Fun Thanksgiving Treat: #OREOCookieBalls Little Turkeys!

This #OREOCookieBalls shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

I am more of a cook than a baker.  Have you noticed how people seem to be one or the other?  I like to throw ingredients in without measuring and the precision of baking intimidates me.  That being said, OREO cookies are my weakness and I have been seeing seasonal OREO balls all over Pinterest: Easter eggs, pumpkins, flag themed, you name it.  They are too cute, but I assumed they were complicated.  WRONG!

Three ingredients and with the help of microwavable chocolate, these can be finished in less than 15 minutes.  You do need to allow time for chilling, but these are super simple and kid friendly!  A bit messy, yes, but the girls would love to help make the cute turkey faces.  (I call my girls "little turkeys", so I thought these would be a perfect Thanksgiving treat for them to enjoy). I searched high and low for candy eyes at Walmart, but they were nowhere to be found... I improvised with mini OREO cookies.

(Side note: I had all intentions of letting the girls help me with this recipe, but we have some major flu bugs floating around this house--boogies and baking don't mix!)

What I love the most about this recipe is that it is really easy to customize.  You don't have to do pops like I did, just add festive sprinkles.  Or they are really cute served in mini-cupcake liners. For a fun family activity, get a few dishes of toppers out and let your kids decorate them however they want! Instead of turkey, owls would be cute too.

Pumpkin Spiced OREO Cookie Balls

Here's what you need: 

• 1 package (8 oz.) brick Philadelphia light cream cheese, softened
• 1 package of Pumpkin Spiced OREO cookies, crushed
• Can't find the pumpkin spiced? Try golden OREOs with a dash of pumpkin spice seasoning
• 2 packages Bakers microwavable milk chocolate
• Optional ingredients to "turkey-fy" the balls: Mini OREO cookies for eyes (or candy eyes), candy corn for feathers and candy pop sticks

Make it!

• MIX cream cheese and cookie crumbs until blended. I found a fork was super helpful. 
• SHAPE into 1-inch balls. Freeze 10 min. While waiting, melt chocolate in the microwave.
• DIP balls in melted chocolate; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan. For pops, be sure to add the stick BEFORE dipping.
• CUSTOMIZE it with your own ingredient additions! 
• Fall colored sprinkles would be perfect!
• For my turkey faces (make sure to add while chocolate is melted!): add cookie eyes and feathers after dipping.
• REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm.

Have you tried OREO balls before? I have a feeling I'm going to be addicted!