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Circus Animal Cookie Balls Recipe

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3.9 from 43 reviews

  • Author: Amina
  • Total Time: 1 hour 24 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings

Description

Circus Animal Cookie Balls are a delightful no-bake treat combining crushed frosted animal cookies with creamy softened cream cheese, coated in vibrant hot pink candy melts and white almond bark, then topped with colorful rainbow nonpareil sprinkles. These bite-sized dessert balls offer a fun, colorful twist on classic circus animal cookies, perfect for parties or festive occasions.

Ingredients

Cookie Balls

  • 9 ounce package frosted circus animal cookies (e.g., Mother’s brand)
  • 6 ounces cream cheese, softened

Coating

  • 6 ounces hot pink candy melts
  • 6 ounces white almond bark
  • Rainbow nonpareil sprinkles (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Crush the Cookies: Using a food processor, pulse the frosted animal cookies until broken into small pieces, then process on low speed until finely crushed. If you don’t have a food processor, crush cookies manually or place them in a sealed bag and use a rolling pin.
  2. Combine with Cream Cheese: Add sliced softened cream cheese to the food processor with the crushed cookies and pulse until completely combined into a dough. Alternatively, mix cookie crumbs and cream cheese in a bowl with a handheld mixer until smooth and well combined.
  3. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  4. Scoop Dough: Use a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Shape Balls: Roll each scoop of dough into a smooth ball with your hands and place back on the baking sheet. Repeat for all dough scoops.
  6. Chill: Refrigerate the cookie balls for 30 minutes to allow them to firm up.
  7. Melt Coatings: In separate microwave-safe bowls, melt the hot pink candy melts and white almond bark in 30-second increments, stirring until smooth.
  8. Dip in Pink Coating: Remove chilled cookie balls from the refrigerator. Using a fork, dip half of the cookie balls into the melted hot pink candy melts, tapping off excess coating. Place back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
  9. Add Sprinkles: While pink coating is still wet, sprinkle rainbow nonpareils over the coated cookie balls for decoration.
  10. Dip in White Coating: Repeat the dipping process with the remaining cookie balls in the melted white almond bark and add sprinkles immediately after coating.
  11. Final Chill: Refrigerate the coated cookie balls for 30 minutes or until the coating is firm. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Notes

  • This recipe requires time for chilling between steps, so plan accordingly.
  • If you do not have candy melts or almond bark, you can substitute with white chocolate chips and pink tinted melting chocolate, respectively.
  • Store cookie balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese with a vegan alternative and use dairy-free candy coatings.
  • Ensure cream cheese is fully softened for easier mixing and smoother texture.
  • Use a fork to dip the balls to avoid fingerprints or melting from warm hands.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://aminabakes.com/circus-animal-cookie-balls-recipe/