If you’ve been around here a while, you’ll know I usually lean towards slices for my Christmas baking. They come together quickly, slice up neatly, and are always a crowd-pleaser. But these little snowball-style truffles have stolen my heart. They look like they’ve been dusted in fresh Christmas snow, and the pops of red cranberry and green pistachio give them such a festive feel.
The best part? You can double the batch in one sitting and end up with enough to feed a whole crowd—without having to stand in the kitchen for hours.
Ingredients
- 180g white chocolate, chopped
- 80ml (? cup) thickened cream
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (optional)
- 40g (¼ cup) dried cranberries, chopped
- 40g (¼ cup) pistachios, chopped
- 35g (? cup) desiccated coconut
Method
Step 1
Place the chocolate and cream in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Stir with a metal spoon until the chocolate is smooth and glossy. Stir in the vanilla, if you’re using it. Let cool slightly.
Step 2
Mix in the cranberries and pistachios. Cover and refrigerate for about 3 hours, giving it a stir every so often. You want it firm enough to roll, but don’t worry—it will still feel a little sticky.
Step 3
Spread the coconut into a shallow bowl. Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls and coat in coconut. Arrange in a single layer in an airtight container and store in the fridge until ready to serve.
My Rolling Tips (aka “How to Stay Sane with Sticky Hands”)
Here’s the thing—rolling balls can feel a bit fiddly, especially when the mixture clings to your hands like a toddler that doesn’t want to let go. My best trick? Keep a small bowl of warm water nearby to dip your hands in, or lightly oil your palms. The mixture rolls much smoother and you won’t lose half of it stuck to your fingers.
And let’s be real—if you’re going to sit and roll 20 or more of these, get comfy. Grab a chair at the table, put on a Christmas movie in the background, and let it feel more like a holiday ritual than a kitchen chore.
Double the Fun
I always recommend making a double batch. It doesn’t take any more effort once you’ve set yourself up, and you’ll thank yourself later when you’ve got plenty for gifting, sharing, or sneaking straight from the fridge when no one’s looking.
These White Christmas Balls are as much about the moment as the taste: a little bit of festive magic, a little bit of kitchen therapy, and a lot of delicious joy.
