 2009 at 2:43 pm (15 years ago)These are SO CUTE!!! Love ’em! I especially love the graduate snowman, and congrats to the real deal!
Julie
December 28, 2009 at 1:44 am (15 years ago)Thanks, Sue!
Megan
December 27, 2009 at 9:34 pm (15 years ago)I love your snowmen! And I need to find some of the candy melts you mentioned. I tried to make one thing with a white chocolate glaze and it turned into a huge mess. I’m hesitant to try again!
Congratulations to Mike! The snowman with the graduation cap is so sweet!
Julie
December 27, 2009 at 9:41 pm (15 years ago)Thanks, Megan! I use a brand called CandiQuik that I can usually find at SuperTarget or Bloom. You can also use Wilton’s candy melts!
Michelle V.
January 9, 2010 at 3:25 am (15 years ago)LOL I actually attempted to make these for a Christmas Party on the 14th of December and here is my version. Not as cute as yours of course, but it was my first attempt and no one else had ever made these before. Now i can use some of your tips for next time. Thanks.
http://hollowtear.livejournal.com/120588.html#cutid1
http://hollowtear.livejournal.com/120936.html#cutid1
Julie
January 9, 2010 at 9:52 am (15 years ago)They’re adorable, Michelle!! And yummy I bet! Actually, after I posted these, I went searching around to see if anyone else had tried, and saw your link in response to Bakerella’s blog. Very cute!
Michelle V.
January 9, 2010 at 12:19 pm (15 years ago)Thanks! Now im looking for an excuse to make them again. 🙂
Maggie
December 20, 2010 at 1:39 am (14 years ago)Hey Julie! I made these and they are so adorable. I guilded the lily as my sister used to say. I added a bit of cinnamon and Irish Cream extract to the truffle mixture. So delicious! Mine aren’t as neat as yours but they were a big hit at work. I gave a few kids of co-workers one each and their mom’s said the kids thought they were “too cute to eat”. Thanks for the recipe and the idea! Brilliant!
I loved your article on The Kings Kitchen, I voted for you! I have enjoyed your entries all the way thru… thanks for all of it. =)
Merry Christmas!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
December 27, 2010 at 10:01 am (14 years ago)Thank you so much, Maggie!! I’m SO glad you loved the snowmen — yours sound amazing! YUM!
Najasa
December 28, 2010 at 8:12 am (14 years ago)hii it loooks hard for me to do i t;( but any way
>> gd job :>)
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
December 28, 2010 at 3:39 pm (14 years ago)I promise they’re relatively simple! Thanks, Najasa!
mary
January 21, 2012 at 11:44 pm (13 years ago)these are the cutest lil’ guys, will keep this in my file for next year, thanks much. happy new year
Jean
October 12, 2013 at 11:56 am (11 years ago)Hi .., you made an amazing SNOWMAN OREO..,It caught my attention ….I just want to ask a permission if I can post and tag this picture in my facebook page. I just started my business here in the Philippines. My facebook page is The Chocolate Biscuits Truffles.
Julie Ruble
October 12, 2013 at 1:17 pm (11 years ago)Sure Jean, feel free to use a photo with a link back to this page. Please do not publish to full recipe, however. Thanks!