What To Do with Leftover Chocolate Chip Cookies (Truffle Recipe)
Sneak Preview: Wondering what to do with leftover chocolate chip cookies? This no-bake truffle recipe turns stale or extra cookies into chocolate-dipped treats with just cream cheese and a food processor in less than 30 minutes.
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Do you ever feel guilty throwing away leftover cookies—especially when they’re homemade? I do. When my grandkids visit, we almost always bake chocolate chip cookies together. I try to send them home with the extras, but somehow a few too many stick around.
That’s when I pull out this recipe. These truffles are my go-to trick for using up leftover chocolate chip cookies (or peanut butter, oatmeal, shortbread, gingerbread cookies, Oreos—you name it). Just mix the crumbs with cream cheese, roll, and dip—they feel like fancy candy but come together fast.. They feel like fancy candy, but couldn’t be easier to make.
Ingredients & Substitutions
• CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES: Homemade or store-bought; slightly stale with a crispy texture works best. Peanut butter, oatmeal, shortbread, gingerbread, or sandwich cookies also work well.
• CREAM CHEESE: Full-fat or light cream cheese; soften slightly for easier blending.
• SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS: For dipping; dark chocolate works if you prefer less sweetness.
• VEGETABLE SHORTENING: Helps the chocolate melt smoothly; substitute coconut oil or butter if needed (coating may be slightly softer).
Step-by-Step Photos for Leftover Chocolate Chip Cookie Truffles
⬇️ Jump to the recipe below for exact amounts and detailed instructions.
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Leftover Chocolate Chip Cookies (Truffle Recipe)
Ingredients
- 6 ounces (170 g) baked chocolate chip cookies
- 3 ounces (85 g) cream cheese light cream cheese works great
- 1 cup (180 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon (12 g) vegetable shortening
Instructions
- Crush the cookies: Add 6 ounces (170 g) baked chocolate chip cookies to a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form or put them into a zippered plastic bag and flatten with a rolling pin.
- Blend in cream cheese: Add 3 ounces (85 g) cream cheese and process until the mixture clumps together and can be formed into balls.
- Shape the truffles: Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls using gloved hands or a small scoop. Place on a wax paper–lined tray and refrigerate.
- Melt chocolate coating: Combine 1 cup (180 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon (12 g) vegetable shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute, stir, and continue in short bursts until the mixture is smooth.
- Dip and chill: Use a fork to dip each ball into the melted chocolate. Tap off excess, place back on the tray, and refrigerate until the coating sets.
Notes
Nutrition
All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever stared at a half-empty cookie jar and wondered what to do, now you have a delicious answer. These truffles turn forgotten cookies into a special-occasion treat that feels downright indulgent. I won’t be sharing these—my husband and I somehow managed to eat every last one. I know.
And since I do have a bit of a reputation as a leftover queen, you might also enjoy this Strawberry Snowball Cake made with leftover angel food cake—another sweet way to rescue something that deserves a second act.
— Paula, Home Economist
Homemade Food Worth Sharing
Need help troubleshooting?
Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com — photos help!
Paula,
What an awesome way to repurpose a batch of cookies that came out not as expected! There was nothing wrong with the cookies they just didn’t hit the spot. I didn’t want to throw them out cause I used a 12 ounce bag of chocolate chips. I can’t wait to try these tomorrow. I plan on making some with cream cheese and the rest with peanut butter.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for your comment! Recycling cookies is such a fun way to give them new life, and I love that you’re planning to try both cream cheese and peanut butter—sounds delicious! I know what you mean about the chocolate chips. They have become precious these days.
I hope you enjoy the results! Let me know how they turn out.
These are delicious ty
Can I use peanut butter in place of cream cheese with my leftover chocolate chip cookies next time?
Hi Carol,
Wow! That sounds like a scrumptious idea. I’ve never tried it. The key is going to be keeping them supercold. You might have to add additional powdered sugar. Let me know how they turn out.
Overall, this was fine. I do not recommend microwaving chocolate chips, ever. Instead use some milk and chocolate chips and heat slowly on the stove.
Hi Vicki,
So nice to hear from you. Glad you liked the recipe.
To your comment about microwaving chocolate chips, I’ve never had a problem, but feel free to melt chocolate using your favorite method.
I had a ton of left over chocolate chip cookies. No idea how to measure 1 pound, so I just threw a bunch of cookies in the processor, added cream cheese and shortening, cinnamon, and vanilla. Dipped in chocolate. Oh my! I think these are better than the original cookies!!
“Leftover” chocolate chip cookies??? Would I find that on the store shelf next to the “leftover” wine? Such things don’t exist in my house! Tee hee!
Seriously – I’ll have to try these. They look delish and easy.
Thank you so much for this awesome idea- no waste and looks amazing!!
Ooh, yum! I was thinking they were going to be raw cookie dough, the crushed cookies is an awesome idea!
I’ve seen Oreo truffles, but I really like the idea of using homemade chocolate chip cookies. I think these would really impress people and they’d have no idea how easy they are to make!
I have a friend who makes these with crushed Oreo cookies. These look like a delicious variation. Yum!
Boo! Hoo! You did not save one for your exercise friend?? Surgical gloves do help with sticky foods, I can attest to that!!
Thanks for the shout out. I am in Austin checking your blog on my phone. This is a great idea for a cooking activity in kindergarten. They would get so excited about making these for their moms.
Definitely a perfect treat for Valentines Day they look scrumptious.
Yummmmm. Only one hitch – how do you manage to have leftover chocolate chip cookie crumbs??? LOL I guess I’ll have to stash some away from the next batch.
Gina, Leave it to a PA student to ask a question like that. 🙂 Basic medical gloves–or actually any plastic gloves. Anything to protect the dough from body heat and cooties. Protecting hands from the sticky dough is a good idea too.
Great idea – these look really good. Surgical gloves? Are you talking about the real deal sterile gloves or just basic medical gloves?
I love making candy. Not only are these beautiful, but quick and easy to make. I guess I wil have to hide some chocolate chip cookies from the other Mimi’s in order to make these.
Mimi
Oh my! These look so good and easy! Our body cleanse ends on Sunday so I’m definitely going to try and make some of these for my hubby by Monday–especially since he loves Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Thanks for sharing!