European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 8, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Something for every taste by Sharon Hudgins to you Ioup Bourbon bul ran l slant rum Are you so. They also freeze Well. Christmas balls make excellent gifts.  them in pretty Metal cookie boxes available at Many i Kropt a stores or in Doar Glass jars rior Orald with red or Green yarn bows snap top Canning jars Are upset inlay nit e c containers. Be sure to Iri dude a copy us the recipe so the Lucky recipient ran make his or her own Christ Mas balls in the future. You can also  your Christmas tree Ullh. Hew lit Sty i Oiler lion. Use one or More of Hari t docs fur balls that do not need refrigeration. Make the balls 2  in Iii Nirk r Insl wid of the slander to i into she and Roll them in confectioners sugar.  l a h Ball securely in aluminium foil and tie the foil together ill the lop with a piece of Verj yarn. Then hang the Ball on your Christmas tree Ai ornaments 11 be eel in on Christmas Day. The following a pipes Are for a variety of Chris Lens kills. Choosf1 he ones t us suit your own particular   Are among my personal inv orits. I  d to make them when was a  in Rolli go Nyrl they to been a Christmas tradition cd mine est r since crispy  balls Are another favorite. I make both of these red Pes not Only at Christmas but also 1 throughout the year to serve with Coffee or Lea after meals i be found them to be especially Good Loe in at the on Lusion of Creek Middle Eastern and North african dinners. Brandy rum and Bourbon balls Are for people Wilh High spirited tastes Trull balls and Peanut Butler balls Are for those who Are More health conscious. Note most of these recipes require that the balls be rolled in sifted confectioners sugar granulated sugar or cinnamon sugar 1 cup of granulated sugar mixed with 2 Teaspoons of cinnamon. During storage in the airtight Container while the flavors Are ripening Many of these balls will absorb the sugar. Therefore you might want to Roll them in additional sugar just before serving. You can also Roll the balls when you first make them in finely chopped i of onut or ground almonds walnuts Pec am peanuts or hazelnuts but balls rolled in ground nuts tend not to stay fresh As Long As the of rolled in sugar. Hints most of these recipes i api for crushed Vanilla wafers Graham crackers or gingersnaps. To Rush these with no mess place several of them in a plastic bag then crush them finely Wilh a rolling pin some people like la Moke these numbs in a blender but i find that a blender putveri7.es them too finely. After you make the dough if it seems too Sticky to form into balls let it set at room temperature for 15 my nulls before proceeding Vilh the recipe. Peanut butter balls i cup 1 stick bolter 2 Teaspoons Vanilla extract i Teaspoon sail 2 cups creamy style Poaul Butler i cups confectioners sugar 2 cups finely chopped walnuts or pecans 2 i cups Graham Cracker crumbs 1 cup cinnamon sugar or sifted confectioners sugar Garnish let the butter soften to room temperature in a Large bowl. Cream together the butter Vanilla Salt and Peanut butter. Stir Iri 2 cups of i infection cars sugar chopped nuts and Graham crat Ker crumbs. Form the mixture by hand into 1 Inch balls. Roll cacti bal in cinnamon sugar or sifted confectioners sugar. Set the balls in a single layer on a cookie thee and refrigerate them until firm. Store in airtight tonal nor in the refrigerator until you Are ready to serve them. Makes approximately 100 balls. Crisp Date balls it cup 1 Slick Butler 1 8-Ouncc package of dates pitted and chopped it cup granulated sugar 2 Teaspoons Vanilla extract v Teaspoon Salt a Teaspoon if using Unest cd butter 1 v cup Rice Crispin Cereal 1 cup pecans chopped very Cine 1 cup confectioners sugar filled put the butter into a Large heavy bottomed Saucepan Over Low heal. When about half of the Buile has melted add the chopped dates and granulated sugar. Increase the heal to medium but not Loo hot and Cook the mixture for eight minutes stirring constantly to prevent scorching remove the pan from the heat and it in in the Vanilla and sail then add the Rice cripples and pecans. Mix Well be Cool for a couple of minutes then form the dough by hand into 1-Inch balls. Roll each Ball Assoon As you make it in confectioners sugar to coat ii completely. Place the balls in a single layer on a cookie Sheet and let them sit at room temperature for an hour. Store in an airtight contains Williey will keep for a Long Lime. Makes approximately to balls. Ill Iarj sanguine december a 1383