Save The first time I made these, I was running late for a friend's birthday and needed something impressive but quick. My kitchen counter ended up covered in pink chocolate splatters, but when I bit into that first chilled truffle, I knew I'd stumbled onto something magical.
My daughter helped me make these for her classroom Valentine's party, and she insisted we make them extra pink with more sprinkles than necessary. The teacher asked for the recipe, which I consider the ultimate win.
Ingredients
- Oreo cookies: The filling is essential here, so don't scrape it out unless you absolutely have to
- Cream cheese: Make sure it's truly room temperature or you'll fight lumps that just won't blend
- Pink candy melts: White candy melts work beautifully with oil-based pink coloring if you can't find pink ones
- Vegetable shortening: This tiny addition makes the coating smooth and professional-looking
Instructions
- Crush those cookies:
- Pulse the Oreos in a food processor until you have fine, uniform crumbs. No processor? Put them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin until no large pieces remain.
- Make the dough:
- Mix the crumbs with softened cream cheese until completely combined. The mixture should hold together when squeezed and look uniformly dark without any white streaks.
- Roll into balls:
- Scoop tablespoon portions and roll between your palms until smooth. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, repeat until all mixture is used.
- Chill thoroughly:
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes or freeze for 15 minutes. They need to be firm to the touch or they'll fall apart in the melted candy.
- Melt the coating:
- Melt candy melts in 30-second intervals at medium power, stirring between each. Add shortening if you want a thinner, shinier coating that sets beautifully smooth.
- Dip and decorate:
- Use a fork to dip each chilled ball, tap off excess, and return to parchment. Add sprinkles immediately while the coating is still wet, or they won't stick.
- Set completely:
- Let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes until the coating is hard. You can refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes if you're impatient like me.
Save These became my go-to hostess gift after I brought them to a dinner party and the host actually packed up half the plate to hide for herself the next day.
Getting the Perfect Coating
I learned through many messy attempts that the temperature of both the candy coating and the truffle balls matters enormously. If the coating is too hot, it slides right off. If the truffles aren't cold enough, they start melting immediately upon contact. Finding that sweet spot takes one failed batch to understand, but once you do, every truffle comes out looking like it came from a chocolate shop.
Making Them Ahead
The best part about these truffles is that they actually improve after a day in the refrigerator. The flavors meld together beautifully, and the texture becomes even more fudge-like and satisfying. I've made them up to three days in advance for parties, stored in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper, and they've been perfect every single time.
Customizing for Any Occasion
While the classic pink version is darling for Valentine's Day or baby showers, I've made these in every color of the rainbow for different celebrations. Red and green for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, pastels for Easter baby showers, and even team colors for sports parties. The basic recipe remains the same, but the visual impact changes completely.
- Use oil-based coloring only, water-based will seize your candy melts
- Keep some extra melted coating handy for touch-ups if any spots look thin
- Work quickly once you start dipping, as the coating thickens as it cools
Save These pink Oreo truffles are the kind of treat that makes people's eyes light up before they even take a bite.
Recipe FAQ
- → Can I use different colors for the coating?
Absolutely! The candy melt color can be customized to suit any occasion or preference. White candy melts can also be tinted with oil-based food coloring to achieve a specific hue, if a pre-colored melt isn't available.
- → How long do these confections last and how should they be stored?
These treats should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For best enjoyment, it's recommended to serve them chilled, as this helps maintain their firm texture.
- → What if I don't have a food processor to crush the cookies?
No problem! You can easily crush the Oreo cookies by placing them in a sealed zip-top bag and using a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan to break them down into fine crumbs. Ensure there are no large chunks for a smooth truffle base.
- → Can I add extra ingredients to the truffle mixture?
Yes, you can! For added texture or flavor, consider stirring in finely chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or even a hint of extract like peppermint or almond into the cream cheese and cookie crumb mixture before rolling. Just be mindful of the consistency.
- → How can I achieve a perfectly smooth and shiny candy coating?
To ensure a smooth coating, melt your candy melts gently in short intervals, stirring frequently. Adding a teaspoon of vegetable shortening to the melted candy can also help achieve a thinner, glossier consistency that coats the truffles more evenly and sets with a beautiful shine.