
snowmen truffles on your mind? Same. Last year, I brought these to a Christmas party and, trust me, they disappeared faster than free WiFi at the airport. Everyone’s always stressing about what fun treat to bring, especially for kids and picky eaters. You want something cute (I mean, really cute), delicious, and still sort-of easy, right? These little snowmen check every box and look like you worked for hours, but really, it’s just some clever rolling and dipping.
- Mix cream cheese, condensed milk, powdered sugar, and coconut into a sticky dough.
- Chill until firm, then roll into 12 small base balls and 12 smaller head balls.
- Melt white chocolate and coat each piece, then lightly press two balls together.
- Add candy eyes, sprinkle nose, and pretzel arms; chill again to set.
Bite-size, freezer-friendly, and perfect for Christmas parties and edible gifts.
Why These Coconut Snowmen Are the Perfect Holiday Treat
You know when a dessert looks almost too adorable to eat? That’s what these snowmen truffles do to people. They’re soft, sweet, and have just the right bite that makes you go back for another. I’m convinced they are the unofficial crowd-pleaser at Christmas parties. Plus, they’re bite-sized. No forks. No crumbs and definitely No “oops, I took too much” guilt.
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Snowman Truffles
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 truffles
Description
These adorable snowman truffles are a fun, bite-sized treat perfect for holiday gatherings. They’re easy to make and sure to impress both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups desiccated coconut (Use fine desiccated coconut, not large flakes.)
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (Standard size can.)
- 4 oz cream cheese (Softened; let it sit out before using.)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- to coat cups white chocolate chips or coating chocolate (For dipping.)
- as needed mini pretzel sticks (For arms.)
- as needed candy eyes or orange sprinkle mini chocolate chips (For the face parts.)
- as needed sprinkles or food coloring pens (For scarves and buttons.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Clear some counter space for rolling.
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, condensed milk, powdered sugar, and most of the desiccated coconut until combined.
- Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or in the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up.
- Scoop out balls: one big and one small for each snowman.
Assembly
- Dunk each ball in melted white chocolate and place on parchment paper.
- Once slightly set, stack the smaller ball on top of the larger one to form the snowman.
- Attach mini pretzel sticks for arms and candy eyes and sprinkles for facial features.
- Allow them to finish setting before serving.
Notes
Let the kids help with decoration for extra fun. Use different candies for variations in decoration.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
Another win? You can totally involve the kids in decorating, which is rare for holiday treats since half of them are basically adult crafts with sugar. These snowmen truffles aren’t just a dessert, they’re a mini project and a party hit, all at once.
Ingredients for Snowman Truffles
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff. You don’t need a five-star pantry for this. Here’s what you’ll want:
- 2 cups of desiccated coconut (not the big flakes, go for the fine one)
- One can of sweetened condensed milk (standard size)
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened; leave it out for a bit before using)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- White chocolate chips or coating chocolate for dipping
- Mini pretzel sticks (for arms)
- Candy eyes, orange sprinkle or mini chocolate chips (for the face parts)
- Any sprinkles or food coloring pens for scarves and buttons
Grab what you have or improvise with what’s left in your pantry, holidays are all about flexibility, right?
Decorations & Tools You’ll Need (Candy Eyes, Pretzels, Food Coloring)
This is the part where things get adorable. For “faces,” you’ll need candy eyes (or a steady hand and a food coloring pen). Pretzel sticks make perfect skinny snowman arms, just snap and poke. As for the carrot nose? Orange sprinkles work wonders, but in a pinch, a chopped orange gummy can save the day. Traditional truffle tools are fine, but a fork and toothpick seriously do half the job.
Tidy tip from a lazy decorator: food coloring pens are gold. Drawing on little faces is both forgiving and fun. Plus, if your scarf drips or buttons smudge, eh, it’s “charming.” Remember, snowmen are supposed to be a little wonky-looking.
How to Make Snowman Truffles Step-by-Step
First off, clear some counter space, I always forget how much room rolling takes. Mix the cream cheese, condensed milk, powdered sugar, and most of your coconut in a bowl. It’s sticky. That’s normal! Once you’ve got a thick, rollable dough, put it in the fridge for half an hour (or get impatient and stick it in the freezer for 10 minutes like me).
Scoop out balls, one big, one small per snowman. Dunk in melted white chocolate and set them on parchment. When slightly set, stack two balls together. Stick on arms and faces as you go. Let them finish setting before serving, so your snowmen don’t look like they’re melting on the tray.
Tips for Success with No Bake Snowman Truffles
If you’ve got sweaty hands like me, wash and dry them before rolling, or get a helper. Warm hands melt things fast and that’s, uh, not ideal for snowmen. Keep your dipping chocolate warm, not hot (no one likes cracked snow coating). Don’t stress if every snowman looks different. That’s what gives them personality. The trick? Chill often. Everything is easier when it’s cold and a little firmer.
Prevent Melting and Cracking
This honestly used to frustrate me until I learned the hard way. If your coating cracks, it’s probably from temperature shock. Let the truffle balls warm slightly before dipping them in chocolate. Don’t use just-melted, burning-hot chocolate. Conversely, keep your hands off for too long or things get melty fast. I also keep an ice pack on the counter so my hands cool off quick between rolls.
How to Make Smooth, Even Truffle Balls
Here’s my not-so-secret trick: spritz your hands with a touch of water or use disposable gloves lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Roll quickly but not aggressively. If they’re too sticky, add a little more coconut, but not so much that they turn dusty. Press two different-sized balls together gently; there’s no snowman shame in a short, chubby guy either.
Kid-Friendly Decorating Tips
Bribery works. Ditch your need for perfection and set up a DIY decorating lineup. Put out little bowls of eyes, candies, and edible markers. Kids love using pretzel arms (and sneaking bites). Smaller kids? Just let them stick on eyes. Bigger ones will make the wildest snowmen. Have extra wet wipes handy for cleanup.
Variations & Flavor Options

Not a coconut fan? Weird, but okay. Try crushed cookies or graham crackers in place of coconut. If you like your snowmen truffles a little richer, throw in a bit of almond extract or hazelnut spread. You can even use crumbs for a chocolate snowman, now that’s a plot twist. For a boozy kick, sneak in a dash of rum extract for the grown-ups, maybe just don’t tell Grandma until she’s had one.
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, or Vegan Alternatives
You totally can. Use dairy-free cream cheese and a plant-based condensed milk (coconut style). If gluten is the issue, swap in gluten-free pretzel sticks. There are plenty of vegan white chocolates these days, so there’s no reason anyone gets left out.
Decoration Ideas for Christmas Snowman Treats
Dress up, snowmen! Stick on candy hats, use licorice for scarves, and write tiny messages with food pens. Sprinkles, edible glitter, or even shredded coconut “snow” underneath make a festive display. If you’re feeling wild, place the snowmen truffles inside mini paper muffin liners, everyone loves their own little “snow world.”
Make-Ahead, Storage, & Freezing Instructions
Let’s be real, last-minute baking is chaos. Make snowmen truffles up to a week ahead, and store in an airtight tin in the fridge (don’t store with onions, or you’ll have savory snowmen, ew). You can freeze finished truffles for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight if you need them for a party.
Serving Suggestions for Winter & Christmas Parties
- Arrange a snowy pile of snowman truffles on a cake stand, dust with extra coconut for that magical look.
- Give each kid their own snowman truffle as a place marker (bonus: no fussing about “mine’s bigger!”).
- If you want to get really fancy, pair these with other easy Christmas recipes or festive treats.
- These are perfect on a holiday hot chocolate bar for family night.
Party Platters, Edible Gifts & Kids Holiday Crafts
Make a tray with Christmas chocolate chip cookies, snowmen truffles, and coconut macaroons. I throw a few in cellophane bags for sweet edible gifts. For crafts, let the kids go wild with a DIY snowman truffle kit; everything’s more fun when you can play with your food.
Pair with Hot Chocolate or Christmas Desserts
Nothing beats a trio of snowmen truffles next to a cup of creamy hot cocoa. Or, build a Christmas dessert table with this Easy Grinch Dip, mini brownies, and truffles. It’s like holiday heaven.
Ingredient Substitutions & Dietary Notes
Swap what you need! Out of cream cheese? Use mascarpone, or even thick Greek yogurt (plain, of course). Allergic to coconut? Go with ground graham crackers or almond flour. Run out of candy eyes? Chocolate chips or icing dots work in a pinch.
Chocolate Won’t Set or Truffles Won’t Hold Shape
Mine flopped the first year, so don’t sweat it. If your chocolate won’t set, pop the tray in the fridge. For soft truffles, add a bit more powdered sugar. Too firm? Warm with clean hands and knead in a smidge more condensed milk.
How to Make Snowman Truffles with Kids Safely
Little hands everywhere? Have everyone wash up (lesson learned after glitter glue incident 2018). Give each kid a small batch, so no one’s reaching over each other. Supervise the dipping (hot chocolate = ouch), and let them decorate once things have cooled off. And don’t freak if things get messy. It’s half the fun.
Nutrition Information (Per Snowman Truffle)
Not a health food. These are treats, you know? One snowman truffle is roughly 120-150 calories, depending on size and toppings. Low in fiber, high in happiness.
Can I Use Shredded Coconut Instead of Desiccated?
Yes, but pulse it a bit in the food processor. Desiccated sticks better and mixes more evenly, in my experience.
Can I Make These Without Cream Cheese?
Absolutely. They’ll be a tad sweeter (add a pinch of salt to balance). Texture stays nice and soft. If you need dairy-free, you can skip it altogether or use a vegan alternative.
How Do I Store Leftover Decorations?
Well, if you didn’t eat all the candy eyes (oops), keep them in a little sealed jar or baggie, dry and room-temp. Pretzels go stale quick, so keep them in an airtight bag out of sunlight.
Bring on the Christmas Fun
So, there you have it. Snowmen truffles are foolproof, crowd-wowing, and way more fun than store-bought cookies. Whether you’re looking for a quick party snack or planning some kitchen chaos with kids, just start rolling and grinning. Go ahead and try these for your next festive gathering, and make sure to tag your creations on IG for a little friendly show-off. And if you want more holiday inspo, check out BBC Good Food’s Christmas dessert ideas for even more creative treats. Happy snowman-making!







