…this month, two of my most favourite blogging challenges seem to have aligned neatly in a glittery cloud of christmas fabulousness… for the uninitiated the we should cocoa challenge asks participants, as the name suggests, to use chocolate in something you cook… the host then picks a theme that must be included… over the years Choclette from the Chocolate Log Blog and Chele from the Chocolate Teapot have both come up with some interesting themes, some delightful like cherry or mint… others a little tricker such as chilli or my favourite savoury…
… the tea time treats challenge is just as fun and thankfully not quite as evil… our hosts Karen from Lavender and Lovage and Kate from What Kate Baked ask us to whip up something suitably tea time with a different theme each month ranging from the simple seasonal easter to the more detailed picnic pies and tarts… both challenges are a joy to take part in… they make you think about what you’re cooking and occassionaly take you out of your kitchen comfort zone which I think is always a good thing… it’s also lovely to be part of a community within the blogging world where you can see us all coming together with one common goal… and see so many different results… this months themes are cinnamon from we should cocoa and chocolate from tea time treats…
… there are plenty of other excellent challenges around too and you can check them out on the brilliant Food Blog Diary each month… join in… you never know where the journey may take you…
chocolate dipped cinnamon balls
now I know I made these last year but I simply could resist making them again as they really do make the most fabulous little Christmas gifts… i’ve obviously given them a dip in a warm bath of chocolate but I think these have only added to their glory…
2 egg whites
175g caster sugar
250g ground almonds
1 level tablespoon cinnamon
some chocolate
– in a large bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff, then gently fold in all the other ingredients until a soft dough is formed
– wet your hands and roll the dough into walnut-sized balls placing each one onto a baking sheet as you go
– bake in the over on 160C for 25 mins or until they begin to firm and cracks start to appear
– roll in icing sugar whilst still warm
– melt some good quality dark chocolate and once the balls are cooled, dip each one half-way in the melted chocolate… really couldn’t be simpler…
eat and of course, enjoy!
Mhh these look delicious!! They're perfect for this period of the year!
These look and sound delicious! Lighter than truffles too so perfect for after a heavy Christmas meal.
Ooh two of my favourite things combined chocolate and cinnamon. I am going to make these. Thank you for sharing
Pattypan
x
Ahh Dom, when I saw these last year I was determined to make them this Christmas – I suppose I still could. They look pretty and sound divine and dipped in chocolate, well, really! It is fun all this bloggng community malarky and thank you for enjoying We Should Cocoa so much, even if it is a little bit evil.
Very nice – that little pyramid looks like something from the ambassador's reception – “You are really spoiling us!”
These look so good in the nude but dipped in chocolate – that makes them extra special. Who could resist these little rippers. Oh dear the diet is getting further and further away!
These look lovely Dom. I'm visiting my parents in France this week and now I need to go and raid the cupboards to see if we have the supplies to make some of these! It really doesn't get any better than cinnamon and chocolate at this time of year.
a fabulous treat especially with the Christmas cheer, I'm always tempted to make more sweet treats than other month. Just yummy.
These look so cute and the flavour combo sounds too good. You say they'd make great presents but I'm not sure they'd make it out of the kitchen…
Really like the idea of these – as thelittleloaf says, so much lighter than chocolate truffles but just as indulgently delicious!
mmm they look gorgeous
I'm just savouring that phrase “…a dip in a warm bath of chocolate”! Sounds particularly attractive at this time of year.
fully agree. I am so shit at resisting chocolate this season, and phrases and recipes like this don't help 🙁
So pretty and christmassy – they'd look great in a clear cellophane bag with a red and white ribbon (or have I been reading too much Martha Stewart Living?!)
Love that glossy, melted chocolate. These sound heavenly and really would make a lovely gift! 🙂
these look and sound super yummy! the semi-dip makes it really lovely for presentation.
Wow, these are unlike any other Christmas treat I've ever had, I have to try them. What's their texture like?
How fantastic! A great alternative to the normal chocolate truffle. Love the photo's too, so festive ;0)
Gorgeous – I will definitely make these next week. Quick question – how many can I expect to get out of this recipe – just so I can work out roughly how much I need to make to make sure I have enough? Thanks!! 🙂
Hey Sue, they're quite crumbly with a bit of a bite. I love them. They're actually a traditional Passover sweet!
Good question! The original recipe says 24 but I never get that many. Usually around 18. It all depends on the size of your balls!!
Definitely one for the recipe folder!
They look gorgeous and would make a lovely present, but the problem would be not eating them all myself !!
These are a new one to me, but I would rather like to try them. I do like cinnamon.
Anything I can pop in my mouth quickly is a bonus for me. I would be stuffing these yummies in my mouth faster than you could count. Great easy recipe for this time of year when everyone gets soooo busy.
so wasn't I lucky as Dom made these in my kitchen(whilst i was out so i didn't see the mess!) the house smelt wonderful as i opened the door & then there were these beautiful balls waiting for me to eat – yes they are really yummy xx
What a beautifully written and eloquent post Dom, and thanks so much for your kind words about TTT! I love the look of these and your photos are also damn stunning too, a perfect joint entry for WSCm which I love, almost as much as RR, and a gorgeous Christmas treat – just fab darlink! Karen
Oh, boy, these look irresistible!!! Anything dipped in chocolate justs gilds the lilly. I could make these disappear quickly 🙂
Wish I was on your Christmas gift list!!
These look exceedingly tasty…chocolate and cinnamon in a bite-sized ball…what more could you want! Perfect for Christmas 🙂
I can only echo my fellow hostess- thank you for your very kind and generous words about TTT Dom and for entering these gorgeous little balls (ahem..) into our festive challenge! Happy Christmas! x
Decadent and delicious…. enough said!!!
Those look gorgeous and tasty.
A long time in the waiting, but I finally got around to making these today but without chocolate can you believe! They are completely delicious. Crunchy on the outside and chewy in the middle. Wish I wasn't giving them away now!
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Fantastic Christmas sweets and you're right – they do look perfect for giving to people as gifts – will have to remember for next year!