In my house truffles are a far humbler creature - involving a lot of crushed digestive biscuits (Graham crackers maybe?), condensed milk and desiccated coconut. I assume double cream was still hard to get hold of when my grandma was raising my mum and aunt after WW2 in Scotland, and the fun of crushing biscuits has meant we still make the post war version. In fact it was one of the things I bonded with the man I married over - his mum's "coconut balls" are my grandma's "truffles."
I love this story, Sarah, and how your truffles are part of your courtship story and a reminder of how recipes adapted post war. If you’re able to share the recipe, I’d love to try it. Email me, but no pressure! Family recipes are treasures (and sometimes need to be kept secret!) ❤️
It doesn't really need to be secret! Basically, crush 10 digestive biscuits - American readers, I think about the closest you will get are graham crackers. You don't want something too sweet at this point. The fun way is in a bag with a rolling pin, the easy way is to pulse your food processor.
Add 10 spoonfuls of dessicated coconut, 10 spoonfuls of cocoa powder, mix. The spoons are dessert spoons - 15ml or so.
Add a can of sweetened condensed milk and about an ounce of melted butter. I am not sure it makes a difference what kind of butter. It's a post war recipe, in fact, so we have been known to use margarine - it's really only a binding agent. As cans of condensed milk have got a bit bigger since my childhood, you then add one biscuit, one spoonful of coconut and one spoonful of cocoa until the mixture is stiff enough to roll.
You can also add a spoonful of sherry or rum. Grandma did, I tend not to, because I don't want a whole bottle with one spoonful out the top gathering dust for months.
You then roll them into little balls, and then roll the little balls in chocolate sugar strands or cocoa. Or if you are pushed for time, you press the lot into a greased baking tin and slice it into squares, possibly drizzle some white chocolate over the top.
It's a really good way to keep kids occupied in the holidays, especially if you go for the bashing biscuits in a bag with a rolling pin version of the recipe. And it's not too sweet and rich, although it's certainly sweet enough to be getting on with.
Happy New Year! I want to thank you for all your wonderful stories and recipes this past year. You've enlivened my life so much and brought such happiness to me. Wishing you all the best--great joy, food, beauty, cookbooks, friendship, laughter, adventures and love, Jamie
My grandma, who is 99, moved to assisted living this summer. She let me take her cut glass pieces like the one you have. One of them is a cup for holding silverware on a farmhouse table. She says people on farms didn’t have time for place settings, so they put out silverware in cups.
Aww, Mike, thank you so much, it’s so great to celebrate another year of friendship with you! I’m popping over to comment on ‘Sowden’s Bane Blue’ shortly 😂 💙 Also, congratulations on the brilliant year you’ve had on the Stack! ✨
What a beautiful presentation, Jolene! Is the candy dish a family treasure? The truffles look amazing. I'm already thinking ahead to Valentine's Day, wouldn't these be perfect? Happy Holidays, enjoy your break!🥰
Thank you, Pam! And I got the dish on eBay last month! You are so right, these would be perfect for Valentine’s Day! ❤️ Thank you so much for your amazing support and enthusiasm this year, Pam, so appreciated! Happy Holidays! ✨
These look amazing.
In my house truffles are a far humbler creature - involving a lot of crushed digestive biscuits (Graham crackers maybe?), condensed milk and desiccated coconut. I assume double cream was still hard to get hold of when my grandma was raising my mum and aunt after WW2 in Scotland, and the fun of crushing biscuits has meant we still make the post war version. In fact it was one of the things I bonded with the man I married over - his mum's "coconut balls" are my grandma's "truffles."
I love this story, Sarah, and how your truffles are part of your courtship story and a reminder of how recipes adapted post war. If you’re able to share the recipe, I’d love to try it. Email me, but no pressure! Family recipes are treasures (and sometimes need to be kept secret!) ❤️
It doesn't really need to be secret! Basically, crush 10 digestive biscuits - American readers, I think about the closest you will get are graham crackers. You don't want something too sweet at this point. The fun way is in a bag with a rolling pin, the easy way is to pulse your food processor.
Add 10 spoonfuls of dessicated coconut, 10 spoonfuls of cocoa powder, mix. The spoons are dessert spoons - 15ml or so.
Add a can of sweetened condensed milk and about an ounce of melted butter. I am not sure it makes a difference what kind of butter. It's a post war recipe, in fact, so we have been known to use margarine - it's really only a binding agent. As cans of condensed milk have got a bit bigger since my childhood, you then add one biscuit, one spoonful of coconut and one spoonful of cocoa until the mixture is stiff enough to roll.
You can also add a spoonful of sherry or rum. Grandma did, I tend not to, because I don't want a whole bottle with one spoonful out the top gathering dust for months.
You then roll them into little balls, and then roll the little balls in chocolate sugar strands or cocoa. Or if you are pushed for time, you press the lot into a greased baking tin and slice it into squares, possibly drizzle some white chocolate over the top.
It's a really good way to keep kids occupied in the holidays, especially if you go for the bashing biscuits in a bag with a rolling pin version of the recipe. And it's not too sweet and rich, although it's certainly sweet enough to be getting on with.
Sarah! Thank you so much for this! ❤️
Have a fun holiday, Jolene! And a Happy and Healthy 2023! Will look forward to your newsletter in the new year❤️
Thank you, Joan, I wish the same for you and thank you so much for being here! ❤️
Dear Jolene--
Happy New Year! I want to thank you for all your wonderful stories and recipes this past year. You've enlivened my life so much and brought such happiness to me. Wishing you all the best--great joy, food, beauty, cookbooks, friendship, laughter, adventures and love, Jamie
Thank you, Jamie, and right back at ya on all of this! Happy New Year, my friend! xx 💫
My grandma, who is 99, moved to assisted living this summer. She let me take her cut glass pieces like the one you have. One of them is a cup for holding silverware on a farmhouse table. She says people on farms didn’t have time for place settings, so they put out silverware in cups.
I love that idea, Elizabeth, and so nice that you are the keeper of your Grandma’s cut crystal pieces. ✨
I got her pink Depression glass parfait glasses too!
Jealous! 😂
Wow, these look delish! Have a yummy, merry and jolly Christmas, Jolene 🫶
Thank you, Stygi and a Merry, Jolly holiday to you, filled with great playlists! 🎶 ❤️
The warmest and chocolatiest of holiday seasons to you, Jolene. :)
(It's really fun watching you absolutely rock it with this newsletter. One of my highlights of 2022.)
Aww, Mike, thank you so much, it’s so great to celebrate another year of friendship with you! I’m popping over to comment on ‘Sowden’s Bane Blue’ shortly 😂 💙 Also, congratulations on the brilliant year you’ve had on the Stack! ✨
A very merry Christmas to you!
Same to you, Randee! 🎄
a version...without....boozy vibes?! why, I never! I don't think even Alice would approve....
happy holidaze, jolene!!!
Sacrilege! 😂 Happy Holidays to you and Jules, Jess!! 🎄❤️
I hope you have a lovely break! I can't wait to read about Alice and her orange marmalade!
Thank you, Jillian! I’m researching it now! Wishing you good things (with lots of notebooks!) in the New Year! ✨❤️
What a beautiful presentation, Jolene! Is the candy dish a family treasure? The truffles look amazing. I'm already thinking ahead to Valentine's Day, wouldn't these be perfect? Happy Holidays, enjoy your break!🥰
Thank you, Pam! And I got the dish on eBay last month! You are so right, these would be perfect for Valentine’s Day! ❤️ Thank you so much for your amazing support and enthusiasm this year, Pam, so appreciated! Happy Holidays! ✨
Happy Christmas and New Year, too!!
Same to you, Anne! ❤️
I've so enjoyed reading TTK this year, Jolene. Thanks for your research, recipes, and whimsy! Wishing you all good things in 2023. xo
Thank you, Domenica, and I have loved Buona Domenica so much! Wishing you and your family a wonderful year ahead! ❤️
The truffles look stupendous, Jolene! Congratulations on your much deserved success with this newsletter! Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy 2023!
Thank you, Ruth and a happy and healthy new year to you, so grateful you are here! ❤️