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These two versions of Christmas balls are an ideal choice for the festive table. They don’t need baking, are quick, striking and yet taste like a proper Christmas dessert. Zerbo balls resemble the classic pastry with apricot jam and walnuts, while the poppy seed balls with marzipan have a delicate aroma and a festive touch.
Total preparation time: 30 minutes • Servings: approx. 30 balls (15 zerbo + 15 poppy-seed)
Zerbo balls
Ingredients
- 200 g ground walnuts
- 200 g ground cookies
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 5–6 tablespoons apricot jam
- 200 g dark chocolate
- 1 tablespoon oil
- chopped walnuts for decoration
Method
- In a bowl, mix the ground walnuts, crushed cookies and powdered sugar.
- Add the apricot jam and work into a pliable dough.
- Shape small balls from the mixture.
- Melt the dark chocolate with the oil in a water bath and coat the balls in it.
- Let set on baking paper and decorate with chopped walnuts.
Poppy seed balls with marzipan
Ingredients
- 200 g ground poppy seeds
- 200 g ground cookies
- 200 ml water
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons fruit jam (e.g., cherry)
- grated lemon zest
- marzipan paste
- 200 g white chocolate
- 1 tablespoon oil
- poppy seeds for sprinkling
Method
- Heat the water with the sugar, add the poppy seeds, ground cookies, jam and lemon zest and stir until a thick mixture forms.
- Prepare small pieces of marzipan as a filling.
- Shape balls from the poppy mixture and place a piece of marzipan into the center.
- Melt the white chocolate with the oil and coat the balls in it.
- Let set on baking paper, optionally sprinkle with poppy seeds.
Conclusion
No-bake Christmas balls are a festive classic that won’t disappoint. They are compact, impressive and ideal even as an edible gift. Kept cool, they last several days and the flavor develops even more. A great solution when you need cookies at the last minute and want a quick but luxurious sweet treat.
