What To Do with Leftover Cookies: Chocolate Chip Cookie Truffles
Sneak Preview: What can you do with leftover cookies? Make truffles–rolled balls of cookie crumbs mixed with cream cheese, then dipped in chocolate coating. No thermometer or cooking is required.
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Do you feel guilty about throwing away dessert? Maybe it reminds you of wasted money or poor kitchen management, or you feel bad because somebody special made it or gave it to you.
I can relate. When my grandkids visit, they love to make chocolate chip cookies. I try to send them home with the kids, but sometimes a few too many stay behind.
Truffles are a great way to recycle leftover chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, oatmeal cookies, shortbread, gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, Oreos, etc.
The type of cookie matters. Crunchy and crumbly cookies work best. Cookies resembling teacakes and containing too much moisture do not work either. However, if they have some frosting on top or inside, like sandwich cookies, they are still good for this recipe.
Are you a candy maker?
It seems that some people are….and some are not.
I am not a candy maker, although my mom was. In her heyday, she could make perfect fudge, peanut brittle, toffee, caramel, and divinity.
Obviously, I did not get her candy gene. The closest I get are these caramelized pecans or this dark chocolate bark.
Happy Cooks Speak Up:
“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!!”–Jill
If you’re like me, we can make these. They are so easy. Even your kids can make them.
After you mix the cookie pieces with the cream cheese, use a blender or food processor to get the right consistency. Shape a spoonful into a small ball with your hands. Shaping and dipping are where the kids come in.
An idea for leftover Christmas cookies:
Freeze any crunchy cookies. Double-wrap them to avoid the dreaded freezer flavor. This recipe gives those frozen leftovers new life when Valentine’s Day rolls around.
How to make truffles with leftover or stale cookies:
Coating Variations:
Leave these delectable little balls plain, OR…
- Coat them with dipping chocolate (see recipe below)
- Roll one batch of balls in powdered sugar
- Roll another batch in cocoa powder
Frequently Asked Questions about Leftover Cookie Truffles
Freezing can change the taste if you leave them in the freezer too long or expose them to the freezer air. Double-wrap to be safe.
I use the surgical gloves sold at Costco or almost any drugstore. I have many more ideas for the rest of those gloves if you buy a box.
Absolutely, as long as they are crunchy.
Because they contain cream cheese, they must be stored in the fridge. They should be good for ten days to two weeks.
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Parting thoughts: Unfortunately, I will not be giving any of these away since my husband and I have managed to eat every last one of them. I know. 😳
Help at Your Fingertips: For questions or suggestions, email Paula at saladinajar.com. If you need help, I’m happy to troubleshoot via email (faster than leaving a comment). Attach pictures and as many details as possible for the best advice.
Leftover Cookie Truffles 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 6 ounces (170 g) baked chocolate chip cookies. You can put them in a zippered plastic bag and flatten with a rolling pin. It’s easier to use a food processor and process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 3 ounces (85 g) cream cheese and process or mix until the mixture holds together. Expect the mixture to be dark in color.
- If you have them, put on plastic gloves and form cookie mixture into 1-inch balls. I like to use a small ice cream dipper to get uniformity. Place on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper or a silicone baking sheet. Refrigerate.
- Place 1 cup (180 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon (12 g) vegetable shortening into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute, stirring to melt. Add time in very small increments to finish melting if necessary.
- Dip balls into melted chocolate with fork until completely covered. Return balls to wax paper or silicone baking sheet and chill until chocolate is hard.
Paula Rhodes, author
I’m a retired home economist, wife, mother, grandmother, and creator of Saladinajar.com. I believe you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Here you’ll find time-saving tips, troubleshooting advice, and confidence-inspiring recipes to make life in the kitchen more fun, appetizing, and satisfying.