Chewy Texture : Mud Balls Are a Pleasant Surprise

If you want to get your fingers into things that are good to eat, try making Mud Balls or Orange Balls.

Both are pleasant surprises when you taste them. The mud balls have an interesting chewy texture and the orange balls a tart, tangy flavor. You’re sure to want seconds right away.

If you make them alone at home, use the recipes as given. If you have a group of people participating, double the ingredients in the recipes so everyone can get involved.

Assigning Responsibilities

In a classroom or at home in a group, assign one person to read recipe directions. Another person can take care of the mixing. The rest of the group can be responsible for measuring out and dumping into the mixing bowl one ingredient each.

When all the ingredients are well blended, everyone can take part in making the balls. And, of course, eating them is the most fun of all.

A few mud balls or orange balls wrapped in aluminum foil, tied with a ribbon, or placed in a small plastic container or tin make an excellent gift.

ORANGE BALLS

1 (12-ounce) package vanilla wafers

Shredded coconut

Powdered sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened orange juice concentrate

Crush cookies into fine crumbs by placing in plastic bag and rolling over bag with rolling pin. (Takes about 3 batches to crumb them all.)

Combine wafer crumbs, 1 cup coconut and 1 cup sugar in medium bowl and mix with wooden spoon.

Add orange juice concentrate and blend well. Form tablespoonfuls into balls with hands dipped into additional powdered sugar. Then roll half of balls in powdered sugar and half in shredded coconut. Arrange on platter and cover with plastic wrap. Place in refrigerator overnight to allow flavors to mingle. Makes about 3 dozen balls.

MUD BALLS

3 cups uncooked quick-cooking oats

3 tablespoons cocoa

1/2 cup dry milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup dark seedless raisins

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

1/2 cup honey

2 teaspoons vanilla

Combine oats, cocoa, dry milk and salt in large bowl and mix well.

Fold in raisins, peanut butter, honey and vanilla and mix together well. (Mixture will be sticky so use one hand to mix thoroughly.)

Form tablespoonfuls into balls with hands. Place balls on platter and serve.

Store in refrigerator in covered container. Makes about 7 dozen mud balls.