Description
Pineapple Christmas Balls are a delightful festive treat combining the juicy sweetness of fresh pineapple with a tender, slightly tangy dough. These bite-sized desserts are coated in desiccated coconut or festive sprinkles, making them visually stunning and perfect for holiday parties or family gatherings. Easy to make and customizable for various dietary preferences, they bring a tropical twist to traditional holiday sweets.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh pineapple, finely chopped or pulsed
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or almond/oat flour for gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut (plus more for coating)
- Food coloring or sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pineapple Filling: Finely chop fresh pineapple or pulse it briefly in a food processor until smooth with slight chunks, creating the flavorful tropical base.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a bowl, mix sweetened condensed milk with melted butter to form a rich, creamy binder for the pineapple filling and other ingredients.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: Sift together all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and desiccated coconut in a separate bowl to provide structure and subtle coconut flavor.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Add extra flour by tablespoon if too wet.
- Shape the Balls: Pinch small portions of dough and roll between palms into smooth walnut-sized balls, forming the festive shape.
- Coat and Decorate: Roll each ball in desiccated coconut or colored sugar sprinkles for a snowy festive look. Optionally, add edible glitter or drizzle with melted chocolate for extra flair.
- Chill and Set: Place balls in an airtight container and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up and meld flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh pineapple to avoid excess moisture and achieve the best flavor.
- Chill the dough if sticky to make rolling easier.
- Mix ingredients gently to maintain a light, tender texture.
- Adjust sweetness by tasting and tweaking sugar or condensed milk amounts.
- Decorate creatively with red and green sprinkles or edible glitter for festive appeal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: Holiday / Tropical
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: pineapple, christmas, holiday dessert, tropical dessert, no-bake, gluten free, festive treat