You know, Chriiiistmaaas!

With the exception of carols, which I think were originally created as a form of music torture, I love everything about Christmas. I love getting together with my family, I love the food and I especially love giving presents. Back when I was a poor student, I couldn't afford to spread the Christmas cheer with expensive gifts, so I made presents instead, usually food -- the only thing I'm any good at making. 

Today I can afford to buy gifts but I continue to give homemade food as well. To me (and hopefully to the recipients) it's a gift of much greater value, as my time is far more precious than my money. If you've ever tried to make rumballs, you'll understand what an expensive gift it is. 

There is very little that is traditional about an Australian Christmas and each family seems to celebrate it differently. Some prepare a turkey, and all it is eaten with, whilst others enjoy fresh seafood and cold cuts, a meal more appropriate for the weather. These Christmas rumballs however, unite kitchens across Australia.

So each year I give a little bit of Australian Christmas to my friends in Singapore. In Aus these would be a nice gift, but nothing special. The few rumballs you handmade and wrapped in pretty Christmas wrapping would be added to the dozens already prepared. In Singapore however, where baking is a magical skill, these rumballs are very much appreciated and, after five years of giving them as gifts, much anticipated. 

 

Christmas Rumballs

1 packet of Marie or Digestive biscuits
1 can of condensed milk
250g of dark chocolate (unsweetened) 
2 cups of desiccated coconut
Optional extras:
1 cup of chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, macadamia nuts, almonds or hazelnuts

In a food processor grind the Marie biscuits into fine crumbs. Melt the chocolate by placing it in a glass bowl above simmering water (don't let the bowl touch the water). Stir it occasionally to ensure it melts evenly but make sure you don't let any water come near the chocolate or it will spoil.

Add the melted chocolate, the can of condensed milk and half a cup of the coconut to the biscuit crumbs and combine well. If you're adding optional extras do so now. 

Put the remaining coconut on a plate and have a bowl ready for your rumballs. Form the mixture into small balls, about the size of a big marble, and roll in the coconut before placing in the bowl. Repeat until you've finished all of the mixture - you need to work quickly before it hardens. Store them in the fridge if you'll be eating them soon, or in the freezer if you've prepared them as gifts. 

Tip: to keep your chocolate chips whole, put them in the freezer for a while before you add them to the rumball mix. Otherwise the melted chocolate will melt the chocolate chips, denying your rumball eater of a nice crunchy surprise. 

Note: I assume at one point this recipe included an amount of rum, hence the name. I have never been tempted to try the original recipe as I don't like combining chocolate with alcohol, unless it's a glass of champagne and a ferrero rocher.  

Comments

[Baz]

I love your rumballs!!

[CupcakeQ]

For someone who doesn't have a sweet tooth, that's a huge compliment.