Picture this: you’re hosting a holiday party, and your guests walk into your kitchen to find the most adorable Christmas treats they’ve ever seen. These aren’t just any ordinary cookies – they’re Christmas Ornament Oreos that look like they belong hanging on your tree! When I first made these delightful treats last December, I couldn’t believe how something so simple could create such a magical moment. The combination of creamy chocolate, festive colors, and that satisfying Oreo crunch makes these little beauties absolutely irresistible.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Super simple to make – No baking required, just dipping and decorating
- Perfect for holiday parties – These eye-catching treats are guaranteed conversation starters
- Customizable colors – Match your holiday theme with different colored melts
- Great make-ahead option – Prepare days in advance and store easily
- Kid-friendly activity – Fun project to do with little helpers during the holidays
Why You’ll Love These Festive Oreo Ornaments
Effortlessly elegant: Transform ordinary Oreos into stunning holiday centerpieces in under 30 minutes
Endless creativity: Mix and match colors, sprinkles, and decorative touches to match your personal style
Party perfect: These treats disappear faster than you can say “ho ho ho” – trust me, I’ve seen it happen!
Gift-worthy: Package them in clear bags with ribbons for the sweetest homemade holiday gifts
Ingredient Highlights & Notes
The beauty of Christmas Ornament Oreos lies in their simplicity. You’ll need just a handful of ingredients to create these show-stopping treats. The key is using high-quality chocolate melts – they give you that smooth, glossy finish that makes these ornaments look absolutely professional.
I always keep extra sprinkles on hand because, let’s be honest, decorating these is so much fun that you’ll want to make batch after batch! The metallic dragées add that special ornament-like shimmer that really sells the illusion.
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 24 regular Oreo cookies
- 12 oz white chocolate melting wafers (Ghirardelli or Wilton work beautifully)
- 6 oz red chocolate melting wafers
- 6 oz green chocolate melting wafers
- 2 tbsp coconut oil (helps create smooth, glossy coating)
For Decoration:
- Silver dragées (edible pearl balls)
- Gold dragées
- Red sanding sugar
- Green sanding sugar
- White nonpareils
- Edible glitter (optional but magical!)
- 24 small pretzel sticks (for ornament “caps”)
For Assembly:
- 2 oz additional white chocolate (for “gluing” pretzel caps)
Equipment & Tools
- 2 microwave-safe bowls
- Small spoon for stirring
- Fork for dipping
- Parchment paper-lined baking sheets
- Small offset spatula (optional but helpful)
- Toothpicks (for detail work)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Your Workspace (5 minutes)
Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Trust me on this – cleanup will be a breeze! Arrange all your decorative toppings in small bowls so everything’s within easy reach.
2. Melt the Chocolate (3-4 minutes)
In separate microwave-safe bowls, melt your colored chocolate wafers in 30-second intervals, stirring between each round. Add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to each bowl and stir until silky smooth. The coconut oil creates that gorgeous glossy finish that makes these look store-bought!
3. Dip the Oreos (10 minutes)
Here’s where the magic happens! Using a fork, gently dip each Oreo into your chosen chocolate color, letting excess drip off. I like to tap the fork gently on the bowl’s edge – this prevents those little chocolate “feet” from forming on your ornaments.
4. Add the Sparkle (5 minutes)
While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle on your decorations. Don’t be shy – these are ornaments, so they should sparkle! I love creating patterns with the dragées or making stripes with different colored sugars.
5. Create the Ornament Caps (8 minutes)
Break pretzel sticks in half and dip one end in melted white chocolate. Gently press into the top of each Oreo to create that classic ornament cap look. Let me tell you, this little detail takes these treats from cute to absolutely stunning!
6. Set and Chill (15 minutes)
Place your decorated ornaments in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set completely. The chocolate will develop a beautiful snap when you bite into it.
Tips, Variations & Substitutions
Color Variations:
- Try blue and silver for a winter wonderland theme
- Go all gold for an elegant, sophisticated look
- Mix in purple for a unique twist on traditional colors
Dietary Swaps:
- Use dairy-free chocolate melts for lactose-sensitive guests
- Substitute gluten-free sandwich cookies for those avoiding gluten
- Skip the dragées if you prefer all-edible decorations
Pro Tips:
- Work quickly – chocolate sets fast, so have decorations ready before dipping
- Reheat chocolate as needed in 15-second bursts to maintain smooth consistency
- Double-dip for extra thick coating if you want more chocolate flavor
Troubleshooting:
If your chocolate becomes too thick, add a tiny bit more coconut oil. If decorations won’t stick, your chocolate may have cooled too much – just re-dip lightly!
Serving Suggestions
These Christmas Ornament Oreos are absolutely perfect for:
🎄 Holiday cookie exchanges – they’ll be the star of the table
🍪 Dessert platters alongside Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Cookies and Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
🎁 Gift boxes paired with Christmas Peppermints
☕ Coffee and cocoa stations – they’re divine dunked in hot chocolate
I love arranging them on tiered serving stands with some Festive Christmas Cranberry Roll Ups for a complete holiday spread that’ll have your guests taking photos before they take bites!
Storage, Make-Ahead & Reheating
Room Temperature Storage:
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Refrigerator Storage:
Keep chilled for up to 2 weeks – perfect for making ahead for parties!
Freezer Storage:
These freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Make-Ahead Tips:
- Prepare these up to 5 days in advance
- Store decorated ornaments in single layers
- Add final glitter touches just before serving for maximum sparkle
Nutrition Information
Per ornament (approximate):
- Calories: 145
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 2g
- Sugar: 16g
Note: These are treats to be enjoyed in moderation during the holidays!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of melting wafers?
A: While you can, melting wafers give you that smooth, professional finish. If using chocolate chips, add a tablespoon of coconut oil to help with consistency.
Q: How far ahead can I make these?
A: Up to 5 days! They actually taste better after a day because the flavors meld together beautifully.
Q: My chocolate is too thick to dip smoothly. What went wrong?
A: Add coconut oil one teaspoon at a time until you reach the perfect dipping consistency. Sometimes chocolate can seize if it gets too hot.
Q: Can kids help make these?
A: Absolutely! Kids love decorating these. Just handle the hot chocolate melting yourself, then let them go wild with the sprinkles and dragées.
Q: What if I can’t find dragées?
A: No worries! Use mini chocolate chips, small candies, or even crushed peppermints for decoration.
Q: Do these need to be refrigerated?
A: Not necessarily, but chilling helps them set faster and gives the chocolate a nice snap. They’re fine at room temperature for serving.
Conclusion on Christmas Ornament Oreos
When I think about holiday baking, these Christmas Ornament Oreos represent everything I love about the season – they’re beautiful, delicious, and bring people together. There’s something magical about watching someone’s face light up when they see these adorable treats for the first time.
Whether you’re adding them to your holiday cookie collection or giving them as gifts, these ornament Oreos are guaranteed to spread joy and sweetness wherever they go. The best part? You’ll have just as much fun making them as your family and friends will have eating them!