Have you ever tasted a dessert that looked like a holiday treat, but surprised you with a soft and creamy center the moment you took a bite? That’s exactly what happens when you try Red Velvet Snowballs. These bright red, fluffy cookie balls are filled with a smooth, sweet cream cheese mixture that melts in your mouth. They look fancy, taste amazing, and are much easier to make than you might think.
Red Velvet Snowballs are the perfect dessert for holidays, parties, or anytime you want something pretty and delicious. They are small, simple, and fun to make. Kids and adults love them, and the color alone makes them the star of any dessert table.
In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to create the most perfect Red Velvet Snowballs at home. From the ingredients and steps to storage tips and variations, this guide will walk you through each part in clear and easy steps.
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Red Velvet Snowballs
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 snowballs 1x
Description
Red Velvet Snowballs are no-bake, bite-sized treats with a creamy cheesecake center wrapped in soft red velvet cookie dough and rolled in crumbs and powdered sugar. They are festive, easy to make, and perfect for holidays, parties, or anytime you want a fun red velvet dessert.
Ingredients
- For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk, as needed
- For the Red Velvet Coating:
- 2 cups finely crumbled red velvet cake or red velvet cookies
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- For Rolling and Garnish:
- 1 cup additional red velvet crumbs, for coating
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: In a medium bowl, beat together the 8 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth and creamy. Add 1–2 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk, a little at a time, until the mixture is thick but scoopable.
- Form the Filling Centers: Using a teaspoon or small cookie scoop, portion the filling into small mounds and roll into balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 15–20 minutes, or until firm enough to handle.
- Prepare the Red Velvet Dough: In a separate bowl, beat together 4 oz softened cream cheese and 3 tablespoons softened butter until smooth. Add 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Mix until creamy. Stir in 2 cups finely crumbled red velvet cake or cookies until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add more crumbs; if it feels dry, add 1 teaspoon of milk at a time.
- Wrap the Filling: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of red velvet dough and flatten it in your palm. Place a chilled cheesecake ball in the center and gently wrap the dough around it, pinching to seal. Roll between your hands to create a smooth, round ball. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
- Coat the Snowballs: Add the extra red velvet crumbs to a shallow bowl. Roll each ball in the crumbs until completely coated. Place them back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the coated snowballs for at least 30 minutes to firm up and let the flavors meld.
- Finish and Serve: Just before serving, dust the tops lightly with powdered sugar to give them a snow-dusted look. Serve chilled or slightly cool from the fridge.
- Storage: Store Red Velvet Snowballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Dust with fresh powdered sugar after thawing if desired.
Notes
For neat, even snowballs, use a small cookie scoop for both the filling and the red velvet dough. If the dough sticks to your hands, lightly chill it or rub your palms with a tiny bit of powdered sugar. You can use leftover red velvet cupcakes, cake layers, or soft cookies for the crumbs. For a festive twist, drizzle the chilled snowballs with melted white chocolate or roll them in shredded coconut for extra “snow.”
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 snowball
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Red Velvet Snowballs are sweet, soft cookie balls rolled in red velvet crumbs and filled with creamy vanilla cheesecake filling. They take about 30 minutes of hands-on time and require only a few simple ingredients.
What makes this recipe special:
• Beautiful bright red color that makes them perfect for holidays
• Soft and creamy inside with a tender crumb outside
• No baking required
• Kid-friendly and great for parties
• Easy to make ahead
Difficulty level: Easy
Total time: About 1 hour including chill time
Essential Ingredients
To make the best Red Velvet Snowballs, you’ll need simple ingredients that you probably already have. Here’s what goes into them.
Red Velvet Base
• Red velvet cake crumbs or crushed red velvet cookies
• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
Snowball Filling
• Cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Heavy cream or milk
For Rolling
• Extra red velvet crumbs
• Powdered sugar for dusting
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
• Instead of red velvet cake crumbs, you can use red velvet Oreos or any soft red cookie.
• You can replace cream cheese with mascarpone for a richer flavor.
• Coconut flakes can be mixed with crumbs for an added layer of texture.
• A touch of cocoa powder can enhance the chocolate flavor.
• Add crushed nuts like pecans or walnuts for a crunchy twist.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to make the perfect Red Velvet Snowballs.
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
- In a mixing bowl, add cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a splash of heavy cream or milk.
- Mix until smooth and thick.
- Scoop small teaspoons of filling and roll them into tiny balls.
- Place these filling balls on a plate and freeze for 15 to 20 minutes.
Freezing helps them stay firm when you wrap them with the red velvet mixture later.
Step 2: Make the Red Velvet Dough
- In another bowl, add cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
- Beat until soft and creamy.
- Add the red velvet cake crumbs or finely crushed red velvet cookies.
- Mix until a thick dough forms.
If the dough feels sticky, add a little more crumbs. If it is too dry, add a teaspoon of melted butter.
Step 3: Wrap the Filling
- Take a small amount of the red velvet dough and flatten it in your palm.
- Place a frozen cream cheese ball in the center.
- Wrap the dough around it until the filling is covered.
- Roll gently between your hands to make it smooth and round.
Step 4: Roll in Crumbs
- Pour extra red velvet crumbs onto a plate.
- Roll each snowball in the crumbs until fully coated.
- Dust lightly with powdered sugar to give a snowy, winter look.
Step 5: Chill
Place finished snowballs in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to help them set. This also makes them easier to serve.
Assembly and Presentation Tips
• Use a small cookie scoop to make sure each snowball is the same size.
• For a holiday platter, place them in paper cupcake liners to keep them neat.
• Dust powdered sugar right before serving so it looks fresh.
• Serve these treats on a white plate to make the red color pop.
• Add a sprig of mint or fresh berries for a pretty finishing touch.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Red Velvet Snowballs store very well. Here’s how to keep them fresh:
In the Refrigerator
Place them in an airtight container and store for up to 5 days.
Keep powdered sugar off until just before serving.
In the Freezer
They freeze beautifully.
Freeze on a tray, then move to a freezer bag. They will keep for up to 2 months.
Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Make-Ahead Tips
• Prepare the filling balls ahead and freeze them for up to a week.
• The full snowballs can also be made the day before a party.
• If you plan to freeze them, roll in crumbs but save powdered sugar for later.
Recipe Variations
There are many fun ways to change up Red Velvet Snowballs.
Chocolate Drizzle Snowballs
Drizzle melted white or dark chocolate on top before chilling.
Coconut Snowballs
Roll the finished balls in shredded coconut for a snowy look.
Mint Snowballs
Add a drop of peppermint extract to the filling for a holiday flavor.
Nut-Crusted Snowballs
Roll the outside in crushed pecans or walnuts instead of red velvet crumbs.
Strawberry Snowballs
Add freeze-dried strawberries to the crumbs for a fruity twist.
Conclusion
Red Velvet Snowballs are one of the easiest and most beautiful treats you can make at home. They look like they came from a bakery but only take a few simple ingredients and a short amount of time. The creamy center and soft outside make every bite special. Whether you’re making them for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or just because you love red velvet, these snowballs are always a hit.
Once you learn the basic steps, you can play with flavors and mix-ins to make your own unique version. Enjoy the fun of making them and share them with the people you love.
FAQs
What are Red Velvet Snowballs made of?
They are made of red velvet crumbs, cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and a creamy cheesecake filling.
Are they no-bake?
Yes. This is a no-bake dessert, making it perfect when you want something fast and easy.
Can I make them ahead?
Yes. They chill well in the fridge, and they freeze even better.
How long do they last?
Up to 5 days in the fridge or up to 2 months in the freezer.
Can I use boxed red velvet cake?
Absolutely. Crumble the finished cake and use it for the red velvet dough.
What if my dough is sticky?
Add more red velvet crumbs until the dough firms up.
Are they kid-friendly?
Yes. Kids love the color, the creamy center, and the small snack-size shape.
