Gingerbread Truffles are spicy bite-sized confections, not really a candy and not really a cookie, made of baked gingerbread mixed with cream cheese frosting, then wrapped in a blanket of chocolate. A drool-worthy sweet treat for holiday entertaining.
Homemade truffles for the holiday season
If there’s one treat that can wrap up all the cozy holiday flavors into a single bite, it’s these Gingerbread Truffles! They’re soft, rich, and spiced just right with a creamy center and a decadent chocolate coating.
Perfect for holiday parties, edible gifts, or just a little festive indulgence, truffles are sure to bring a bit of cheer to anyone who tastes them.
And if you can't get enough of these sweet little balls try my other fave flavors: Key Lime Truffles, Kahlua Truffles, and Champagne White Chocolate Truffles.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect Holiday Flavor - These truffles are packed with gingerbread spices and have the flavors of the Christmas season in every bite. They’re perfect for cozying up with during the colder months.
Easy and Fun Recipe - There's no fancy equipment, they’re so simple to make, and decorating can be a load of fun!
Great for Gifting - Homemade gifts are always special, and these truffles make a wonderful present for friends, family, or the gingerbread lover in your life.
Creamy, Rich Texture - Thanks to the cream cheese frosting, these truffles have a creamy, soft interior that perfectly balances the rich chocolate coating.
Ingredients you'll need
This truffle recipe brings together a few key holiday ingredients to make the perfect holiday treat:
Gingerbread Cake – The base of these truffles, gingerbread cake adds a rich, spiced flavor to each bite. Use store-bought or make your own homemade gingerbread.
Cream Cheese – Adds richness and creaminess to the frosting and helps hold the truffles together.
Butter – Softens up the frosting and adds a creamy, slightly salty note that complements the sweet spices.
Eggnog or Vanilla Extract – A splash of eggnog adds a festive, seasonal flavor but, if you can't find eggnog, vanilla extract works just as well.
Powdered Sugar – Sweetens the frosting while keeping it smooth.
Semi-Sweet or Dark Chocolate Bar – Used for coating the truffles, semi-sweet or dark chocolate pairs well with the gingerbread spices.
White Chocolate Bar (Optional) – Drizzle over the dark chocolate or use it as an alternative coating.
Holiday Sprinkles (Optional) – Perfect for decorating and adding a pop of color and holiday flair.
How to make gingerbread truffles
- Place room temperature, softened cream cheese and butter in the large bowl of your electric mixer.
- Cream until nice and light. Continue beating while adding eggnog or vanilla extract.
- Lower the speed of the mixer and add the powdered sugar, a little at a time.
- Increase the speed of the mixer and beat until light and glossy.
- The frosting should have a nice spreadable consistency.
- Crumble the baked gingerbread with your fingers.
- Add 2 tablespoons of frosting to the crumbled gingerbread. Continue to add a tablespoon at a time until the truffle filling holds together when pinched with your fingers.
- Using a small cookie scoop, scoop then roll them in your palms to create small balls..
- Place balls on a silicone or parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze or chill the truffle dough in the refrigerator for an hour or two.
- Place chopped chocolate in a tall microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup. Melt chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in-between until smooth.
- Stick a toothpick in each gingerbread ball and dip it into the melted chocolate (dark or white). Place on a parchment or wax paper lined cookie sheet. Immediately add sprinkles if desired.
You can also drizzle the dark chocolate-covered balls with white chocolate then add the sprinkles. Don't they look so pretty and Christmassy? Add it to your holiday baking this year and indulge your sweet tooth. Enjoy!
Recipe tips for success
Chill the Truffle Mixture – Cooling the truffle balls in the refrigerator makes them easier to dip and helps them hold their shape.
Work Quickly with Chocolate – Once the chocolate is melted, move quickly to coat each truffle and sprinkle with decorations before the chocolate hardens.
Use High-Quality Chocolate – This will ensure a smooth, glossy coating that’s easy to work with and tastes great.
Adjust the Frosting – Add the cream cheese frosting gradually, just until the mixture holds together well enough to roll.
Recipe variations for customizing the truffles
Make these delicious Gingerbread Truffles your own with a few easy swaps and variations:
Gingerbread Cake Pops – Turn these easy gingerbread truffles into festive cake pops! Simply insert lollipop sticks into each truffle before chilling them. After coating in chocolate, stand them upright in a styrofoam block or lay them on parchment paper to set.
Switch the Chocolate Coating – Use white chocolate for a milder, sweeter coating, or alternate between dark and white chocolate for a festive mix.
Peppermint Twist – Crush a few peppermint candies and sprinkle them on top of the chocolate coating for a gingerbread-peppermint combo.
Gingerbread Cookie Crumbs – Use crumbled gingerbread cookies instead of sprinkles for gingerbread flavor inside and out.
How to Store and Freeze
Once your Gingerbread Truffles are set, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
If you’d like to save them for longer, these truffles freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray to freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They’ll last in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply let them thaw in the refrigerator.
Frequently asked questions about truffles
What's the best chocolate for truffles?
I like to use semi-sweet or dark chocolate which makes a richer chocolate. You can also use milk chocolate for a sweeter version but the milk will have to be reduced due to the softer nature of the chocolate.
How long will truffles last?
Mine never last very long in my house but they will keep for 1 week in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Do I need to refrigerate truffles?
Most truffles do not need to be refrigerated but they must be kept at a cool room temperature and away from sunlight. The exception is if there is cream or cream cheese in the mixture. If there is, they should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container or plastic zip-top bag. This will keep the excess moisture from ruining your delicious treat.
More Christmas candy recipes
Caramel Fudge is an easy 2-ingredient fudge recipe with a rich, smooth, and amazing flavor! And it only takes 10 minutes to whip up!
Chocolate Covered Toffee is cooked up quickly in the microwave then topped with dark chocolate and sprinkled with pecans and sea salt. It’s a sweet & salty combination that’s perfect for a snack or as a holiday gift.
Microwave Peanut Brittle is a quick and easy recipe, cuts the time to make it in half, and comes out perfect every time! Great for snacking and as a delicious homemade holiday gift!
S'mores Christmas Crack has all the deliciousness of s’mores wrapped up in a Christmas Crack package. Great for a snack and holiday gifts too!
Stroopwafel Chocolate Fudge is a smooth, rich, and creamy treat that takes only 10 minutes to make. Great for holiday tins and a homemade gift right from your kitchen.
Find the best recipes for Christmas right here on 2CM!
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Gingerbread Truffles
Ingredients
- 1 homemade baked gingerbread cake or store bought
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 Tablespoons butter softened
- 1 Tablespoon eggnog or ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 3.5 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate bar
- 3.5 ounces white chocolate bar optional
Instructions
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cream butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Continue beating and add eggnog or vanilla extract.
- Turn mixer to lower setting and add in confectioner’s sugar, a little at a time.
- Turn mixer to a higher speed and whip until fluffy.
To assemble
- Crumble gingerbread with fingers until you have very small pieces
- Add 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese frosting and add more as needed so that gingerbread will roll into a ball and hold its shape. (I added about 4 tablespoons)
- Form into small balls by rolling in hands and place on a parchment or silicone mat lined cookie sheet.
- Place in refrigerator for about an hour to make them easier to work with.
Chocolate Coating
- Break semi-sweet or dark chocolate bar into small pieces and place in microwave safe bowl or measuring cup.
- Microwave on high in 30-second increments, stirring in-between, until completely melted.
- Remove gingerbread from refrigerator and dip each gingerbread ball into chocolate. I found it was easier to use a spoon and just drop in and scoop out with spoon.
- If you are decorating with sprinkles, sprinkle immediately upon removal from chocolate.
- Continue until all balls have been coated.
- At this point you can also melt white chocolate and drizzle over the dark chocolate then apply sprinkles. This is totally optional. You can also coat gingerbread with only white chocolate if that is your preference.
Notes
Nutrition
This post has been updated with more helpful information. It was first published on December 23, 2018.
