Festive beads

Festive Balls

These festive balls are a true delicacy, perfect for adding a touch of magic to your winter holidays. The recipe is not only simple but also no-bake, meaning you can enjoy a delicious dessert without much effort. Ideal to be given as a personalized gift or to be enjoyed with loved ones, this recipe will delight you with every bite.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Resting time: 12 hours (ideally overnight)
Number of servings: Approximately 20 balls

Ingredients:

- 50 g walnuts
- 50 g hazelnuts
- 50 g pistachios
- 50 g almonds
- 200 g mixed dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, dried cherries, etc.)
- 30 g powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
- 3 tablespoons rum or cognac (or orange/apple juice for a non-alcoholic version)

For decoration:
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa
- 50 g melted chocolate

Recipe history:
Festive balls are inspired by holiday culinary traditions, where sweets made from dried fruits and nuts are a popular choice. These delights have evolved over time, becoming a beloved alternative to traditional cakes. The rich flavor and texture of dried fruits combined with the crunch of nuts create a perfect contrast, and a splash of alcohol adds a sophisticated note.

Step by step:

1. Preparing the ingredients:
Make sure you have all the ingredients at hand. Choose quality dried fruits for an intense taste. Raisins, apricots, and dried cherries are excellent options. You can choose your favorites or try a combination.

2. Grinding the nuts:
Place the walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, and almonds in a food processor. Blend them until you achieve a homogeneous texture, but not too fine. It’s more pleasant to feel the nut pieces in the balls, so stop before turning them into powder.

3. Mixing the ingredients:
Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the mixed dried fruits, powdered sugar, maple syrup (or honey), and rum or cognac. If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, orange or apple juice is an excellent choice. Mix the ingredients well with a spatula until everything is well incorporated.

4. Resting the mixture:
After obtaining a homogeneous mass, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours. This step is essential to allow the flavors to develop and to achieve the ideal consistency.

5. Forming the balls:
The next day, take the mixture out of the refrigerator. Using a teaspoon, form balls from the mixture and place them on a platter. You can make balls of your desired size, but a diameter of 2-3 cm is ideal.

6. Decorating the balls:
Choose your preferred decoration method. You can roll them in powdered sugar, cocoa, or coat them in melted chocolate. If you choose chocolate, make sure to let it cool slightly before coating the balls to avoid melting.

7. Cooling:
After decorating the balls, place them on a tray and let them cool. If using chocolate, it will harden and create a crunchy layer.

Serving and gifting suggestion:
These festive balls are perfect for serving at holiday meals, alongside a cup of aromatic tea or mulled wine. Nicely arranged in a decorative box, they make a wonderful gift for friends and family.

Practical tips:
- You can vary the ingredients according to your preferences: replace pistachios with macadamia nuts or almonds with pecans for different flavors.
- If you want to add a citrus note, you can include grated orange or lemon zest in the mixture.
- The balls can be kept in the refrigerator for a few weeks, so you can prepare them in advance.

Calories and nutritional benefits:
These festive balls offer an excellent mix of nutrients, being high in healthy fats from nuts, fiber from dried fruits, and a natural source of energy. One ball contains approximately 70 calories, so it's best to enjoy them in moderation, although it's hard to stop after just one!

Now it's time to get started! Enjoy the cooking process and let your creativity shine. Good thoughts and happy baking!