Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’re in the right place! I absolutely love this Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites Recipe because it’s playful, delicious, and perfect for spreading holiday cheer in every bite. Imagine rich red velvet cookie crumbs blended with smooth cream cheese, all coated in vibrant green white chocolate – it’s like Christmas magic in miniature form. Stick with me, and I’ll share all my best tips so you’ll nail these Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to Make: No baking required—just mix, chill, and dip for quick holiday fun.
  • Festive Appearance: That vibrant green coating and red heart sprinkles make these bites party-ready.
  • Perfect Portion Size: Bite-sized so you can enjoy without overindulging (though it’s hard to stop at one!).
  • Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for these, and they’re great for sharing—or sneaking away for yourself.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe comes together with just a few simple ingredients that create a brilliant balance of creamy, chocolaty, and festive flavors. A quick tip: picking up the right red velvet cookies makes a big difference, so be sure to grab the chewy kind for that perfect texture.

Flat lay of a simple white ceramic plate with several whole chewy red velvet cookies showing their rich red color and chocolate chips, a small white bowl filled with smooth cream cheese, a small white bowl heaped with glossy white chocolate chips, a tiny white bowl containing vivid green food coloring gel, and a small simple white ceramic dish holding bright red heart sprinkles, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites, festive holiday treats, no-bake Christmas desserts, green white chocolate cake balls, holiday party desserts
  • Chips Ahoy Chewy Red Velvet cookies: These give the base its iconic red velvet flavor and soft crumb texture, which I love because they’re easy to pulse into crumbs.
  • Cream cheese: Make sure it’s room temperature for easy mixing and a silky finished texture.
  • White chocolate chips: Divided use here—some for the green coating, and some for the striped drizzle to add visual interest.
  • Green food coloring gel: I prefer gel over liquid; it gives vibrant color without thinning the chocolate.
  • Red heart sprinkles: These adorable touches tie the Grinch theme together, adding a festive pop.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites Recipe is—you can easily swap in your favorite cookies or adjust flavors to suit your party vibe. Personalizing it keeps things fresh, plus I find it fun to experiment with different coatings or decorations.

  • Chocolate lovers’ dream: Use semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of white chocolate and tint with red food coloring for a twist on the classic red velvet theme.
  • Nutty crunch: Try rolling the bites in finely chopped pistachios before the coating sets for an extra festive texture.
  • Dairy-free: Swap in your favorite vegan cream cheese and dairy-free white chocolate chips for a plant-based treat everyone can enjoy.
  • Holiday mix-ins: Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the cream cheese mixture to give the bites a cool, minty edge.

How to Make Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites Recipe

Step 1: Crush Those Cookies

First things first, place a wire rack over a parchment-lined baking sheet to catch drips later on. Then, pulse the red velvet cookies in a food processor until they become fine crumbs. I’ve learned not to over-process here because you want a slightly coarse texture to keep the bites interesting, not powdery dust.

Step 2: Mix Cream Cheese and Cookie Crumbs

In your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed until it’s completely smooth—this is key! Then add your cookie crumbs and keep beating until everything is well combined. The mixture will be thick but pliable enough to scoop and roll.

Step 3: Roll and Chill the Bites

Using a tablespoon, scoop out dough and roll it into 1½-inch balls. This size ensures that every bite is perfectly indulgent without being overwhelming. Place them on the prepared rack and pop them in the fridge for about 2 hours to firm up. This chilling step makes the dipping process so much easier and cleaner.

Step 4: Melt and Color the White Chocolate

Set up a double boiler by placing a medium heatproof bowl over a simmering pot of water—make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water to avoid scorching the chocolate. Reserve one package of white chocolate chips. Melt the other two packages in the bowl, stirring until smooth. Off the heat, stir in green food coloring gel, starting with one drop and adding more until you get that perfect ‘Grinchy’ hue.

Step 5: Dip the Bites in Green Chocolate

Using a fork, carefully dip each chilled ball into the melted green chocolate, letting excess drip off before placing it back on the rack. If you want a thicker coating, wait for the first layer to set, then dip again. Pop the whole tray in the fridge for about 30 minutes to let this layer harden.

Step 6: Add Stripes and Sprinkles

Wipe out your bowl and melt the reserved white chocolate chips using the same double boiler setup. Color this chocolate green as well, but add a tiny bit of hot water if needed to reach a drizzling consistency—this trick took me a few tries to perfect! Transfer to a piping bag or plastic bag with a tiny cut at the end, then drizzle stripes over each cake bite. Immediately press a red heart sprinkle on top before the drizzle sets for that charming finishing touch.

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Pro Tips for Making Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites Recipe

  • Choose Quality Cookies: Using Chips Ahoy chewy red velvet cookies really makes this recipe sing with authentic flavor and ideal texture.
  • Keep It Cool: Chilling the balls well before dipping helps prevent cracking and keeps the shape intact.
  • Use Gel Food Coloring: It provides vivid color without thinning the chocolate coating like liquid food coloring can.
  • Double Boiler Patience: Melt your chocolate gently to avoid graininess or burning — good chocolate makes all the difference.

How to Serve Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites Recipe

Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I always reach for the red heart sprinkles because they add a perfect festive pop of color and a tiny crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy center. You can also try edible glitter or tiny silver dragees for a sparkly touch—something that makes these bites shine under your holiday lights.

Side Dishes

Since these cake bites are rich and sweet, I like pairing them with simple sides like fresh fruit platters or a crisp peppermint tea. It balances out the indulgence wonderfully and keeps your dessert table feeling fresh and inviting.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I love arranging the Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites on a tiered tray surrounded by pine branches and mini ornaments. Wrapping them individually in clear cellophane with a festive ribbon makes for charming edible gifts too. Trust me, these little bites get rave reviews no matter how you display them!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store mine in an airtight container in the fridge, layered between parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They stay fresh and delicious for about a week—though, full disclosure, they rarely last that long in my kitchen!

Freezing

Freezing is totally doable here. I freeze the cake bites in a single layer on a tray first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. This way, the coating stays intact, and they thaw perfectly without becoming soggy. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

Reheating

These don’t usually need reheating since they’re best served chilled, but if you like the chocolate a little softer, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave does the trick—just watch closely so you don’t melt the whole thing!

FAQs

  1. Can I make the Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites Recipe without a food processor?

    Absolutely! If you don’t have a food processor, place the red velvet cookies in a sturdy plastic bag and crush them using a rolling pin until fine crumbs form. Just be patient and try to get an even texture for the best results.

  2. What can I substitute for Chips Ahoy chewy red velvet cookies?

    If you can’t find those specific cookies, any chewy red velvet cookies will work well. Just avoid crisp or crunchy types as they won’t blend into the smooth, creamy base the same way.

  3. Why do I need to chill the cake bites before dipping?

    Chilling firms up the mixture, which helps the balls stay intact during the chocolate dip and prevents cracking or melting. It also makes handling less messy and gives you a smooth, polished coating.

  4. Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

    You can, but I recommend gel food coloring because it provides a richer color without thinning the white chocolate. Regular liquid colorings might affect the texture of your coating, making it harder to set properly.

  5. How long will these cake bites stay fresh?

    Stored properly in the fridge in an airtight container, you can expect them to stay fresh and tasty for up to one week. Just be sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Final Thoughts

This Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions because it’s simple, festive, and endlessly fun to share. Whether you’re gifting them, bringing them to a party, or just enjoying a quiet night in, these cake bites are guaranteed to bring smiles and that perfect sweet balance everyone loves. I can’t wait for you to try making them—you’re going to love how easy and delightful they turn out!

Print
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Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites Recipe

Grinchy Red Velvet Cake Bites Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 231 reviews
  • Author: Hannah
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 36 cake bites 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Double Boiling and No-Cook (setting in refrigerator)
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Grinchy Christmas Cake Bites are a festive holiday treat featuring red velvet cookie and cream cheese balls dipped in vibrant green white chocolate and decorated with red heart sprinkles. Perfect as a fun and colorful dessert bite for holiday parties and celebrations.


Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Base

  • 3 (9.6-oz.) packages Chips Ahoy Chewy Red Velvet cookies
  • 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, room temperature

Chocolate Coating and Decoration

  • 3 (12-oz.) packages white chocolate chips, divided
  • Green food coloring gel
  • Red heart sprinkles, for decorating

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Sheet and Process Cookies: Place a wire rack in a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a food processor, pulse the red velvet cookies until they form fine crumbs.
  2. Make the Dough: In the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese at medium-high speed until smooth. Add the cookie crumbs and continue beating until fully combined into a dough.
  3. Form Cake Balls: Using a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop out portions of the dough and roll them into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Arrange the balls on the prepared wire rack and refrigerate until firm, approximately 2 hours.
  4. Melt White Chocolate for Coating: Set a medium heatproof bowl over a pot of barely simmering water, ensuring the bowl’s bottom does not touch the water. Reserve one package of white chocolate chips. In the bowl, melt the remaining two packages of white chocolate chips, stirring frequently until smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  5. Add Green Food Coloring: Stir in 1 drop of green food coloring gel, adding more drops as needed until the chocolate reaches the desired vibrant green color.
  6. Dip Cake Balls in Chocolate: Using a fork, dip each cake ball into the green melted chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Place the coated balls back on the wire rack. Repeat with remaining balls. For a thicker coating, apply a second dip if desired. Refrigerate the dipped balls until the coating is set, about 30 minutes. Wipe out the bowl and keep the double boiler setup ready for next use.
  7. Melt Reserved White Chocolate for Drizzle: In the double boiler, melt the reserved package of white chocolate chips, stirring until smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  8. Color and Thin the Drizzle Chocolate: Add 1 drop of green food coloring gel to the melted chocolate and stir to incorporate, adding more color if needed. If the chocolate is too thick for drizzling, add hot water from the pot, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring vigorously after each addition until it reaches a smooth drizzling consistency. Transfer the chocolate to a plastic or piping bag and snip off the tip.
  9. Drizzle and Decorate: Drizzle the green chocolate over the cake balls to create festive stripes. Before the drizzle sets, top each ball with a red heart sprinkle for decoration.

Notes

  • Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to get a smooth dough consistency.
  • Use a wire rack over parchment to allow excess chocolate to drip off and prevent sticking.
  • Adjust green food coloring gradually to achieve the perfect festive color without overpowering the chocolate flavor.
  • Keep cake balls refrigerated if not serving immediately to maintain firmness.
  • This recipe yields approximately 36 cake bites, making it ideal for large gatherings.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cake bite
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 90mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 14g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 1.5g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg

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