Circus Animal Cookie Balls
Want to feel a little nostalgic with a bit of a twist? Then you need to make these colorful four ingredient Circus Animal Cookie Balls! Easy, tasty and super fun!
A NO-BAKE SWEET TREAT
Circus Animal cookies are a memorable part of my childhood. To this day, they still remain one of my favorite cookies. These Circus Animal Cookie Balls are super easy to prepare and make. No baking required! Plus, you can get your chocolate and cookie fix all-in-one. If you are looking for a colorful party treat or a fun gift or you just want to treat yourself, then this Circus Animal Cookie Ball recipe is just what you need.
TIPS FOR MAKING CIRCUS ANIMAL COOKIE BALLS:
- I use candy melts for these. The color is already added. When adding food coloring to melted chocolate, it can make the chocolate seize.
- Colored candy melts can usually be found with the other specialty baking items in your grocery store. Also, I can usually find them at Michael’s craft store for pretty cheap.
- You can top with any sprinkles you like, I prefer the rainbow nonpareils.
- These need to be stored in the refrigerator as they contain cream cheese.
- You can absolutely double the recipe for larger parties or to have some for later (because you will want more!)
- You can use one color if you like. I like to have the white and pink to match the cookies themselves.
- Make sure you chill your cookie balls before dipping.
- If you don’t have a food processor you can place cookies in ziptop bag and crush with rolling pin until a fine powder forms, place in bowl and stir in softened cream cheese.
- If you like this recipe, you should definitely check out my CIRCUS ANIMAL RICE KRISPIES TREATS recipe!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- circus animal cookies
- cream cheese
- pink candy melts
- white candy melts
- sprinkles
HOW TO MAKE CIRCUS ANIMAL COOKIE BALLS:
Using a food processor, add the entire package of cookies, pulsing until it is a fine powdered crumble.
Add in the cream cheese, cut into pieces, and mix until the crumbles and cream cheese form a ball of soft dough.
Spoon or scoop the dough, and roll into equal size 1- 1 ½ inch balls. Place each ball on a piece of parchment paper, repeating until all of the dough is used. (You may find it easier to dip the cookie balls if they have been chilled in the refrigerator.
Melt the pink candy melts in the microwave, for about one minute. Then continue to check to see if they have completely melted, every thirty seconds. Stir the melted chocolate until it is smooth and creamy. Dip each prepared ball and use a spoon or fork to make sure each bite is completely covered. Using two fingers, gently remove the ball from the fork or spoon, and place onto the parchment paper. Shake a few sprinkles onto each bite, before the chocolate hardens.
Continue dipping and sprinkling with sprinkles, until half of the rolled bites are dipped in pink, and then repeat the same process with the white melting chocolates. Allow to completely dry before eating.
HOW TO STORE:
- This Circus Animal Cookie Ball recipe can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container or ziptop bag for up to 3 weeks.
- These can also be frozen. Place cookie balls in freezer bag, or stack them separated by parchment paper in an airtight freezer container where they will stay good for up to 2 months.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Circus Animal Cookie Balls
Ingredients
- 11 ounce package of Circus Animal Cookies
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup pink candy melts
- 1 cup white candy melts
- color sprinkles
Instructions
- Using a food processor, crush the entire package of cookies, pulsing until it is a fine powdered crumble.
- Cut the cream cheese in chunks and add it into the cookie crumble mixture. Mix until the crumble and cream cheese forms a ball of soft dough.
- Spoon or scoop the dough, and roll into equal size 1-1 ½ inch balls. I think this is easiest using a small spring-loaded cookie dough scoop.
- Place each ball on a piece of parchment paper, repeating until all of the dough is used. Place the cookie balls in the refrigerator or freezer to cool for about 20 minutes. This will make it easier to dip them in the candy coating.
- Melt the pink candy melts in the microwave, for about one minute. Stir and continue to check to see if they have completely melted. Continue to microwave every 15 seconds until candy is melted.
- Dip each prepared ball (using a a spoon or fork) to make sure each ball is completely covered. Gently remove the ball from the fork or spoon and place onto the parchment paper.
- Shake a few sprinkles onto each bite before the chocolate hardens.
- Continue dipping and sprinkling with sprinkles, until half of the rolled bites are dipped in pink.
- Repeat the process with the white melting chocolates.
Notes
- I use candy melts for these. The color is already added. When adding food coloring to melted chocolate, it can make the chocolate seize.
- Colored candy melts can usually be found with the other specialty baking items in your grocery store. Also, I can usually find them at Michael’s craft store for pretty cheap.
- You can top with any sprinkles you like, I prefer the rainbow nonpareils.
- These need to be stored in the refrigerator as they contain cream cheese.
- You can absolutely double the recipe for larger parties or to have some for later (because you will want more!)
- You can use one color if you like. I like to have the white and pink to match the cookies themselves.
- Make sure you chill your cookie balls before dipping.
- If you don’t have a food processor you can place cookies in ziptop bag and crush with rolling pin until a fine powder forms, place in bowl and stir in softened cream cheese.
- This Circus Animal Cookie Ball recipe can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container or ziptop bag for up to 3 weeks.
- These can also be frozen. Place cookie balls in freezer bag, or stack them separated by parchment paper in an airtight freezer container where they will stay good for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Did you use the frosted animal cookies or the original?
You can see the kind I use in the ingredient photo
These look so fun and delicious! I love circus animal treats!
Thank you so much Julie!! I should’ve doubled the batch. We went through them too fast. LOL