No-bake Christmas balls: Two varieties from one festive table

No-bake Christmas cookies are an ideal choice when you want to delight at the festive table without spending time at the oven. These two types of balls share simple preparation, a beautiful appearance, and an irresistible taste. One variant recalls the well-known Hungarian dessert Gerbeaud (nuts, apricots, chocolate), the other brings the delicacy of poppy seeds and marzipan with a typically Christmas aroma.

Quick facts

• Servings: approx. 40 balls (2 × 20 pieces)
• Preparation time: 30 minutes
• Setting time: 60 minutes
• Total time: 90 minutes

Ingredients

Walnut-apricot balls

• 200 g ground walnuts
• 200 g ground butter cookies
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 5–6 tablespoons apricot jam
• 200 g dark chocolate
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• chopped walnuts or white chocolate for decoration

Poppy balls with marzipan

• 200 g ground poppy seeds
• 200 g ground butter cookies
• 200 ml water
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons fruit jam (cherry, sour cherry)
• grated zest of 1 lemon
• approx. 100 g marzipan paste
• 200 g white chocolate
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• ground poppy seeds for sprinkling
• remaining dark chocolate for decoration

Method

Walnut-apricot balls

1. In a bowl, mix the ground walnuts, crushed cookies, and powdered sugar.
2. Add the apricot jam and work into a firm, pliable mass.
3. Shape into small balls and chill briefly to set.
4. Melt the chocolate with the oil over a double boiler and dip the balls into it.
5. Let set on baking paper and decorate with nuts or white chocolate.

Poppy balls with marzipan

1. In a small saucepan, heat the water with the sugar.
2. Add the ground poppy seeds, cookies, jam, and lemon zest, stirring until combined.
3. Form small marzipan balls to serve as the filling center.
4. Shape the poppy mixture around the marzipan into balls.
5. Melt the white chocolate with the oil and coat the balls in it.
6. Decorate by sprinkling poppy seeds or with strips of dark chocolate.
7. Let set in the refrigerator.

Conclusion

These Christmas balls are the kind of treats worth preparing in advance – when chilled they keep for several days and the flavors will meld even more. The walnut-apricot variant will please lovers of traditional tastes, while the poppy-marzipan balls will captivate with their delicacy and aroma, evoking some of the loveliest Christmas moments. They make a great addition to the Christmas plate, adorn the festive table, and also make a delightful edible gift.