Danish Oat Cocoa Balls
Here on this page I would like to share another great and very traditional Danish recipe. These Danish Oat Cocoa Balls are something I clearly remember from my childhood and that I used to make them as often as my mother allowed me. The recipe is very popular in Denmark especially among kids - I guess it is because they are so easy to make and because they are very delicious.
Even though, these cocoa balls are partly based on oats they still contains butter and are therefore of course still not healthy and should be considered a dessert. Just remember this, when your kids are begging you to make more of these small treats. In Denmark we call these cocoa balls Havregrynskugler which is simply just translated into Oats Balls< These cocoa balls are typically eaten as a snack when having a cup of coffee or tea. Of course, they are also great as a dessert/snack when watching shows or movies on the TV. They are often made and served during the Christmas time.
The Rolling Part
What I remember from my childhood, when making these cocoa balls, is how much I loved to roll these small bite-sized balls in-between my hands. And after the rolling part of the cocoa balls it was time for the decoration which involved more rolling. These cocoa balls can be decorated in many different ways, which I have described just below.
Decoration
Traditionally, these oat cocoa balls are decorated with coconut flakes. This is simply done by rolling the sticky cocoa balls in a pile of coconut flakes - simple, fun to do and very delicious. Coconut flakes just adds a great taste to the oats and cocoa, a great combination. Another great decoration, you can use is crispy chocolate chips or flakes. They just makes the cocoa balls even more chocolate-like.
I can also recommend using all kinds of different finely or coarsely chopped nuts. Dried and chopped fruit is also great. Basically, it is just up to yourself and your imagination and, of course, your preferences. However, if you want to make the most traditional Danish Oat Cocoa Balls you simply just use coconut flakes.
Instructions
It is super easy to make these cocoa balls, which is also way they are so popular among kids. In a large bowl, you simply just mix together all ingredients into a sticky dough. Then roll small cocoa balls in your hands and cover them in coconut flakes. That it, super simple!
Ingredients
- 150 g instant oats (5.5 oz)
- 100 g butter, soft (3.5 oz)
- 100 g sugar (3.5 oz)
- 25 g cocoa powder (1 oz)
- 1 tbsp rum or rum essence
- 1/2 dl strong coffee (or heavy cream) (1/5 cup)
Instructions
- In a large bowl; add all the ingredients and mix everything together into a sticky mixture.
- Use your hands to roll small cocoa balls.
- Pour some coconut flakes into a deep bowl and cover the cocoa ball in the coconut flakes.
Notes
Recipe for Danish Oat Cocoa Balls (havregrynskugler)
Recipe for Danish Oat Cocoa Balls (havregrynskugler)
Recipe for Danish Oat Cocoa Balls (havregrynskugler)
Recipe for Danish Oat Cocoa Balls (havregrynskugler)
Recipe for Danish Oat Cocoa Balls (havregrynskugler)
Recipe for Danish Oat Cocoa Balls (havregrynskugler)
Recipe for Danish Oat Cocoa Balls (havregrynskugler)
Lieve S
Since years, I'm looking for this recipe.
Maybe 35 years ago, a cousin gave us this recipe, but it was lost since a LONG time.
I don't remember that we added rum or coffee, but the rest was something like this I think.;
I sure will try this ! I suppose we can skip the coffee and rum ? We didn't cover the balls either.
Thankful greetings from Belgium !
Lieve
Kim Nielsen
Hi Lieve. I am happy that I can help you with the recipe then. Yes you can skip the coffee and rum. :-)
Lieve S
I saw your other recipe of the cocoa oat balls. The weights of the ingredients look a bit different. But maybe I just should try both recipes ! ;-)
Thanks again !
Krysia
when my granddaughters made these balls they asked if they could leave out the coffee...my son suggested making half with/half without. When we had a blind tasting from the two piles it was a 50:50 split. adults preferred with coffee,/children those without. the coffee seems to suppress what could otherwise be overpowering sweetness (to adults anyway- coffee suppresses it, even if it is difficult to identify the 'magic' ingredient)
Have fun! enjoy making &eating them!
Ligia Gomes
Hi, Kim! Should I use butter with or without salt? In Brazil there are these two types of butter.
Thanks
Ligia
Kim Nielsen
Hi Ligia. You can use both types. You can also get butter with or without salt in Denmark. I normally uses butter with salt.
Sue
Hi there! Will these be ok in fridge for 10-14 days or are they ok to freeze? Thx for the recipe!
Kim Nielsen
They will be okay in the fridge for about 10-14 days
Justine Hinge
I am first generation Danish American and trying to explore my heritage more through cooking and baking :-D I have had these before, I am wondering if there is an alternative you would suggest to using the sugar though to clean them up a bit.
Kim Nielsen
I've never tried making them with reduced sugar. However, I have recently experimented with dates in other recipes. I'm quite sure that mashed dates can be a great alternative to the sugar :-)
Eric
Hello Kim, we have a kind of machine which can produce Danish Oat Cocoa Balls, if you are interested in it, please contact me at any time.
Lopez
Do these have a shelf life outside of the refrigerator?
Kim Nielsen
I'll not recommend that for longer period of time as this recipe contain butter which has to be refrigerated to keep fresh.