Save The kitchen was chaotic that December afternoon. My nephew had declared he wanted snowmen for his birthday party in July, and I was frantically trying to figure out how to make that happen. These Oreo Snowman Cake Pops were born from desperation and became the absolute hit of the summer.
I remember standing there with chocolate smeared across my cheek, realizing these goofy little snowmen had brought more joy than any elaborate bakery cake ever could. The kids went wild for them.
Ingredients
- 36 Oreo cookies: One standard package gives you exactly what you need. Do not use double stuffed or the dough will be too soft to hold its shape properly.
- 180 g (6 oz) cream cheese: Must be completely softened to room temperature. I learned the hard way that cold cream cheese creates lumps that will not mix smoothly.
- 350 g (12 oz) white chocolate or candy melts: Candy melts are easier for beginners since they set faster and do not seize like real chocolate can.
- Mini chocolate chips: These work perfectly for eyes and buttons because they are proportional to the small scale of cake pops.
- Orange sprinkle or colored icing: Any orange detail works for the carrot nose. I have used everything from sprinkles to starlight mints with success.
- Pretzel sticks: Break these into smaller pieces for twig arms. The salt contrasts nicely with all that sweetness.
- Lollipop sticks: Dip the very tip of each stick in melted chocolate before inserting. This acts as glue so the snowman head does not slide down later.
Instructions
- Crush the cookies:
- Pulse the Oreos in a food processor until you have fine black crumbs with no visible cookie chunks remaining. The texture should resemble wet sand.
- Make the dough:
- Mix the crushed cookies with softened cream cheese until completely combined. The mixture should hold together when squeezed but not feel sticky or greasy.
- Shape the snowmen:
- Roll 32 small balls for heads and 16 larger balls for bodies. Stack them gently and press to seal the connection point firmly.
- Add sticks and chill:
- Insert lollipop sticks through the center and freeze for at least 20 minutes. They must be firm or the chocolate coating will slide right off.
- Melt the coating:
- Melt white chocolate in 30 second bursts, stirring between each interval. Stop when just a few lumps remain and stir to finish melting.
- Coat the snowmen:
- Dip each frozen pop straight down and pull up slowly. Tap the stick against the bowl edge to remove excess chocolate.
- Add faces quickly:
- Place eyes and buttons while the coating is still tacky so they adhere without extra glue. Work fast because chocolate sets quickly.
- Final details:
- Add pretzel arms and any fondant accessories once the base coat is fully set. These stay put better when added last.
Save Now I make them every winter for holiday parties. They have become something of a legend among my friends and family.
Working With Candy Melts
Real white chocolate tastes better but candy melts give you that gorgeous opaque finish. If you use real white chocolate, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to thin it for dipping.
Making Faces Ahead
You can pipe the faces onto parchment paper and let them set. Then just press the pre made features onto the cake pops after dipping. This saves so much time.
Storage And Transport
Layer them between wax paper in an airtight container. They keep perfectly in the fridge for five days but bring to room temperature before serving.
- Never stack them directly or the faces will stick together
- Freeze undecorated pops for up to a month and decorate later
- Stand them up in a tall glass wrapped in foil for easy transport
Save Hope these little snowmen bring as much joy to your table as they have to mine.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I substitute cream cheese with another ingredient?
Cream cheese helps bind the crushed cookies into a smooth dough. Alternatives like mascarpone or softened butter might work but will alter texture and taste.
- → How do I prevent white chocolate from melting during decoration?
Ensure the pops are fully chilled and the chocolate cools slightly before dipping. Work quickly and set them upright immediately for a smooth finish.
- → What can I use if I don’t have a food processor to crush the Oreos?
Place cookies in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin or heavy object until finely ground.
- → How long should these treats be refrigerated after assembly?
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to ensure the dough firms up for easier handling and coating.
- → Are there alternatives for decorating the snowmen’s eyes and buttons?
Mini chocolate chips or edible decorating gels both work well for creating small details on the snowmen.
- → Can these be made ahead of time for parties?
Yes, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days without losing freshness or shape.