If you’re looking for a holiday treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’ve got to try this Grinch Christmas Cake Bites Recipe. I absolutely love how these festive little bites capture the whimsical spirit of the Grinch with their bright green coating and sweet red heart decorations. When I first made them, my family went crazy — they’re bite-sized, perfectly moist, and just the right balance of cream cheese and cookie crunch. Stick around and I’ll walk you through all the tips and tricks to get these little gems just right for your holiday celebrations.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festively Fun: These cake bites are as cute as they are delicious, perfect for holiday parties and gift-giving.
- Easy No-Bake Process: You don’t have to be a pro baker to whip these up, and they come together quickly with no oven required.
- Perfect Bite Size: Just one or two is enough to satisfy your sweet tooth without overdoing it.
- Customizable Flavors: The recipe is a great base to tweak with your favorite cookies or chocolate colors, making it versatile for any holiday vibe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To get that classic Grinch green color and rich, creamy texture, the ingredients are super simple yet perfectly complementary. I love using Chips Ahoy Chewy Red Velvet cookies because their deep red hue pops wonderfully when coated in green chocolate – it really brings the Grinch theme to life!

- Chips Ahoy Chewy Red Velvet cookies: For that perfect red velvet flavor and chewy texture that blends well with cream cheese.
- Cream cheese: Make sure it’s room temperature to get that smooth, creamy base for your cake bites.
- White chocolate chips: Divided use here — melting most for dipping and some for drizzling to add that festive detail.
- Green food coloring gel: Gel works best for vibrant color without watering down your chocolate.
- Red heart sprinkles: A sweet finishing touch that’s reminiscent of the Grinch’s heart — perfect for holiday charm.
Variations
One of the things I love about this Grinch Christmas Cake Bites Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Feel free to play around with different cookie flavors or add a little extra sparkle by mixing in your favorite sprinkles or edible glitter. It’s your perfect party treat, so make it truly yours!
- Cookie Swap: I once swapped red velvet for mint chocolate cookies and added a drop of peppermint extract – it was delicious and totally festive.
- Vegan Adaptation: Try using vegan cream cheese and dairy-free white chocolate chips to suit plant-based diets.
- Colorful Touches: Switch up the food coloring—red or gold coatings work wonderfully for different holiday themes.
How to Make Grinch Christmas Cake Bites Recipe
Step 1: Crush Those Cookies
Start by pulsing your Chewy Red Velvet cookies in a food processor until you get fine crumbs. This is key because you want a nice even texture without big chunks that could make rolling tricky. If you don’t have a food processor, toss the cookies into a sealed plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin—just make sure the crumbs get nice and fine.
Step 2: Mix with Cream Cheese
Beat your softened cream cheese in a stand mixer until smooth and creamy, then add those cookie crumbs. Mix on medium speed until everything’s well combined—this makes a thick dough that’s easy to shape. If the mix feels too sticky, chill it for a bit before rolling.
Step 3: Roll and Chill Your Cake Bites
Using a tablespoon measure, scoop the dough and roll it into balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Placing them on a parchment-lined rack helps with even coating later on. After rolling, pop them into the fridge to firm up for at least 2 hours — this step is crucial to keep their shape when dipping.
Step 4: Melt and Color the Chocolate
Set up a double boiler by placing a heatproof bowl over simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Melt two packages of the white chocolate chips, stirring until smooth. Then add green food coloring gel, starting with one drop and adding more until you get that iconic Grinchy green. The gel keeps your chocolate thick and vibrant.
Step 5: Dip the Cake Bites
Using a fork, dip each chilled cake bite into the green chocolate, letting the excess drip off before setting it back on the rack. You can give them a second dip for an extra thick coat if you like. Pop them back in the fridge to set — this usually takes about 30 minutes.
Step 6: Drizzle and Decorate
Clean the bowl, melt the remaining package of white chocolate chips using your double boiler again, and mix in green food coloring until your desired shade is achieved. If the chocolate is too thick to drizzle, add a tablespoon of hot water at a time until it gets a nice drizzling consistency. Transfer to a piping bag or a snipped plastic bag corner and drizzle over the coated cake bites. Before the drizzle sets, top each one with a red heart sprinkle to mimic the Grinch’s heart growing bigger. So cute!
Pro Tips for Making Grinch Christmas Cake Bites Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: When I tried with cold cream cheese, the mixture was lumpy and hard to roll. Let it soften for smooth mixing.
- Don’t Skip the Chill Time: Chilling the cake bites gives them firmness so they hold their shape and dip nicely without melting or breaking.
- Double Boiler Magic: Melting chocolate over simmering water helps avoid burning and keeps the chocolate silky smooth for dipping.
- Less Is More with Food Coloring: Too much green can make your chocolate thick and hard; add color gradually to keep that perfect dip consistency.
How to Serve Grinch Christmas Cake Bites Recipe

Garnishes
I usually go classic and finish them with adorable red heart sprinkles because they not only enhance the Grinch story but add a pop of color and a bit of crunch. Sometimes, I like to swap in mini holly leaf sprinkles or even edible glitter for a little extra holiday sparkle that impresses guests.
Side Dishes
Since these bites are rich, I pair them with light, refreshing options like a crisp citrus fruit salad or mint-infused iced tea. They also go great alongside coffee or hot chocolate, especially when you want a sweet kick to a cozy winter gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
I once arranged them on a holiday platter with red and green cupcake liners and tucked little fake pine branches around for that festive forest feel—everyone kept asking me how I made such a creative display! Another fun idea is to place them in clear treat bags tied with ribbon and gift them to neighbors or coworkers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cake bites in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh. They stay perfectly moist and the chocolate coating remains firm for up to 5 days. Just bring them to room temperature before serving so the flavors can shine.
Freezing
Freezing works beautifully if you want to make these ahead for a party. I freeze mine in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a sealed freezer bag to avoid sticking. When you’re ready, thaw them in the fridge overnight to keep the texture and appearance intact.
Reheating
I usually let thawed Grinch Cake Bites sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. Because they’re no-bake and coated in chocolate, they don’t need reheating — just make sure they’re not too cold to enjoy their creamy center fully.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of cookies for the Grinch Christmas Cake Bites Recipe?
Absolutely! While I love the red velvet cookies for their color and flavor, you can use any chewy cookie you like. Just pick something with enough flavor and texture to balance the cream cheese, such as chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, or even peppermint cookies for a holiday twist.
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What kind of green food coloring is best?
I recommend using gel food coloring because it gives you vivid color without thinning your melted chocolate, which can happen with liquid food coloring. A little goes a long way, so add it gradually until you get that vibrant Grinch green!
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How long do Grinch Christmas Cake Bites stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these cake bites stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. Just pull them out a bit before serving so they lose some chill and soften.
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Can I make these ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prepare the bites, coat, and decorate them a day or two before your event. Keep them refrigerated until ready to serve, or freeze for longer storage. Just thaw them in the fridge overnight if frozen.
Final Thoughts
This Grinch Christmas Cake Bites Recipe has become one of my go-to holiday desserts because it’s playful, made with simple ingredients, and always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it lets you channel your festive creativity with colors and decorations without any fuss. Next time you want a show-stopping holiday treat, whip these up — I promise you’ll be as hooked as I am!
Print
Grinch Christmas Cake Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 3 hrs
- Yield: 36 cake bites
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Grinchy Christmas Cake Bites are festive, bite-sized treats made from red velvet cookie crumbs and cream cheese, dipped in vibrant green white chocolate and adorned with red heart sprinkles. Perfect for holiday parties, these no-bake delights offer a rich and creamy texture with a festive twist.
Ingredients
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
- Prepare the Cookie Crumbs: Place a wire rack on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Put the red velvet cookies into a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form, creating the base for the cake bites.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Crumbs: In the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room-temperature cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth. Add the cookie crumbs and mix until well combined into a uniform dough.
- Shape the Balls: Use a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon to scoop out the dough. Roll each scoop into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Arrange the balls on the prepared wire rack and refrigerate until cold and firm, about 2 hours.
- Melt White Chocolate (First Portion): Set a medium-sized heatproof bowl over a pot of barely simmering water, ensuring the bowl bottom doesn’t touch the water. Reserve 1 package of white chocolate chips. Place the remaining 2 packages into the bowl and stir continuously until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Color the Chocolate: Add 1 drop of green food coloring gel to the melted chocolate and stir. Add more drops as needed to reach the desired vibrant green color.
- Dip the Cake Bites: Using a fork, dip each chilled ball into the green white chocolate, letting excess drip off. Return coated balls to the wire rack to set. If desired, apply a second coat for a thicker chocolate shell. Refrigerate the coated bites until set, about 30 minutes. Clean the bowl and keep your double boiler setup ready for the next step.
- Melt Remaining White Chocolate: Using the double boiler, melt the reserved 1 package (12 oz.) of white chocolate chips, stirring until smooth and glossy, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Color and Thin the Drizzle: Add 1 drop of green food coloring gel to the melted white chocolate and stir. 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 drizzling consistency. Transfer the chocolate to a plastic or piping bag and snip off the tip.
- Decorate with Drizzle and Sprinkles: Drizzle the green chocolate over the coated cake bites to create festive stripes. Before the drizzle sets, top each bite with a red heart sprinkle for a cheerful holiday look.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature to achieve a smooth mixture.
- Be cautious not to let water touch the white chocolate during melting to prevent seizing.
- The size of the cake bites can be adjusted but will affect the number of servings.
- Store cake bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For easier dipping, chill the dough balls very well until firm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake bite
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg


