Chokladbollar: Swedish Chocolate Balls

You guys, there are only 3 of these left. I made these around 5:30/6pm yesterday and after sharing them with only 3 other people, there are only 3 left. I am too embarrassed to even see how many of these I ate yesterday.

But the thing is, these chokladbollar (Swedish chocolate balls) are delicious. Despite being decadent and sweet with a kick of coffee flavor, they're not heavy and overly rich. It's pretty easy to keep popping these, even though some people might be able to stop at just 1. If that's you, please let me know. I'd like to meet someone with self-control like that.

These are one of my favorite Swedish desserts to order when out at a cafe in Sweden. Of course, they tend to be bigger and pretty sure the style of making them differs (I think they pulse together all the ingredients in a food processor so the oats break down into more of a flour texture. Idea to try..) but the taste is the same. They're so delicious and rich and the perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee or a latte. I lost count of how many of these I ate with the numerous lattes I consumed during my semester in Stockholm. I'd say a semester well spent.

These are also probably one of the first desserts I remember making by myself, from scratch. I need to double check with my mom on that, but I'm almost positive. I remember going through my mom's Swedish cookbook (all the recipes are in Swedish) and going back and forth between her and the kitchen asking for translation help to make sure I didn't mess up the ingredients or directions. But truthfully, this recipe is so straightforward and simple, there's really no way to mess this up.

I loved making these for my family, and even recently, I remember my mom wanting these so I made us a plate to nibble on while watching the movie. I also made these for a dinner party at my friend's apartment in Stockholm, and a fellow Swede joined us for dinner and she said that these were one of the best she had ever had. And for a native Swede to say that, well, I knew I had found a good recipe. Especially when rolled in the pearl sugar, these chokladbollar make quite the presentation and you are sure to impress your friends.

So, take some advice from this Swede: make these. Tonight.




Chokladbollar

makes about 18 balls

7 tablespoons (100g) unsalted butter
scant 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla sugar (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 1/4 cup oats
3 tablespoons cold, strong coffee
Pearl Sugar or Shredded Coconut

Melt butter in microwave. Let sit on counter for 5 minutes.

Mix together the sugar, vanilla sugar, cocoa powder, oats briefly. Stir in the coffee and butter until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and let chill in the fridge for about 1 hour.

Roll tablespoon size portions into balls. Roll in pearl sugar (or other coating). Store in a container and keep in the fridge until ready to serve.

[source: translated and adapted from Ica.se]

Notes:
1. I make a small cup of instant coffee whenever I make this recipe, and use what I need.
2. This is the brand of pearl sugar that I use.
3. You can make these with softened butter instead of melted and won't have to refrigerate them then if you want these right away, but the melted butter helps bring these to the next level and they stay together much better this way too.
4. These are gluten free! Just make sure your oats are considered GF and you're all set!