Save My daughter pressed her nose against the kitchen window that first December snow, and I promised her something special that afternoon. We'd make edible snowmen together, I said, the kind you could actually eat. She helped me crush those Oreos—honestly, she mostly just wanted to hit things with a rolling pin—and watching her eyes light up when those little balls started looking like actual snowmen was worth every crumb on the floor.
The funny part came when my sister visited and spotted these on the counter. She grabbed one without asking, took a huge bite, and genuinely gasped because she'd expected it to taste like regular frosting. That Oreo-cream cheese flavor hits different when you're not expecting it, and suddenly everyone wanted one before we'd even set them out for the party.
Ingredients
- 36 Oreo cookies (about 1 standard package): The foundation of everything—use the regular kind, not the fancy flavored ones, since you want that classic cookie taste to shine through.
- 180 g (6 oz) cream cheese, softened: This is what holds it all together and makes the filling creamy instead of gritty; get it soft at room temperature so mixing is effortless.
- 350 g (12 oz) white chocolate or candy melts: Candy melts melt more smoothly than real chocolate, so grab those if you can find them.
- Mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel: For eyes and buttons; I prefer the gel because chips can slide off before the coating sets.
- Orange sprinkles or colored icing: A tiny dab becomes the perfect carrot nose.
- Pretzel sticks or colored fondant: Pretzel sticks snap easily for arms, or roll fondant thin and cut into scarves if you want something fancier.
- Lollipop sticks: These are your handles and what holds everything together.
Instructions
- Crush the cookies into crumbs:
- Pulse those Oreos in a food processor until you've got fine crumbs—you want texture like wet sand, not powder. If you don't have a processor, a rolling pin and a sealed bag works surprisingly well.
- Mix until you have a dough:
- Combine the crushed Oreos with softened cream cheese and mix with your hands or a spoon until it's smooth and holds together. It'll feel a bit like cookie dough, which is exactly what you want.
- Shape your snowman bodies:
- Roll 32 smaller balls (about the size of a walnut) and 16 larger balls (about the size of a golf ball). This gives you two sizes for that classic snowman look.
- Stack and insert the stick:
- Place one small ball on top of each large ball, pressing gently to stick them together. Push a lollipop stick through the center of both balls so it goes straight through the whole thing. Set them on parchment paper on a baking sheet.
- Chill until firm:
- Freeze for 20–30 minutes; the coating will go on so much smoother if these are really cold.
- Melt the white chocolate:
- Heat it in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each one, until it's completely smooth. If it starts to look grainy, you've overheated it, so go low and slow.
- Dip and coat:
- Dip each frozen snowman into the melted chocolate, twisting gently to coat all sides. Let the excess drip off, then stand it upright in a styrofoam block or a tall cup to set completely.
- Decorate while tacky:
- While the coating is still slightly sticky, add mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons. If you wait until it's completely hard, they won't stick.
- Add the personality:
- Once everything's set, poke in pretzel sticks for arms or wrap a thin strip of fondant around the middle as a scarf. These little touches make each snowman feel unique.
Save My nephew bit the head off his snowman before we even got them plated for the party, and honestly, I wasn't even mad. He looked so happy that I made a second batch just so there'd be extras. That's when I realized these weren't just a dessert—they were a reason for people to slow down and smile.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your snowmen are too soft to hold their shape, your cream cheese was too warm or your Oreo-to-cheese ratio was off; next time, measure carefully and chill longer. If the chocolate coating cracks or looks streaky, the snowmen were either too warm when dipped or the chocolate itself was too hot. If decorations slide off, you waited too long after dipping to add them; that window is tight, usually just a minute or two.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
These actually get better after a day or two in the fridge because the flavors settle and the texture becomes a bit creamier inside. You can make the dough balls and freeze them for up to two weeks before dipping, which saves you a ton of time on party day. Just let them thaw in the fridge for a few minutes before the chocolate bath.
Decoration Ideas and Variations
The beauty of these is that every snowman can look totally different depending on what you've got on hand. Colored fondant scarves in red, green, or blue look stunning, and if you're really feeling fancy, you can use edible markers to draw smiles or add hats made from crushed cookies mixed with more chocolate. Even the simplest version with just chocolate eyes and an orange nose is absolutely charming, and sometimes simple is exactly what wins the room.
- Use crushed candy canes mixed into the white chocolate for a peppermint twist.
- Add a tiny fondant hat or beret perched on top for extra personality.
- Drizzle lines of dark chocolate down the sides to look like a scarf if you can't find fondant.
Save These cake pops are proof that the best recipes aren't always about being complicated—they're about creating moments. Whether you're making them with a kid, bringing them to a party, or just surprising someone on a cold December afternoon, they're edible happiness.
Recipe FAQs
- → What is the best way to crush Oreos for the dough?
Use a food processor for quick, even crushing. Alternatively, place Oreos in a sealed bag and crush with a rolling pin for a coarse texture.
- → How can I ensure the dough sticks together well?
Mix Oreos thoroughly with softened cream cheese until a smooth, uniform dough forms, ensuring proper adhesion when shaping.
- → What helps the coating to set properly?
After dipping in melted white chocolate, place the pops upright in a styrofoam block or a tall glass to allow even cooling and firm setting.
- → How do I decorate the snowmen faces and details?
Use mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel for eyes and buttons, orange icing or sprinkles for noses, and pretzel sticks or fondant for arms and scarves.
- → Can these treats be stored for later?
Yes, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days to maintain freshness and shape.