Peppermint Oreo Cookie Dough Bites Recipe
If you’re on the lookout for a festive treat that’s bursting with holiday cheer, I can’t wait to share my absolutely *fan-freaking-tastic* Peppermint Oreo Cookie Dough Bites Recipe with you. These little bites of joy are soft, chewy, and packed with just the right crunch of Oreo chunks and peppermint candy—trust me, once you try them, they’ll quickly become your new go-to for cozy winter gatherings or an anytime sweet pick-me-up. Stick with me here, and I’ll walk you through every step—plus some insider tips I’ve picked up along the way to make sure your cookie dough bites come out perfect every time.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The peppermint extract and Andes peppermint pieces pair beautifully with the Oreo chunks for a refreshingly sweet and minty bite.
- Soft, Chewy Texture: Using cream cheese and cake mix creates a tender dough that bakes up soft, almost cake-like, yet sturdy enough to hold together.
- Simple and Quick to Make: The dough comes together with just a few ingredients and requires minimal effort, perfect for last-minute baking.
- Customizable and Fun: You can easily swap peppermint candies or Oreos based on what you have on hand or tweak the flavors to suit your taste buds.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Peppermint Oreo Cookie Dough Bites Recipe plays a special role, creating that perfect combination of softness, flavor, and festive crunch. When shopping, I always recommend using room temperature butter and cream cheese—they blend more smoothly, which is key to achieving the right dough texture.

- White cake mix: Gives the dough structure and sweetness while keeping the cookies soft and tender, more like a little bite of cake than traditional cookie crunch.
- Unsalted butter: Adds rich creaminess without extra salt, letting the peppermint and chocolate flavors shine.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture for a luscious dough.
- Peppermint extract: This is where the magic of mint comes from, giving the bites a cool, refreshing punch.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and balances the peppermint to keep the flavor from overpowering.
- Cream cheese: Essential for softness and helps the dough hold together without being greasy or crumbly.
- Oreo cookie chunks: Provide that classic chocolate sandwich cookie flavor and add a satisfying crunch.
- Andes Peppermint Crunch pieces: These melt slightly during baking and deliver a burst of minty chocolate. If you can’t find these, chopped peppermint candy bars work great!
- Dark chocolate chips: For that rich, bittersweet chocolate contrast with the sweetness and mint.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love when a recipe feels like a starting point for creativity, and this Peppermint Oreo Cookie Dough Bites Recipe is no exception. I encourage you to play around with mix-ins or swap out ingredients to suit your mood or dietary needs—after all, cookie dough is one of those things we all deserve to enjoy just the way we like it.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap peppermint extract for a teaspoon of orange extract for a festive twist—it’s surprisingly delicious and less expected!
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: I’ve tried using a dairy-free cream cheese and vegan butter with good success, just be sure to chill the dough a bit longer for easier handling.
- Add More Crunch: If you’re a texture fan like me, try mixing in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts along with the Oreos.
- Extra Minty: Feeling brave? Sprinkle some crushed candy canes on top before baking for added color and crunch.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Oreo Cookie Dough Bites Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up That Heavenly Dough
First up, toss your cake mix, softened butter, egg, peppermint and vanilla extracts, and cream cheese into a big mixing bowl. I like using my electric mixer at medium speed to really bring it all together until you have a soft, smooth dough. Don’t rush this part—if your cream cheese or butter are too warm, you might see streaks of butter that won’t combine well, so keep mixing until it’s uniform and dreamily soft.
Step 2: Fold in the Fun Stuff
Next, gently fold in the Oreo chunks, Andes peppermint pieces, and dark chocolate chips. Take your time here so the mix-ins stay chunky and don’t overbreak. A soft silicone spatula works perfectly for folding without deflating your dough.
Step 3: Chill Out
Pop your dough in the fridge for at least an hour. This step is crucial because it helps the dough firm up so it doesn’t stick to your hands when rolling. If you give it more time—like overnight—you’ll find rolling the bites even easier, and the flavors truly meld together beautifully.
Step 4: Shape & Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop or roll your dough into about 24 balls, placing half on a baking sheet and keeping the rest chilled in the fridge while the first batch bakes. Bake for 10-11 minutes but watch closely—they’ll look soft and slightly underbaked on top, but that’s exactly the texture we want.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
Right out of the oven, leave the cookies on the hot sheet for 2-3 minutes to set before carefully transferring them to parchment paper. If you see some puffy tops, gently tap them down with the flat side of your spatula. I love pressing extra peppermint pieces or chocolate chips on top while they’re still warm—it makes them look extra special and adds a bit of melty chocolaty goodness.
Pro Tips for Making Peppermint Oreo Cookie Dough Bites Recipe
- Cream Cheese & Butter Temp: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are softened but not melted—too soft and the dough won’t chill properly, which makes rolling messy.
- Patience with the Chill: I’ve learned chilling the dough longer than an hour (sometimes overnight) really helps prevent sticking and intensifies flavor.
- Avoid Overbaking: The cookies might look slightly underdone when you take them out—that’s perfect! They continue to set as they cool, so resist the urge to bake them longer.
- Keep Extras Handy: Pressing extra Andes pieces or chocolate chips on top right after baking adds an irresistible finishing touch and makes your cookies look bakery-level special.
How to Serve Peppermint Oreo Cookie Dough Bites Recipe

Garnishes
I love topping these bites with a few crushed candy canes or a light drizzle of melted white chocolate for a festive sparkle that instantly ups the wow factor. Sometimes, a simple dusting of powdered sugar adds a snowy, pretty touch that also complements the peppermint flavor beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookie dough bites with a mug of hot chocolate or peppermint mocha for an indulgent holiday treat. They also go incredibly well alongside vanilla bean ice cream or a scoop of mint chocolate chip if you’re serving these at a dessert buffet.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, I like arranging these bites in a festive tin lined with parchment or on a tiered dessert stand sprinkled with holly and evergreen sprigs. Wrapping individual bites in mini cupcake liners makes them look so cute and keeps things tidy, especially for party favors or cookie exchanges.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Peppermint Oreo Cookie Dough Bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house! If it’s humid, I pop them in the fridge to keep them firm.
Freezing
Freezing works like a charm for these bites. After baking and cooling completely, I arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or container. They freeze well for up to 2 months and thaw quickly at room temperature when you’re craving a sweet treat.
Reheating
If you want to freshen up frozen or refrigerated cookie dough bites, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave softens them up beautifully, almost like they just came out of the oven. Just be careful not to overdo it, or they might get too melty.
FAQs
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Can I use a different kind of cake mix for the Peppermint Oreo Cookie Dough Bites Recipe?
Absolutely! While I prefer white cake mix for its light flavor and texture, yellow cake mix also works well. Avoid chocolate cake mix since it can overpower the peppermint and Oreo flavors. Just pick your favorite trusted brand and ensure it’s a dry mix without pudding or frosting included.
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What if I can’t find Andes Peppermint Crunch pieces?
No worries at all. You can substitute with chopped candy canes, peppermint bark, or any peppermint chocolate bars you love. Just chop them into small pieces to distribute the minty flavor evenly.
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How do I prevent my cookie dough bites from sticking to my hands?
Chilling the dough well before rolling is key. I recommend refrigerating for at least an hour, and if possible, longer. Also, lightly dust your hands or scoop with a bit of flour or powdered sugar to make rolling easier and less sticky.
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Can I eat the dough raw since it has cake mix?
This recipe uses cake mix that contains flour and eggs, so I don’t recommend eating the raw dough straight from the bowl. Baking is necessary to make sure it’s safe and delicious. If you want cookie dough bites safe to eat raw, look for recipes using heat-treated flour and no eggs.
Final Thoughts
This Peppermint Oreo Cookie Dough Bites Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it combines all the festive flavors I adore with an easy, no-fuss approach. Whether you’re making them for family, friends, or just to treat yourself on a chilly afternoon, these little bites always bring smiles and sweet moments. I truly hope you give them a try—you might just find yourself sneaking a few straight from the batch like I do. Happy baking!
Print
Peppermint Oreo Cookie Dough Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully soft and festive Peppermint Oreo Cookies made with white cake mix, cream cheese, and peppermint extracts, studded with Oreo chunks, Andes Peppermint Crunch pieces, and dark chocolate chips, perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime a minty chocolate treat is desired.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box white cake mix
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
Mix-ins
- 1 cup Oreo cookie chunks
- 1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch pieces plus extra for topping
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips plus extra for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, softened butter, egg, peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and softened cream cheese. Beat with a mixer until a soft dough forms, ensuring no streaks of butter or cream cheese remain.
- Add mix-ins: Gently stir in the Oreo cookie chunks, Andes Peppermint Crunch pieces, and dark chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 60 minutes or until it’s firm enough to handle without sticking to your hands.
- Preheat oven: Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and allow it to fully preheat before baking.
- Shape the cookies: Scoop or roll the chilled dough into 24 even balls. Place 12 balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and keep the remaining 12 balls refrigerated until ready to bake.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-11 minutes, taking care not to overbake. The cookies will appear soft and slightly underdone when removed from the oven.
- Cool and finish: Let the cookies rest on the hot baking sheet for 2-3 minutes. Use a thin metal spatula to transfer them gently onto parchment paper placed on the counter. If the cookies are puffy, gently tap the tops with the bottom of the spatula and press extra chocolate chips or peppermint pieces into the tops. Allow cookies to cool completely before storing.
- Store: Store the cooled cookies in a sealed container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use a Pillsbury or Aldi white cake mix for best results.
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are softened but not overly soft to avoid sticky dough; refrigerate longer if necessary.
- Mix thoroughly when using a hand mixer until dough is fully combined with no streaks.
- Cookies firm up better after cooling on the counter for a few hours.
- If Andes Peppermint Crunch pieces are unavailable, substitute with any chocolate peppermint candy bar chopped into small pieces.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg


