As visions of Cookie Dough Balls danced in her head…
Do you ever dream about a food? And then wake up and have to make it? That’s what I did this morning: I woke up and got straight to work making Gingerbread Cookie Dough Balls. They tasted just as good as I dreamed they would.
They’re simply made of Gingerbread Butter formed into balls. Oh my gosh, how can something so simple taste so good? Also, why do I have such an infatuation with ball-shaped foods? Fudge Babies, 3-ingredient pb balls, and now more balls? I dunno… balls are just super-cute. (Please keep your minds out of the gutter.)
Gingerbread Butter
- 6 tbsp Peanut Butter (I use salted)
- around 1 1/2 tbsp Molasses (20g) (I used blackstrap)
- heaping 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- scant 1/8 tsp ginger and nutmeg
- Optional: cloves, sugar (I didn’t use either)
Mix peanut butter and molasses, either using a blender or fork. (I just used a fork to mix.) Add the spices and mix again. I discovered that, if you add enough of the spices to the Gingerbread Butter, the dough is dry enough to roll into cookie balls. (However, gingerbread butter is also delicious on a spoon, mixed in oatmeal, or as a sandwich with grilled strawberries or banana… or even apple slices. Or thin it out with a little almond milk, and make a pancake topping!)
Nutrition Facts:
(Serving size: 2 tablespoons, or 30 g)
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 14 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
Later, more “foodie-ness” ensued. I bought myself an early Christmas present at Whole Foods:
Discerning eyes might notice the package is torn. That may or may not have something to do with the fact that my piggy little hands couldn’t even wait for a photoshoot before tearing into the chocolate.
This was just ok; I think I enjoyed the idea of the bar more than the actual flavor, which just wasn’t rich enough for me. But don’t hold it against the chocolate bar: I’m used to the richness of 100% chocolate. Plus, the toffee pieces were a tad annoying; they got stuck in my teeth and stood between me and my beloved chocolate. I’m a chocolate purist. Still, I wasn’t too unhappy with my purchase. It is chocolate, after all.
All that’s missing is the Raw Coconut Christmas Pie.
I wonder what the other guests would think if I brought a raw coconut cream pie to our Christmas Eve party… On second thought, maybe I’d better stick to the fudge babies!
Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
We always open one present each, watch The Grinch (the cartoon version), and read Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Healthy Chocoholic says
We usually open 1 present each on Christmas eve as well!
Those gingerbread cookie dough balls look wonderful, by the way!!!!
VeggieGirl says
Christmas Eve traditions = sit by the fireplace and each open one present (seems to be a common tradition, haha 😀 ).
whitney says
That chocolate bar sounds like its right up my alley!
Whitney
Erika @ Health and Happiness in LA says
I also am unimpressed by 70% cacao bars now. The darker, the better!
We would usually watch a Christmas movie on Christmas Eve. Often it’s the 1950’s Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer. That movie is hilarious!
Jennifer JCD says
Oooh, how festive!
Since we got married (5 years ago), it seems like our Christmas traditions are lost between too many family events requiring our presence. One tradition on my husband’s side is a meal with 12 vegetarian dishes on Christmas Eve. A few are vegan but most of them aren’t. Hey, for a family of die-hard carnivores, it’s a start. We’re bringing borscht, fudge babies, and sweet potato perogies to share. Apparently it’s a Polish tradition.
I won’t have computer access between now and Christmas, and maybe nto until after the New year, so I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Sweet potato perogies?!? Oh my gosh, those sound amazing! My grandma was 100% Polish, so she made perogies for Christmas :).
Merry Christmas, JCD!
Steph - VegFortWorth says
We always have lunch with my family on Christmas Eve, then we have birthday cake for my brother (who was born Xmas Eve), then open presents.
kristi (sweet cheeks) says
Count me in on the 1 present Christmas eve tradition! We’ve done it every year since I was little. Maybe we could start adding those dough balls in as a tradition as well…. 😉 Hope you have a very merry Christmas Katie!
Sarah says
Us too! But I usually pick wrong and open something like socks :(.
Katherine says
We used to always watch A Christmas Story on Christmas eve, and sometimes we still watch it at my dad’s house, but since my parent’s divorce the tradition has slowly faded.
Those gingerbread med/balls look amazing!
chocolatecoatedrunner says
Whoops this is the correct domain lol
Sarah P says
I am so excited about that chocolate bar! I never would have picked it up in a store, because I’d’ve figured it couldn’t be vegan, but now I know! Toffee is one of my favorite things. Thanks!
The gingerbread balls look great.
Kelly says
Have you tried any of the other Theo chocolates? I’ve been curious about them, but I haven’t tried any yet… hmm!
I love family traditions! We always get a new pair of pajamas, which we immediately put on. Then we read The Night Before Christmas, leave snacks out for “Santa,” and go to bed! I don’t know WHY we still do the Santa treat thing (my youngest sibling is 19!)… maybe to provide sustenance for my parents while they set out all our presents?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I was intrigued by the peppermint one too, but judging by my not-so-great encounter with this one, I probably won’t buy it now.
Lisa C. says
OMG your photos are AWESOME! The first one especially looks professional! Plus, not to mention the fact that they look soooo yummy :).
Christin@purplebirdblog says
We also did the one present thing on xmas eve! I was eying that chocolate last night but left it at WF 🙂
lindsay says
Im loving the different flavored dough balls! And the more spice the better, right? We usually have a big gathering at our house Christmas eve then when everyone leaves we make cocoa and watch its a wonderful life…..till we pass out into a deep food slumber. hehe!
LC
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
“And the more spice the better, right?”
Certainly as far as cinnamon is concerned!! 😉
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
We always open up one present. We used to read The Night Before Christmas, but it lost its appeal sometime in my brother’s teen years 🙂
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Great idea with the Gingerbread. They are next on my list.
I just made S’more cookie dough balls. 🙂
Alexandra says
Hi Katie! We always have a special Christmas Eve dinner, and I still love to watch Rudolph and Frosty but its hard to find someone to watch them with me :(. Those gingerbread truffles look amazing! I know what I’m making tomorrow……
And I just started a new blog. If you get a chance, please check it out and let me know what you think!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Looks great, girl! Love the pumpkin pie :).
Camille says
These are so perfect looking!
Our Christmas Eve tradition is watching “It’s A Wonderful Life”. It is one of my favorite movies and it always puts me in the Christmas spirit!
On another note, The Hangover is currently #1 on my Netflix queue. When it gets here, I will mail you a good copy! Probably next week would be my guess!
melissa @ the delicate place says
yum! i think i might use some cashew/date combo with the molasses to make these balls! love me some g-bread flavors! my traditions are sparklers on xmas eve and watching the christmas story! it’s a fave
Sarah says
A Christmas Story! Me too! Best movie ever :).
Blog is the New Black says
We always get ornaments from my aunts on Christmas! And pajamas… they used to be matching, ha.
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) says
I have a recipe for gingerbread cookie dough balls. I havent made them since about this time last year (I have to go look up my own recipe..haha!) but ginger, molasses, cinny, clove (cheater’s method = pumpkin pie spice since everything listed is already in there). Plus dates, nuts, etc. Blend. Very easy.
Your method is even easier…just keep adding spices to PB til you get dough. I like that way!
And I agree. Sometimes in my mind i have a recipe all made up and set to go..and then I realize once Im actually making it that i can get away with even less steps/work for myself…and god, i count my blessings when that happens 🙂
Aimee says
Katie, these ball photos are awesome! Hahaha sorry my mind IS in the gutter now. But I just wanted to tell you, in all seriousness, that I love your bright photos, fun recipes, and happy attitude :).
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
I’ve dreamt about food before!! hahaha one time I couldn’t sleep because I woke up in the middle of the night so excited about it!
grocery goddess jen says
When I still lived at home we always opened one present on Christmas Eve. Now I’m all grown up and can’t say I really have a Christmas Eve tradition! This year the sweetie, me, my mom, and step dad are all going out for pancakes on that morning, so maybe that will become a tradition?
chocolate coatedrunner says
Katie, it’s very generous of you to share all your nice recipes to the world! I love seeing what kind of stuff you come up with
Bianca- Vegan Crunk says
Ooh, I MUST try that Theo bar!! I used to love Heath bars and that sounds like it’d be a vegan version. 🙂 BTW, I had gingerbread butter oats this morning….so, so good! I’m gonna post about it tomorrow or maybe even tonight.
Hela says
yum, yum, yum!! looks delicious! will definitely try that some time!!
wishing you a very merry christmas with loadsa love, laughter, joy and good fun already!
xxx
Hela
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
You too, miss Hela!
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says
That’s such a pretty picture of you! You are so STUNNING! Can’t contain my infatuation here! 😉
I’m on such a gingerbread kick at the mo, so I’ll definitely be trying these if I have the ingredients!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oh Emma, thank you SO much! Truthfully, I am ALWAYS apprehensive about posting photos of myself on my blog, because I pick apart my own photos… so hearing such a kind comment really helps me feel less nervous about it :). Thanks a ton, girl!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
P.S. I tried to leave a comment on your blog, but I think wordpress spam ate it :(.
Laura @ Meet Virginia says
We always open one present on Christmas Eve, too! But under one condition: it has to be a small one!
Runeatrepeat says
I love hearing about other family’s Christmas traditions. We open presents in the morning, but in a big mess not one at a time 🙂
Char says
You’re so beautiful 😉
xoxo
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Awwwwww, Char, thank you SO much! As I told someone else, above, I am ALWAYS apprehensive about posting photos of myself on my blog, because I pick apart my own photos… so hearing such a kind comment really helps me feel less nervous about it 🙂 . Thank you so much!
Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free says
OMG! I make these with almond butter and cinnamon-soooo good!
Cara Craves... says
Christmas Eve tradition:
Sitting with my family around the fire, with drinks in hand, listening to a
story called “The Shepherd.” We have done it for as long as I can remember.
kristine says
My family tradition is to play board games together 🙂
Keep making balls– they ARE cute, fun and the options are unlimited 😀
BroccoliHut says
Christmas Eve traditions=lasagna dinner before church, opening one present each, and putting out cookies for Santa:)
Namaste Gurl says
I dream about oatmeal with nut butter– crazy, I know…. 🙂
And what a fun foodie purchase you stumbled upon at Whole Foods! Totally jealous.
Have a good evening, Miss Katie!
Claire says
Most of my friends are Jewish, so this year we decided to start a tradition of having a Chrismukkah party, my best friend and I made stockings for each other and there was a Kris Kringle for the whole group. Hopefully this Christmas Eve Eve (the night before Christmas Eve 😛 just incase that didn’t made sense) will continue! 😀
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Ooh that’s hilarious! I love it. My sister used to live with a Jewish roommate, and I think they did something similar (in terms of having a Christian-Jewish party). But their title (“Festivus” I think) wasn’t as cute as yours!
Albizia says
Mmm… Chocolate! I wish our Christmas cooking was so simple. According to the Orthodox tradition we have to cook at least 7 meals for the table at Christmas Eve. Maybe you’ll be happy to hear that there must be no animal products in any of them. But it’s a lot of cooking anyway and I’m gonna start right now! 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Wow, 7 meals, all without animal products?! It sounds like a feast I’d love to be at (plus, then I’d get to meet you!) 🙂
emily says
these sounds amazing..so perfect for christmas! i’ve never tried the gingerbread + pb combo, but it sounds really good. and festive. 🙂
Little Bookworm says
The recipe for those Gingerbread balls sounds amazing! Yum! Hope you have a fantastic day tomorrow Katie! 🙂
Mia says
“I dunno… balls are just so cute. (Please keep your minds outta the gutter, people.)”
bwahahaha! that is too funny! katie, i love your blog. seriously. i just wished i liked gingerbread so that i could make these babies.
Erin says
My 2 year old daughter and I made some of these this morning. They are fabulous! Thank you!!!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aww thank YOU for trying them!! 🙂
Kelly says
We live in seattle where Theo chocloate is made. We have toured their factory and eaten samples of all LOTS of different chocloate they make. GOOD stuff.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oh lucky! I love the Theo coconut chocolate bars, but I’ve only had them in NYC. I still can’t find them anywhere here in Texas. I always look.
Anna says
OOOO I can’t wait to try these!! Can I sub molasses for anything? Like, honey or maple syrup perhaps??
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Sure… but the molasses gives it the gingerbread flavor. It’ll still taste good, though!
Hannah says
Oooh! Those look totally awesome!
On Christmas Eve, we usually spend the whole day cooking and getting last minute things ready. Then at night, we have a nice dinner and then open one present, which is usually a pair of pajamas. Then we all wear our new pajamas and eat candy canes and listen to Christmas music in the van, while we drive around looking at Christmas lights.
Hungry Heather says
Thanks for helping me with my gingerbread craving, NINE years after your original post! Gingerbread butter was and is a fantastic idea that goes great on apple slices, just like you said. YUMMM