No Bake Cookie Dough Snowmen Food

NO-BAKE OREO TRUFFLE SNOWMEN

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Process the cookies in a food processor to fine crumbs. Transfer to a medium bowl and add the cream cheese. Stir and work with a wooden spoon until smooth and completely combined.
• Roll about two-thirds of the mixture into 16 balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and put on the prepared baking sheet. Roll the remaining mixture into 16 smaller balls (about 1 teaspoon each). Freeze until just beginning to firm up, about 15 minutes.
• Press a small truffle onto each large truffle to make snowmen, then press a lollipop stick through the top of each snowman so that it sits up with the stick coming out of the head (it's ok if the truffles crack during this step; just form them back together with your fingers). Put the baking sheet in the freezer while you heat the melting wafers.
• Microwave the melting wafers and 1 teaspoon coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl on 50 percent power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted. (Alternatively, melt in a double boiler.) Add another teaspoon of coconut oil if the mixture is too thick.
• Holding a snowman by the stick, dip it into the white coating mixture to coat completely, letting as much excess drip off as possible. Return to the baking sheet. While the coating is still wet, press an orange candy onto the head for a nose. Press 2 mini candy-coated chocolates onto the sides of the head for earmuffs. Repeat with the remaining snowmen. Refrigerate until the coating is set, about 5 minutes.
• Wrap a sour belt strip around the neck of each snowman, using a dot of the coating mixture as glue to secure it.
• Combine the chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon coconut oil and 1/2 teaspoon black food coloring in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted. Transfer to a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag and snip off the corner. Pipe on the eyes and a band connecting the earmuffs over the top of each head. Pipe 3 buttons down the front of each snowman's body. Refrigerate until completely set, about 10 minutes.

MERINGUE SNOWMEN

Steps:

• Position the oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 225 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fit a large pastry bag with a plain 1/3-inch diameter round pastry tip.
• Combine the egg whites, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer set over a pan of simmering water over medium heat. Whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is too warm to comfortably hold your finger in it for more than a couple of seconds, about 1 1/2 minutes. (The mixture should feel completely smooth when rubbed between your fingertips and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the whites should read 140 degrees F.) Attach the bowl to the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Starting on low and gradually increasing to medium-high speed, whisk until stiff peaks form. Continue mixing until the mixture is fluffy, glossy and only slightly warm to the touch, about 4 minutes.
• Fill the prepared pastry bag with the meringue. On the lined baking sheet, pipe a 1 1/3-inch dollop for the snowman's base, then pipe a smaller mound on top and then another smaller mound on top of that to form the base, torso and head of the snowman, lifting the tip at the end to leave a peak of meringue on the head (this will be the snowman's hat). Pipe about forty snowmen in this manner, leaving at least 1 inch between them. Bake until the snowmen are dry enough to easily release from the parchment, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Turn off the oven and let the snowmen sit inside it for another 3 hours or overnight to dry completely.
• Fit a small pastry bag with a #1 or #2 plain pastry tip. Place the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave, stirring every 20 seconds, until just melted. Dip the tips of the snowmen's heads in the chocolate to form chocolate "hats". Transfer the remaining chocolate to the pastry bag, and pipe faces and buttons on the snowmen.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Microwave the flour in a small microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute. Remove and stir well. Microwave for an additional minute or until the temperature reaches 180 degrees F. Sift into a medium bowl, then whisk in the baking soda and salt (see Cook's Note).
• Beat the brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, yogurt and vanilla extract with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until well combined, about 2 minutes. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until well incorporated. (Turn off the beaters and use your hands to help combine if needed.) Fold in the chocolate chips with a rubber spatula or mix them in with your hands.
• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.