Of course! “Pastry Balls” is a wonderfully broad term that can refer to a world of delicious, bite-sized treats. They are essentially small, often filled, balls of dough that can be sweet or savory.
Let’s break down some of the most popular and delicious types, complete with concepts and recipes.
Savory Pastry Balls
These are perfect for appetizers, parties, or snacks.
- Classic Sausage Cheese Balls
A retro party staple that’s always a hit.
Ingredients:
· 1 lb (450g) ground breakfast sausage (spicy or mild)
· 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
· 2 cups Bisquick or all-purpose baking mix
· Optional: ¼ cup grated onion, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined. It’s easiest to use your hands.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown and the sausage is cooked through. Serve warm.
- Goat Cheese & Herb Puff Pastry Balls
Elegant, easy, and made with store-bought puff pastry.
Ingredients:
· 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
· 4 oz (115g) goat cheese, plain or herbed
· 1 egg (for egg wash)
· Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, chopped
· Optional: A drizzle of honey after baking.
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll the puff pastry sheet out slightly. Cut it into 24 small squares.
- Place a small chunk of goat cheese (about ½ tsp) in the center of each square.
- Bring the corners of the pastry together and pinch to seal, forming a ball.
- Place seam-side down on a baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with herbs.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until puffed and golden. Drizzle with honey if desired.
Sweet Pastry Balls
These are delightful desserts, perfect for coffee breaks or holiday platters.
- Cream Cheese Snowballs (Russian Tea Cakes / Mexican Wedding Cookies)
A buttery, melt-in-your-mouth classic.
Ingredients:
· 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
· 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
· ½ cup granulated sugar
· 1 tsp vanilla extract
· 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
· ¼ tsp salt
· 1 ½ cups finely chopped pecans or walnuts
· Coating: 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until just combined. Stir in the nuts.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until set but not brown.
- Let cool slightly, then roll the warm balls in powdered sugar. Let cool completely, then roll again in powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
- Nutella-Stuffed Puff Pastry Balls
Impressively easy and utterly addictive.
Ingredients:
· 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
· ½ cup Nutella or other chocolate-hazelnut spread
· 1 egg (for egg wash)
· Coating: ¼ cup coarse sugar or powdered sugar
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Roll the puff pastry out into a 12×12 inch square. Cut into 16 smaller squares (3×3 inches each).
- Place a small teaspoon of Nutella in the center of each square.
- Bring the corners together and pinch all the seams tightly to seal, forming a ball.
- Place seam-side down on a baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and roll in or sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until puffed and golden. Let cool before serving, as the filling will be very hot.
Fried Pastry Balls
For the ultimate indulgent treat.
Easy Donut Holes
Ingredients:
· 2 cans of refrigerated biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands)
· Vegetable oil, for frying
· Coating: Cinnamon sugar (½ cup sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon) or powdered sugar
Instructions:
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Separate the biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into 4 pieces. Roll each piece into a rough ball.
- Fry the balls in batches for 1-2 minutes per side, until deep golden brown.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel.
- While still warm, toss them in a bowl with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar until coated.
Tips for Perfect Pastry Balls
· Chill the Dough: For sweet, buttery doughs (like snowballs), chilling the dough for 30 minutes before shaping helps prevent spreading and makes handling easier.
· Seal Tightly: For filled balls, ensure the seams are pinched tightly to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking or frying.
· Uniform Size: Use a small cookie scoop to ensure all your pastry balls are the same size for even cooking.
· Get Creative with Fillings:
· Savory: Pesto and mozzarella, feta and spinach, mashed potato and bacon.
· Sweet: Lemon curd, peanut butter, jam, or a small square of a candy bar.
No matter which type you choose, pastry balls are a fun, versatile, and always crowd-pleasing treat