How to Make Penguin and Polar Bear OREO Cookie Balls

Bring on the Holiday Season with these adorable, irresistible and easy to make penguin and polar bear OREO cookie balls

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Have you started with your Christmas cookie baking yet?

If not, here is something festive, eye-catching and sinfully delicious. Something that will make you want to run to the store to buy OREO cookies and the few other ingredients, and rush to your kitchen to whip these out!
And I promise, it will instantly get you in the holiday spirit.

Let's be honest, holidays are meant for baking. There's nothing like huddling up in the kitchen with your kids or friends surrounded by cookie crumbs, melted chocolate, and lots of candies, and bake something delicious. 

Oh wait! Did I just say "bake"?!? Sorry, but NO baking is needed for today's recipe, just some blending, melting, decorating, ... and lots of tasting of course :)

The basic OREO cookies balls are laughably easy to whip up, I'm sure you've tried them before. All you need is one box of regular OREO cookies, some cream cheese and melting chocolate. 
I got the cookies here at my local Walmart. As you can see there are so many delicious varieties to choose from ... which also means lots of dessert possibilities! Make sure to check here for the OREO Cookie Ball Countdown to Christmas, with many recipes inspiration. Also, next time you are at Walmart look for a special savings offer on Family Size OREO products. 

For this recipe all you have to do is crush the cookies, mix in the cream cheese (preferable at room temperature), roll the mixture into balls, freeze or refrigerate, and dip into melted chocolate. As simple as that!
If you are feeling crafty and you are into the holiday spirit like I am, find your favorite candies, be creative and make the best penguin or bear you can figure out.
Which one is your favorite - the cute chocolaty penguin or the coconutty polar bear?!? You can't really go wrong with neither, but this guy here might be my fave. Look at these eyes!

And here is a video recipe for you. 

Ready to try it out now?!?

INGREDIENTS:

YIELD: about 24 cookie balls

1. • 1 pkg. (8 oz.) brick cream cheese, softened  
   • 36 OREO Cookies, finely crushed about 3 cups
   • 10 oz. (265 gr) of white melting chocolate, melted
   • 4 oz. (115 gr) of semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted
   • about 24 pairs of edible eyes
   • orange and brown small round candies, cut in half 
   • 1/2 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut

PREPARATION:

TIME: about 60 minutes

Remove the cream cheese from the refrigerator to soften (about 30 minutes before you start with the recipe).
Finely crush the OREO cookies in a food processor.

In a bowl, mix the cream cheese with the cookie crumbs until blended.

Shape into balls (about 1 tablespoon each).

Freeze for 10 minutes.

To make the penguin:
Melt the white chocolate, and dip the ball completely.

 Place in a single layer in a shallow pan, lined with wax or parchment paper. Let the chocolate set.
Melt the dark chocolate, and dip two sides of the balls like in the picture (leave a triangular white part in the middle). Let it set.

Cut the orange candies in half with a sharp knife.
Spoon some of the melted white chocolate in a small plastic bag. Cut a tiny corner of the bag.
Use a tiny bit of white chocolate to attach the candies (eyes, beak and feet).  Let them set.

To make the polar bear:
Melt the white chocolate, dip the ball, and roll in shredded coconut.

Attache the eyes, nose and ears with a tiny bit of melted white chocolate. Let them set.

 Happy Holidays!