Pomander Balls or Chocolate Orange Truffle Cookies for the Holidays

Chocolate Orange Truffle Cookies, enlightened a bit

When I was a child one of the Christmas cookies my Mom would make each year was something she called, "Pomander Balls", a no-bake cookie made from crushed Nilla Wafers and melted chocolate chips together with sugar and orange extract.  The recipe has since been a favorite of most of our extended family and especially of my husband and daughter.

This is my version of Pomander Balls, which I respectfully re-name "Chocolate Orange Truffle Cookies" since they aren't exactly the same.

In a food processor combine all the ingredients:

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup superfine sugar

1/4 cup agave syrup

2 tbsp orange juice

1/4 cup Grand Marnier

1/4 tsp orange extract

1 cup ground walnuts
2 tbsp ground flaxseed meal

1 box cookies such as Nilla Wafers
1 cup vegan dark chocolate chips, melted

Blend everything together and shape into balls about the size of a walnut or about 3/4" diameter.  Roll in crumbs such as cookie crumbs or nuts.

Store for up to 4 weeks in airtight container in refrigerator.  If they seem dry, occasionally sprinkle with more Grand Marnier as they mature.

Good luck having any at Christmas unless you hide them.

Note:  The goal is to have a crumb mixture that holds together when squeezed so you may have to bump up the moisture by adding more of any or all of the wet ingredients.  Today I had to add a lot more moisture because the air is so dry. Makes about 32 cookies.  (Hard to tell since someone kept snitching as I was making.)