Swedish Chocolate Balls: CHOKLADBOLLAR

The other night I went to a holiday party where my friend Sue Trowbridge was in attendance. It was a great party with wonderful food, of course, but to add to my chocolate experience, Sue brought her amazing Chokladbollar, a special Swedish holiday treat! I had posted her recipe several years ago, but there's nothing like tasting these Swedish Chocolate Balls again to remind me how great they are. Sue told me that she actually used a different recipe this year! Sue was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and grew up in the U.S. She has maintained her interest in Swedish culture, food, and traditions. This new recipe was enhanced due to the use of specific Swedish ingredients. You can buy them at Nordic House in Berkeley or online. Or use what you have...just not authentically Swedish.

Sue Trowbridge: Chokladbollar

This is a no-bake recipe, and it’s super easy and fun for kids.

You’ll need 10-1/2 tablespoons of softened butter and 1+ cups of sugar. Stir them together well — this step requires strong arms!

The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of strong coffee (liquid). I rarely make coffee at home — I’m mainly a tea gal — but luckily, my parents had left some in the freezer so I had some on hand. Of course, rum is an excellent alternative!

Add the coffee, a teaspoon of vanilla sugar, and 3 tablespoons of cocoa to the butter/sugar mixture.

Add 1 3/4 cups of rolled oats. Stir, stir, stir!

The result looks a little bit like my mom’s Swedish meatball mixture.

Using 1 teaspoon of mixture at a time, roll into small balls. Roll these in coconu or Swedish pearl sugar, coating well. It will make your hands extremely greasy and messy!

The result. You will want to eat them immediately, but don’t — stick ‘em in the fridge for an hour or two, or, in a pinch, the freezer for about half an hour.

I made these to bring to a holiday party, and they disappeared quickly, but then again, so did pretty much everything. Still, I like to imagine that the people who managed to get one enjoyed it.

Here is the recipe in full:

Chokladbollar: Swedish Chocolate Balls

Ingredients
150 g (10 1/2 tablespoons) butter, room temperature
1½ dl (1 cup plus two tablespoons) granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla sugar, or substitute vanilla extract
2 tablespoons cold, strong coffee or rum
4 dl (1 3/4 cup) rolled oats

Directions
Combine the butter and sugar. I used to do this by hand until I finally got a stand mixer, which makes it WAY easier.
Add the cocoa, vanilla, coffee or rum, and oats.
Form into round balls and roll them in coconut or Swedish pearl sugar (http://bakingbites.com/2010/02/what-is-pearl-sugar/).
Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.

Recipe: https://www.arla.se/recept/chokladbollar/

CHOCOLATE CAKE MIX COOKIES: Guest post by Sue Trowbridge

My friend Sue knows I'm always looking for new chocolate recipes, and with the holidays upon us, she sent me this guest post! What an easy recipe!

Sue Trowbridge:
Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

I baked some cookies on Saturday and brought a dozen over to a friend's house the next day. When she told me how much she'd enjoyed them and asked me for the recipe, I realized I had no choice but to admit just how easy they are to make -- all you need is a box of cake mix and a few other ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen! Then I decided it would be fun to share with anyone who might be looking for a super-simple recipe to try during this busy season.

The recipe is from Betty Crocker, and I used their Supermoist Chocolate Fudge Cake variety.

Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

Ingredients
1 box chocolate cake mix (18.25 ounce box)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Directions
Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). In large bowl, mix cake mix, oil, vanilla and eggs with spoon until dough forms.
Refrigerate dough 15 to 30 minutes or as needed for easier handling. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar. On ungreased cookie sheets, place balls about 2 inches apart.
Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Store tightly covered.

Swedish Chocolate Balls: Chokladbollar

Here's a post and super easy chocolate holiday recipe from my friend Sue Trowbridge. Sue was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and grew up in the U.S. She has maintained her interest in Swedish culture, food and traditions. Sue does web and ebook design.

Sue Trowbridge: Chokladbollar

This is a no-bake recipe, and it’s super easy and fun for kids. I used to make these when I was a youngster. Oh, and before you ask, no, these are not related to another Christmas treat, Schweddy Balls.

You’ll need 7 tablespoons of softened butter and 2/3 cup of sugar. Stir them together well — this step requires strong arms!

The recipe calls for a tablespoon of strong coffee (liquid). I rarely make coffee at home — I’m mainly a tea gal — but luckily, my parents had left some in the freezer so I had some on hand.

Add the coffee, a teaspoon of vanilla and two tablespoons of cocoa to the butter/sugar mixture.

Add 1 1/3 cup of quick oats. Stir, stir, stir!

The result looks a little bit like my mom’s Swedish meatball mixture.

Using 1 teaspoon of mixture at a time, roll into small balls. Roll these in coconut, coating well. It will make your hands extremely greasy and messy, which meant I had to stop in the middle and wash my hands so I could take this picture. It can be difficult to serve as both chef and photographer!

The result. You will want to eat them immediately, but don’t — stick ‘em in the fridge for an hour or two, or, in a pinch, the freezer for about half an hour.

I made these to bring to a holiday party, and they disappeared quickly, but then again, so did pretty much everything. Still, I like to imagine that the people who managed to get one enjoyed it. I’m still annoyed that I missed out on my friend Trish’s chocolate bark with Australian sea salt because I didn’t get to the dessert table quickly enough…

Here is the recipe in full:

Chokladbollar

7 Tbsp butter
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 Tbsp strong coffee (liquid)
2 Tbsp cocoa
1 1/3 cups quick oats
1/2 cup coconut for coating

Cream butter and sugar. Stir in vanilla, coffee, cocoa, and oats. Mix well. Using 1 teaspoon of mixture at a time, roll into small balls. Roll these in coconut, coating well. Refrigerate. Makes about 30.

Swedish Chocolate Balls: Chokladbollar

Here's a post and super easy chocolate holiday recipe from my friend Sue Trowbridge. Sue was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and grew up in the U.S., but she has maintained her interest in Swedish culture, food and traditions. She now does web and ebook design in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Sue Trowbridge: Chokladbollar

This is a no-bake recipe, and it’s super easy and fun for kids. I used to make these when I was a youngster. Oh, and before you ask, no, these are not related to another Christmas treat, Schweddy Balls.

You’ll need 7 tablespoons of softened butter and 2/3 cup of sugar. Stir them together well — this step requires strong arms!

The recipe calls for a tablespoon of strong coffee (liquid). I rarely make coffee at home — I’m mainly a tea gal — but luckily, my parents had left some in the freezer so I had some on hand.

Add the coffee, a teaspoon of vanilla and two tablespoons of cocoa to the butter/sugar mixture.

Add 1 1/3 cup of quick oats. Stir, stir, stir!

The result looks a little bit like my mom’s Swedish meatball mixture.

Using 1 teaspoon of mixture at a time, roll into small balls. Roll these in coconut, coating well. It will make your hands extremely greasy and messy, which meant I had to stop in the middle and wash my hands so I could take this picture. It can be difficult to serve as both chef and photographer!

The result. You will want to eat them immediately, but don’t — stick ‘em in the fridge for an hour or two, or, in a pinch, the freezer for about half an hour.

I made these to bring to a holiday party, and they disappeared quickly, but then again, so did pretty much everything. Still, I like to imagine that the people who managed to get one enjoyed it. I’m still annoyed that I missed out on my friend Trish’s chocolate bark with Australian sea salt because I didn’t get to the dessert table quickly enough…

Here is the recipe in full:

Chokladbollar

7 Tbsp butter
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 Tbsp strong coffee (liquid)
2 Tbsp cocoa
1 1/3 cups quick oats
1/2 cup coconut for coating

Cream butter and sugar. Stir in vanilla, coffee, cocoa and oats. Mix well. Using 1 teaspoon of mixture at a time, roll into small balls. Roll these in coconut, coating well. Refrigerate. Makes about 30.