Mini Monets and Mommies: St. Patrick's Day Mint Chocolate Cookie Balls

Mint cream Oreos? These are beginning to be made into St. Patrick’s Day cookie truffles. I’m a mega-fan of the cookie ball. Yes, I am well aware that cookies are good enough on their own. A friend of mine pointed out on Facebook one day that she didn’t get why people keep making cookies into cookie balls. Here’s my answer: Because I can’t bake!

Ok, so I technically can bake. I can read a recipe, follow it and take what might in some way resemble cookies out of the oven. That said, my son always cringes and not-so-politely declines my baked goods. So, when I can no-bake a holiday treat I do.

Even though I can’t cook my way onto the PTA’s bake sale scene, I do like putting together various concoctions that make up themed sweets. Not only are these cookie balls St. Patrick’s Day green, but they are also packed with minty goodness. Imagine a shamrock shake condensed into a small sphere and you’ve got a picture of the taste.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

· Cool Mint Oreos

· Chocolate mint candies

· 6 oz. cream cheese, softened

· Green sprinkles or crystal sugar

· Optional green frosting

Here’s What to Do:

1. Crush the cookies in a food processor. Blend them until they are the consistency of sand.

2. Mix the cream cheese with the cookies in a large bowl.

3. Form the mix into balls.

4. Place the balls on a wax paper-covered plate. Pop them into the freezer for an hour.

5. Melt the chocolate. I tend to take the easy route and do the melting in the microwave. Break the chocolate into pieces, put them into a microwave-safe bowl and heat them for about a minute. Microwaves vary in strength. Yours may take a longer or shorter time. Keep an eye on the chocolate to make sure that it doesn’t burn. The bowl will be very hot when you take it out.