The Ultimate Grinchy Christmas Cake Bites (No-Bake Holiday Treat!)
Imagine a mischievous, Grinch-green truffle, coated in a sweet white chocolate shell, drizzled with more green chocolate, and finished with a single, perfect red heart sprinkle. Now, imagine biting into it to discover a rich, chewy, red velvet cookie and cream cheese center. That, my friends, is the whimsical, delicious magic of these Grinchy Christmas…
Imagine a mischievous, Grinch-green truffle, coated in a sweet white chocolate shell, drizzled with more green chocolate, and finished with a single, perfect red heart sprinkle. Now, imagine biting into it to discover a rich, chewy, red velvet cookie and cream cheese center. That, my friends, is the whimsical, delicious magic of these Grinchy Christmas Cake Bites. This is, without a doubt, the most fun and festive no-bake treat you will make all season.
I promise you, there is no greater joy than seeing the delighted faces of kids and adults alike when they see these little Grinch-inspired creations. The rich, tangy, and chewy red velvet center is the perfect surprise inside the sweet, crunchy white chocolate shell. They are a true conversation starter and the star of any holiday cookie platter.
Get ready to have your heart grow three sizes as you create these adorable, no-bake holiday treats, a recipe that is as fun to make as it is to share.
Why Your Heart Will Grow Three Sizes for These Bites
You are going to be completely charmed by this fun and festive recipe. It’s the perfect project for a cozy holiday afternoon. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- A Fun, Whimsical Holiday Theme: Inspired by the Grinch, these green bites with a tiny red heart are instantly recognizable and bring a playful spirit to any Christmas party.
- Completely No-Bake and Super Easy: Using store-bought cookies means you never have to turn on your oven! It’s a simple process of crushing, mixing, rolling, and dipping.
- Delicious Red Velvet “Cake” Center: The combination of chewy red velvet cookies and cream cheese creates an incredibly moist, tangy, and flavorful cake-like center.
- Perfect for Gifting and Parties: These little bites are sturdy, easy to transport, and look absolutely adorable packaged in a festive box or arranged on a platter.
- A Fantastic Project to Make with Kids: From rolling the balls to placing the final heart sprinkle, this is a wonderful and memorable holiday activity for the whole family.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 30 minutes |
| Chill Time | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Total Time | 3 hours |
| Servings | 36 bites |
| Calories | 288 kcal per bite (estimated from total) |
| Course | Dessert, Snack |
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / No-Bake |
Your Shopping List for Whoville
This clever recipe uses a handful of store-bought shortcuts to create its magic.
→ For the Grinch Cake Bites
- 3 (9.6-oz.) pkg. Chips Ahoy Chewy Red Velvet cookies → The secret shortcut to our rich, red velvet “cake” filling!
- 1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese → Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free mixture.
- 3 (12-oz.) pkg. white chocolate chips → Divided for the coating and the drizzle. Use good quality chips for the best melting.
- Green food coloring gel → Gel coloring provides the most vibrant, intense Grinchy green without thinning the chocolate.
- Red heart sprinkles → The most important part! To make the Grinch’s heart grow.
Let’s Get Grinchy! Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to steal Christmas with the cutest treats? Let’s get rolling.
Part 1: The Red Velvet “Cake” Filling
- Prep Your Pan: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top.
- Make Cookie Crumbs: Place all the red velvet cookies into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until they form fine, uniform crumbs.
- Mix the “Dough”: In the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature cream cheese on medium-high speed until it’s perfectly smooth. Add the cookie crumbs and beat on low speed until everything is well combined and forms a thick, dough-like mixture.
- Roll and Chill: Using a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon for consistency, scoop out the dough and roll it between your palms into smooth balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Arrange the balls on the prepared wire rack. Refrigerate them until they are cold and firm, about 2 hours.
Part 2: The Grinch-Green Chocolate Coating
- Melt the Chocolate: Set up a double boiler by placing a medium heatproof bowl over a pot of barely simmering water (don’t let the bowl touch the water). Reserve one package of white chocolate chips. Add the other two packages to the bowl and stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Color the Chocolate: Add one drop of green food coloring gel and stir well. Add more coloring, one drop at a time, until you reach your desired vibrant Grinch-green color.
- Dip the Balls: Using a fork, dip one cold cake ball into the green chocolate. Turn to coat it completely, then lift it out and gently tap the fork on the side of the bowl to let the excess chocolate drip off.
- Chill to Set: Carefully slide the coated ball back onto the wire rack. Repeat with all the remaining balls. Refrigerate the coated bites for 30 minutes, until the chocolate shell is completely set and hard.
Part 3: The Final Festive Drizzle
- Melt More Chocolate: Wipe out your double boiler bowl and melt the final package of white chocolate chips until smooth. Remove from heat.
- Color the Drizzle: Tint this batch of chocolate with green food coloring as well. If the chocolate is too thick for drizzling, you can stir in hot water from the pot, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring vigorously until it reaches a smooth, drizzling consistency.
- Drizzle and Decorate: Transfer the drizzle-consistency chocolate to a piping bag or a small plastic zip-top bag. Snip a tiny corner off the bag. Drizzle the chocolate back and forth over the set cake balls to create stripes.
- Add the Heart!: Before the drizzle has a chance to set, carefully place one red heart sprinkle on each Grinch bite. Let them set completely, and then they’re ready to steal the show!
No-Bake Grinchy Christmas Cake Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place a wire rack in a parchment-lined baking sheet. In a food processor, pulse cookies until fine crumbs form.
- In a stand mixer, beat room temperature cream cheese until smooth. Add the cookie crumbs and beat until well combined.
- Using a 1-Tbsp. measuring spoon, scoop and roll the mixture into balls. Arrange on the prepared rack and refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.
- Using a double boiler, melt 2 packages of the white chocolate chips until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in green food coloring until the desired color is reached.
- Using a fork, dip each cold ball into the green chocolate, letting the excess drip off. Return to the wire rack. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until the coating is set.
- In the clean double boiler, melt the remaining package of white chocolate chips. Tint it with green food coloring. Thin with hot water if needed to reach a drizzling consistency.
- Transfer the drizzle chocolate to a piping bag or zip-top bag. Snip the end and drizzle stripes over the set balls.
- Before the drizzle sets, top each ball with one red heart sprinkle. Let set completely before serving.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Cake Bites
These simple secrets will ensure your Grinchy treats are a huge success.
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese is Essential. For a smooth, perfectly combined filling with no lumps, your cream cheese must be fully softened before you start mixing.
- Chill, Chill, Chill! The chilling steps are non-negotiable. The cake balls must be cold and firm before dipping. This helps them hold their shape and prevents them from falling apart in the warm chocolate.
- The Fork Trick for Dipping. The best way to dip cake balls is to use a regular dinner fork. Place the ball on the tines, dip it, and then tap the fork handle on the edge of the bowl. The excess chocolate will drip neatly through the tines.
- Use Gel Food Coloring. Liquid food coloring can cause your chocolate to “seize” or become thick and grainy. Gel-based coloring is concentrated and won’t mess with the texture of your melted chocolate.
- Don’t Let Water Touch Your Chocolate. When using a double boiler, be very careful that no steam or water droplets get into your melting chocolate, as this will cause it to seize up instantly.
Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Grinchy Bites
These treats are perfect for making ahead of your holiday festivities.
- Refrigerator: Because of the cream cheese filling, these cake bites must be stored in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container in a single layer (or separated by parchment paper) for up to one week.
- Serving: They are delicious straight from the fridge, but you can also let them sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly.
FAQs: Your Grinchy Bite Questions, Answered!
Can I make these with a different kind of cookie?
Absolutely! This recipe is a fantastic formula. You could use regular Oreos for a classic cookies-and-cream center, or even try it with Golden Oreos or Nutter Butters for a different flavor profile.
My chocolate is too thick for dipping! How can I fix it?
If your melted white chocolate is too thick, you can stir in a very small amount (start with ½ teaspoon) of a neutral-flavored oil like coconut oil or vegetable shortening. This will help to thin it out to a better dipping consistency. Do not add water or milk.
Can I make these without a food processor?
Yes, you can. Place the cookies in a large, sturdy zip-top bag, seal it, and use a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan to crush them into fine crumbs. It’s a great way to get out some holiday stress!
Where can I find red heart sprinkles?
Red heart-shaped sprinkles (quin) are most commonly found around Valentine’s Day, but many craft stores and grocery stores carry them in their baking aisles year-round, especially in multi-packs of assorted sprinkle shapes.
Final Thoughts: The Cutest Treat of the Season
There is nothing more fun than a holiday treat that tells a story. These Grinchy Christmas Cake Bites are more than just a sweet treat; they are a conversation starter and a guaranteed way to bring a smile to everyone’s face. I hope this recipe adds a touch of playful, whimsical fun to your holiday celebrations. Happy Holidays!
