Shared by: Mira
Recipe origin: Bitola, Macedonia

You know it’s Christmas when desserts start taking the shape of merry snow balls.

These yummy European apple and walnut treats are not strictly a Christmas tradition, but are a lovely alternative to the regular rum ball. The apple stays quite moist and combined with the walnuts, it’s a match made in heaven and very hard to stop at just one!

There are only 5 ingredients and no baking, making this recipe so easy that even the kids can help.

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Recipe

Makes 50 balls

Ingredients
500g (3-4 medium) apples, peeled, cored and grated
225g (1 cup) caster sugar
250g plain biscuits, finely chopped (I use Arnott’s Milk Arrowroot biscuits)
250g unsalted butter, cut into cubes, room temperature
100g natural walnuts, chopped

Method
1) In a medium pan combine grated apple and sugar (low-medium heat). Gently cook, stirring regularly until softened and most of the liquid has evaporated (5-10 minutes). Remove from heat and cool completely (to speed up the cooling process pop in the freezer for 15-20 minutes).
2) Meanwhile, in a large bowl add the butter and ground biscuits. Use your fingers to evenly combine until you have the consistency of a shortbread dough. Add the cooled apple mix and use your hands to combine well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes (this step is optional however I find it helps when forming the balls).
3) Run your hands under cold water (do this every so often) and roll a heaped teaspoon of the mix into a small ball. Coat with chopped walnuts and refrigerate in an airtight container.
4) To serve, remove from fridge and allow to rest at room temperature (15 minutes).

Tips:
– If you don’t have a food processor to chop the biscuits and walnuts, wrap in a tea towel and crush with a rolling pin.
– Make ahead of time and freeze.