1 package (14.3 ounces) chocolate sandwich cookies
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
16 ounces white chocolate melting wafers or almond bark
1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
24 small chocolate peanut butter cups or miniature caramel cups
24 small pretzel loops or curved pretzel pieces
Red, green, and gold sprinkles for decorating
1 tablespoon coconut oil, optional for thinning chocolate
Instructions
Place the chocolate sandwich cookies into a food processor and pulse until they are turned into fine crumbs. You want to make sure there are no large chunks left so the ornaments have a smooth texture. If you do not have a food processor, place the cookies in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cookie crumbs with the softened cream cheese and the alcohol-free vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy spatula to blend them together until a uniform, dark dough forms. The mixture should be thick and hold its shape when pressed together.
Scoop out about one tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll it between your palms to form a smooth ball, approximately one inch in diameter. Place each ball onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat this process until all the dough has been used.
Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 20 minutes. Chilling the balls is a crucial step because it helps them hold their shape and prevents them from melting when you dip them into the warm chocolate coating later.
While the cookie balls are chilling, melt the white chocolate wafers in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second intervals. Stir well between each interval until the chocolate is completely smooth. If the chocolate is too thick, stir in a teaspoon of coconut oil to thin it out to a dipping consistency.
Using a fork or a dipping tool, submerge each chilled cookie ball into the melted chocolate. Lift it out and let the excess chocolate drip off before placing it back on the parchment paper. Immediately place a small chocolate cup on top to act as the ornament cap and gently press a pretzel loop into the cup to serve as the hanger. Add your favorite holiday sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
