Christmas Cooking Day (and a Recipe for Emma's Rumballs)
Christmas Cooking Day is a tradition that my beloved grandmother, Mutti, began when my cousins and I were babies. My mum used to make us all special t-shirts for the occasion and we would look forward to this every year. Mutti started to pass this tradition on to me in 2016/2017. Now, I take it every year.
Every year the crowd changes. I usually get some cousins and their kids. I get all sorts and I love it because my grandma would have loved it. This year is different because of my work schedule but I got more little elves than I have ever had. There were my cousin’s friend’s kids and some of my cousin’s kids and they all had the best time (well I hope they did).
I made hundreds of cookies. One of my cousin’s children kept breaking her cookies and then eating them all because they were broken. Another kept filling her plate with sprinkles and spilling them on the floor and then ate them. There was a boy named Casper who was good enough to use a piping bag. He was quite a talented artist. Family Bake Day changes, but I am so thankful people turn up every year to help me keep this treasured tradition and memory of my grandma alive. I’m not sure which niece or nephew I will pass it onto but I am certain I will know one day.
Emma’s Rumballs
These are super simple and time-saver to make for the Christmas Dinner Sweet’s Table. They are an easy make ahead sweet and take some of the stress out of Chrissie prep.
My Mutti whipped this recipe out every year at Family Cooking Day. She gave this recipe to the kids who weren’t gifted at baking or to the youngest. She used to tell me, “Rumballs are for the non-bakers of the family because they are easy.” Emma is my cousin and my Mutti named this recipe for her because she would always get rumball duty. Despite what you’re thinking Emma is actually a decent cook and she doesn’t even like rumballs. My sister loves this recipe because she gets to lick the condensed milk tin and that’s why she used to fight for rumball duty.
Makes 20 to 30 balls
The Balls
8 weet-bix
82 g shredded or desiccated coconut and extra for rolling
2 Tbs cocoa
50 - 75 mls rum/brandy/bourbon
375 g mixed fruit*
1 tin condensed milk
To make the balls
In a large bowl crush weet-bix with your hands.
Add all other ingredients (except extra coconut) and mix until combined.
Place bowl in fridge and allow to set in the fridge for 2 hours.
Remove mixture from the fridge and roll into even sized balls.
Coat in extra coconut until balls are evenly coated. Store in the fridge (or freezer if well in advance) and enjoy as a Christmas snack.
Notes:
*Mutti added glace cherries to this mix, I add cherries, grated apple and often figs
*You can dust the balls in cocoa powder and add crystallised ginger instead of mixed fruit
final thoughts…
What a week it has been. We have so many Christmas parties and private events at work. I’m learning a lot and I’m learning to be faster. Prep is key and I hope to improve more every day. This week is a 7 day week for me but the pay off is that I get to finish early and start my holiday period EARLY!!!!
Do you have family traditions? Do you make cookie boxes for Christmas gifts?
Amelia xx