Last updated on September 12th, 2025 at 08:54 pm
The holiday season is all about sweet treats that bring people together, and these no bake Christmas cookie dough balls are one of my favorite things to make this time of year. They’re festive, colorful, and completely no-bake, so you can whip them up in no time.
With a soft and chewy cookie dough base filled with mini chocolate chips and pops of red and green sprinkles, they look just as good as they taste. These little bites make such fun Christmas desserts, and since they come together so quickly, they’re also one of the best easy Christmas desserts to have on hand during a busy holiday season.
Jump to Recipe
Ingredients for Christmas Cookie Dough Balls
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these festive little bites:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream for richness)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (see below for how to heat treat it)
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup Halloween sprinkles or Halloween-colored mini M&Ms (I went with sprinkles)
- Mini cupcake liners (for serving)
How to Make Christmas Cookie Dough Balls
Step 1: Heat-treat the flour
Since this is a no-bake recipe, you’ll want to make the flour safe to eat before mixing it in. Spread it on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5 minutes, or microwave it in a bowl, stirring every few seconds, until it reaches 165°F throughout. Let it cool completely before using.
Step 2: Make the cookie dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
Step 3: Add dry ingredients
Stir in the cooled, heat-treated flour and salt until combined. Mix in the milk, one tablespoon at a time, until a soft cookie dough forms.
Step 4: Fold in the mix-ins
Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips and Christmas sprinkles until evenly distributed through the dough.
Step 5: Roll into balls
Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough and roll it into balls. Place them in mini cupcake linters.
Step 6: Chill and serve
The dough balls can be eaten right away, but I recommend chilling them for at least 30 minutes for the best texture. Chilling also helps keep them fresh if they won’t be eaten immediately.
Pro Tips for Christmas Cookie Dough Balls
- Don’t skip heat-treating the flour: It only takes a few minutes and makes the dough safe to eat.
- Sift the flour: Speaking of flour, it can get a bit clumpy if you heat treat it in the microwave. It helps if you sift the flour or push it through a strainer before adding it your edible cookie dough. It’s certainly not a deal breaker, but it makes it easier.
- Add extra sprinkles on top: For even more holiday cheer, roll the dough balls in extra Christmas sprinkles before serving.
- Chill before serving: You can eat these right away, but chilling them gives the best texture and keeps them fresh longer. They also make easy-to-grab treats at parties if you store them in mini cupcake liners.
- Make-ahead friendly: Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
FAQs
Do I really need to heat-treat the flour?
Yes. Since these cookie dough balls aren’t baked, heat-treating the flour is important for food safety. It only takes a few minutes and makes the dough safe to enjoy.
Can I use different kinds of sprinkles?
Definitely! Any red, green, or holiday-themed sprinkles will work. If you’d like to use colored sugar, I recommend rolling the finished dough balls in it instead of mixing it into the dough. This keeps the color from bleeding and makes them sparkle on the outside.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2 months and thaw in the fridge before serving.
Do I have to chill them before serving?
You don’t have to, but I recommend it. Chilling gives the dough balls a firmer, chewier texture and helps keep them fresh if you’re not eating them right away.
What’s the best way to serve these at a party?
I like to place each ball in a mini cupcake liner. It makes them easy to grab and keeps things neat on a dessert tray.
These Christmas cookie dough balls are quick, festive, and so much fun to make. They’re one of my favorite no-bake Christmas treats because they’re easy, delicious, and always a hit during the holidays.
Give them a try this season and let me know how you’re serving yours. I’d love to hear if they made it onto your list of favorite easy Christmas desserts!
Christmas Cookie Dough Balls
Equipment
- 24 Mini Cupcake Liners optional, for serving
- 1 cookie scoop optional
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1-2 Tbsp milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup flour heat-treated
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Since this is a no-bake recipe, you’ll want to make the flour safe to eat before mixing it in. Spread it on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5 minutes, or microwave it in a bowl, stirring every few seconds, until it reaches 165°F throughout. Let it cool completely before using.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
- Stir in the cooled, heat-treated flour and salt until combined. Mix in the milk, one tablespoon at a time, until a soft cookie dough forms.
- Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips and Christmas sprinkles until evenly distributed through the dough.
- Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the dough and roll it into balls. Place them in mini cupcake liners for easy serving.
- Chill in the fridge at least 30 minute for best results. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
