A few years ago, a former co-worker asked me what lobster bisque was. I told him “bisque” was French for “balls.”
So, it’s a good thing Mom never called these childhood treats by their proper name: Frozen Orange Balls. Sounds like an arctic affliction you might see diagnosed on “House,” but FOBs are actually a retro party food straight out of “The Nashville Cookbook,”
What’s so special about them? They’re sort of a no-bake icebox cookie. You combine the ingredients (i.e. vanilla wafers, powdered sugar, frozen orange juice concentrate, butter and pecans), form them into balls, roll them in shredded coconut, and freeze them. So, they’re ice cold and sweet, with a citrus kick. Perfect with an orange soda or on your grandmother’s Easter china. With a bunny napkin. What can I say? I’m a classy girl.
Frozen Orange Balls
Adapted from “The Nashville Cookbook”
Makes about 36
- 1 box (12 ounces) vanilla wafers
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 can (6 ounces) frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup sweetened coconut
- In a food processor, combine vanilla wafers, sugar, orange juice, butter and pecans. Process until smooth.
- Shape into small balls using an ice cream scoop or melon baller. Roll in coconut.
- Freeze and serve frozen.
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Perhaps it is because I am chewing creamsicle flavored gum right now, but these sound great!
Mmmm, sometimes sugary orange just hits the spot.
These sound so easy and GOOD!
And the napkin folding technique…..is it just me or is that…well, nevermind.
And I wondered why the Good Housekeeping instructions showed how to sew a button on the front. It seemed like such a waste of time …
I didn't know that oranges even had balls!
Well, they're not coconuts, but c'mon, Dana. Show some respect.
Ok, I totally hate coconut, how about flaked chocolate instead?
That'd totally work. You could really roll them in whatever – cookie crumbs, crushed nuts, sprinkles. Am I going to say no to flaked chocolate? I don't think so.
Oh…they just look so good!
We don't want to talk about how many I've eaten today.
That's the same china my Grandmother had too! I absolutely love it, its so delicate and feminine. Cool…lol.
Mom loaned one of the dessert plates to me, because she was tired of seeing all the plain white dishes. I like to use it every couple of weeks to prove to her that I haven't shattered it.
I love the Nashville Cookbook. The recipes taste the way I grew up eating.
Though we've never made the orange balls, its classic pound cake (no sour cream) cannot be beat for a beautiful fine crumb.
Love The Nashville Cookbook! Mom gave copies to me and my sister with her notes written in the margins a few years ago. Had no idea how many of our meals came from that book until then.
Putting the classic pound cake on my list …
Oh those look lovely. And hey, at least they aren't chocolate salty balls. :D I think that's a bit more…ah…descriptive. Courtesy of Chef.
I have made these (as they are a family tradition), but without the coconut. We roll them in powdered sugar. And we typically leave them in the fridge, not the freezer. Let me jsut say they are divine! We have them every Christmas and now I've taken to having them sporadically throughout the year. I have them in the morning as breakfast with a glass of milk and rationalize that they have orange juice in them, so it's ok. :-)
Awesome! I grew up with these and was looking online for the recipe the other week, but couldn't find just the right one. I think this is it! Thank you!!!
the second i read frozen orange balls i thought… i wonder if House could cure that. ha. i'm so immature sometimes ;)
but now i have to make these, i read "roll in chocolate flakes" and i got WAY too excited to ignore this recipe. :DDD
So funny!! Cat (above) stole my comment… see, we're all 7th graders deep down. :)
Since these are frozen, how do they hold up after they thaw out? Do you have to keep them frozen?
I just love stuff like this- so easy to make and ends up really tasty. I have such a sweet tooth, I make quick sweets like this too. I'll be making this soon :) Thanks a lot!
Such fun!
So… uh, can you make them out of blueberry juice? Cause, you know… then they'd be Frozen Blue Balls! teeheehee! Welcome back!
I thought bisque was a soup? Nice recipe (aside from the name :))!
Hmmm, interesting! I like the sound of these since they do seem very refreshing.
yummy. I'd serve them for the name alone, but they sound delicious too.
These look great!
The name is totally Beavis and Butthead-worthy – I'd love to pass these around on a tray at a party: "frozen orange ball?". These sound like a great warm weather treat. Yum!
So, I live in Berkeley–the Bay Area, where it's always supposed to be a moderate climate, right? Um, yeah. It's 90 degrees in my non-air conditioned apartment right now. Anyway, what does all this complaining have to do with your post? Well, only that your frozen orange balls looked amazing to begin with, but they are totally calling my name right now. In fact, this treat could go a long way toward helping me cool down!
I love these things, but I've always eaten/served them chilled, not frozen. Sounds like I need to make them again! I'm still giggling about your frozen orange balls scenario. What a funny post!
Please tell me that napkin fold was intentional, and then teach me how to do it!! I wouldn't serve these balls any other way.