This is a traditional recipe for a real Danish Christmas treat called Havregrynskugler or Oat Balls in English. This recipe exist in many different and smaller variations. However, all of them are typically based on oats, butter, sugar and cocoa powder.
Also see: Recipe for traditional Danish Butter Cookies
The recipe is very easy to follow and the kids normally love to help. This is a non-bake recipe so it is very difficult to resist eating a couple of them before you are done making them. From start to finish, it takes about 1 hours and that includes 15-30 minutes of resting time in the fridge.
The most tradition coating of these oat balls is coconut flakes and cocoa powder. However, it's basically only the imagination that is the limit. We have sometimes also used liquorice powder, which we think gives a nice and delicious twist in the taste. We know it is difficult to find liquorice powder outside Denmark. You can also trying using colored sanding sugar.
Ingredients
- 280 g oats (10 oz)
- 225 g soft butter (8 oz)
- 200 g sugar (7 oz)
- 6 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1.5-2 tsp rum extract
- 1.5-2 tsp almond extract
Decoration:
- coconut flakes
- cocoa powder
- sanding sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl; Mix all the ingredients well together.
- Leave the cocoa dough in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes.
- Use your hands to roll small cocoa oat balls
- Roll the oat balls in coconut flakes, cocoa powder or in other decoration, you like.
Notes
Helle
Hvilke gryn bruger du? Bor i USA og synes det er svært at finde nogen der ikke er for grove til at lave dem.
Kim Nielsen
Hej Helle. Jeg har selv boet i USA og jeg vil vurdere at de standard 'instant/quick oats' vil virke fint. De er lidt fine i det mener jeg, men tror de er OK. vh Kim
Mikkel
Helle (og andre der igen i aar laver havregrynskugler i USA,)
Hvis du har en Whole Foods i naerheden, saa er de instant oats som de saelger i loessalg den helt perfekte stoerrelse til havregrynskugler. De har ogsaa grovere og finere gryn, saa der er noget for enhver smag.
Kerry
Hello
Are you able to make this without the rum and almond essences?
Also, are you able to give more information about what sanding sugar is, is it what's known as icing sugar in the UK?
Many thanks!
Katherine
Hi, love your recipes! Can you please add me to your mailing list?
Kim Nielsen
Hi. Currently, I don't have a mailing list. Regards Kim (NordicFoodLiving.com)