No-Bake Healthy Dessert Balls — Quick, Delicious, and Kid-Friendly Variations
Looking for a healthy, quick, no-cook dessert that everyone will love? Here’s a delicious recipe with an adult version and simple swaps for kids. Perfect for a guilt-free treat any time!
🍪 Ingredients for 20 pieces
| Ingredient | Quantity | Kid-Friendly Substitution |
|---|---|---|
| Plain biscuits | 100 g | Same |
| Pitted dried prunes | 50 g (approx. 300 g whole) | Same |
| Toasted walnuts | 100 g | Same |
| Cocoa powder | 2 tsp | Carob powder (milder for kids) |
| Ground cinnamon | 1/4 tsp | Same |
| Ground clove | 1 crushed clove (powdered) | Optional / omit for very young children |
| Ground nutmeg | 1/4 tsp (heaping) | Same |
| Grated zest of 1/2 orange or lemon | From half an orange or lemon | Same |
| Rum | 8 tbsp | Replace with orange juice, apple juice, or prune syrup for kids |
| Fine granulated sugar | 2 tbsp | Coconut sugar or omit for decoration |
🔪 Preparation Steps
- Crush the biscuits:
Place biscuits in a food processor and pulse until finely ground like breadcrumbs. - Add prunes:
Add the dried prunes and pulse until they break into small pieces. - Add flavorings and liquid:
Mix in orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove powder, cocoa, and rum (or juice substitute). Process for about 1 minute until it forms a thick, moldable paste that clings to the blade. - Add walnuts:
Add the ground walnuts and pulse briefly to incorporate. - Adjust consistency:
If the mixture is too stiff (depending on prune dryness), add a little more rum or juice until it forms a dough-like consistency easy to shape. - Form balls and coat:
Shape the mixture into small balls. Roll each ball in fine sugar, coconut flakes, or your preferred coating. - Chill:
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up and allow flavors to meld.
💡 Tips for Best Results
- Use well-toasted walnuts for deeper flavor and crunch.
- Substitute rum with fruit juice for a kid-safe version.
- Keep these treats refrigerated and consume within a few days for freshness.
- Feel free to experiment with coatings—cocoa powder or crushed nuts work well too.
🧾 Final Thoughts
This no-bake dessert is a perfect balance of wholesome ingredients and rich flavors, ready in minutes and loved by both adults and kids. It’s a great way to enjoy a healthy sweet without turning on the stove!