Whether you have done a lot of holiday baking yourself or have a lot of cookies from neighbor gifts or a cookie exchange, you might have more holiday cookies than you know what to do with. I have a few fun ideas today for ways you can use up your yummy holiday cookies before they go stale. 


1. Cookie Ball Truffles. Oreo truffles are something I love to make that are so decadent and yet SO easy. You simply mix crushed Oreos with some cream cheese and coat with melted chocolate. I think it would be so delicious to do the same concept with crushed gingerbread cookies, cream cheese and coated in white chocolate.

2. Pie Crust. Instead of using graham crackers, crush your leftover cookies for an easy and tasty pie crust. You can use any type of cookie: chocolate, gingerbread, sugar cookie, etc. They would be perfect for a no bake cheesecake or cream pie.

3. Trifle. If you have some leftover gingerbread cookies, or even leftover bits from a gingerbread house, you have the perfect components for a holiday trifle. Try a trifle with gingerbread, crystallized ginger and clementine--or you could do a trifle with a different set of holiday flavors like peppermint cookies, chocolate whipped cream and crushed candy canes. 


4. Ice Cream Sandwiches. You can easily take two leftover cookies and add some softened ice cream (or even leftover frosting, sweet spread or caramel) and make an ice cream sandwich, which is perfect for a little treat after dinner.

5. Cookie Croutons.  If you would like a little more texture and dimension to top your sundae or shake, add some “cookie croutons” for a topping you’ll want again and again. Simply cut leftover cookies into little squares and gently pan-fry them in butter and you will end up with these little cookie croutons to garnish

6. Gingerbread Tiramisu. Find a recipe online for gingerbread tiramisu and you have a tasty layered dessert that comes together in a snap. It is a dessert that is super easy to make but looks very impressive and delicious--that’s what I call a winning dessert!

7. Parfaits. You can easily whip up parfaits with leftover gingerbread cookies, whipped cream and a tasty pumpkin mousse layer. You’ll want to double your batch of gingerbread cookies next time so you can have an excuse to make this dessert again!


8. Line a Baking Pan. If you have a recipe like a cake or something that calls for greasing and flouring the bottom of your cake pan, use your leftover cookies instead of the flour by crushing them into a fine dust and sprinkling on the bottom of the greased pan. It is a great way to use up cookies and it has more flavor than flour. Just make sure to use cookie flavors that are complementary with the type of cake you’re baking.

9. Make Cookie Bars. Cookie bars typically have a crushed graham cracker crust, but you can substitute any type of crushed cookies with some melted butter for the crust of your favorite cookie bar recipe.

Do you have any other ideas for ways to use up leftover holiday cookies? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.