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Perfect for freezing and taking to holiday cookie exchanges, these Orange Juice Balls are a simple (and delicious) no bake cookie recipe!
I have a small recipe book that’s filled hand-written recipes from the Dark Ages. You know, before the internet. And WAY before Pinterest. 🙂 It’s filled with recipes like my mother-in-law’s banana pudding, our family favorite Earthquake Cake, and these Orange Juice Balls from my Grandma Rench.
I consider this recipe “vintage.” These no bake cookies have been seen at church picnics, cookie exchanges and potlucks for years. I plan on making several more of these vintage recipes to share on the blog. I love the memories that they bring!
When I was little, we would travel to Tucson every year for Thanksgiving. My Grandma Rench lived there, along with all of my dad’s brothers and sisters. With all the cousins, it made Thanksgiving a BIG family affair. We would stay at my Grandma’s house, and she would make these cookies.
I have vivid memories of helping her fill the bowl and rolling them into little balls. It fascinated me that you could make cookies without ever turning on the oven. 🙂 When I was older, I made sure to get the recipe from my mom, who got it from her. I only ever make them for the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Every time I do, I remember my sweet Grandma Rench. <3
Orange Juice Balls
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz box vanilla wafer cookies, crushed
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup walnut pieces or any other chopped nut
- 3/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup orange juice concentrate
Instructions
- Combine ingredients, mixing well until evenly coated.
- Roll into 1" balls with your hands and place on a wax paper lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated
- Freezes well!
Video
The “batter” will seem very dry and crumbly, but just keep working it back and forth in your hands, pressing them together while rolling the balls. It only takes a minute to get perfect little cookie balls!
If you like these Orange Juice Balls, check out some other cookie recipes perfect for the holidays! (also, I clearly have a cookie problem, because I could have easily put twenty different cookie recipes here.) 🙂
- Nutella Banana Bread - October 14, 2024
- Bacon Onion Dip - September 13, 2024
- Mexican Corn Salad - August 21, 2024
Brenda Ann McMillen says
It is 6:37 in the morning, I just happened upon your site, the first one I saw was this one. brings back lots of memories, all of them good. My mother always made these during the holidays. I can remember standing on a step stool and helping, most likely hindreing her while she made these. I am so glad to finally have the recipe. I am going to make some today and test them out befour Easter. I think they will be a find treat for Easter… I will let you know how they turn out.. Thanks so much
Nicole Burkholder says
I’m so glad you found them. ๐ I have such fond memories of watching my Grandma make these for Thanksgiving. I think they will be great for Easter!
Audrey says
Can the coconut and walnut be substituted or left out? My grandma had a recipe similar, but hers didnโt have any coconut or walnuts on the inside, just rolled on the outside
Nicole Burkholder says
I’ve left out the walnuts completely on occasion. It’s been fine without them. I’ve never tried it without coconut on the inside, though. It kind of helps gives them more texture. But I’m sure they would taste fine with it just on the outside. You may need to chill the “dough” a bit to help it hold together more while rolling them. Let me know how they turn out!
Carol Gallmeyer says
I’ve been all over your site today but this is the recipe that brought me here – I woke up thinking about them this morning! My mother made them around the holidays some 25 years ago and we all loved them. Am making them this weekend!
Nicole Burkholder says
I just love those vintage recipes that connect you with the past. Iโm glad you enjoyed clicking around the site today! ๐ Merry Christmas!
Marci says
How many does this recipe yield?
Nicole Burkholder says
I’m sorry for the delay in responding! My comments weren’t coming through for some reason! It depends on how large you make the balls. If you keep them just 1″ in diameter you can get about 24 cookies. Mine tend to get a bit larger as I’m rolling and not paying attention, so I ended up with more like 18. But the recipe is so quick and easy-you can easily double or triple it!
Loretta says
do you roll these in powdered sugar or is the powdered sugar just one of the ingredients to be mixed in?
Nicole Burkholder says
Personally, I just roll them in the coconut, but I know some people don’t like coconut and have replaced that with powdered sugar or nuts on the outside. You do need the powdered sugar in the mix as well, though.
Donna Vandergrift says
I am making cookie trays. Will the orange cookies hold up for days?
Nicole Burkholder says
They hold up beautifully in the fridge or freezer. Just don’t put them on the trays until you’re ready to give them out ๐
Melissa says
Once they have been in the fridge initially, do they need to remain in the fridge? I’m giving these out to neighbors so I don’t know if I need to tell them to keep the stored in the fridge or if on the counter is fine.
Nicole Burkholder says
Yes, keep them in the fridge. They are fine to have out at room temperature for serving, but they hold their shake (and I think taste better) when refrigerated.
Melissa says
Once they have been in the fridge initially, do they need to remain in the fridge? I’m giving these out to neighbors so I don’t know if I need to tell them to keep the stored in the fridge or if on the counter is fine.
A Frank says
This is so similar to one that was my moms. It was always a favorite of mine. My mother use to roll it in a long log and hers didnโt have coconut just coated in powdered sugar. I remember sneaking in the refrigerator and cutting off chunks probably 4 or 5 cookies worth at a time. Needless to say I got into trouble. We lived in the south and always had pecans so never put walnuts in it. I will be making them for Thanksgiving
Thank you for the memory. My mom passed away about a year ago She was a great cook
Nicole Burkholder says
Isnโt it amazing how something as simple as a cookie can transport you to another time? Thank you for sharing your memory with me! Pecans sounds like a great option for these.
Amy says
In my few 44 years on this earth my Southern VA family has also made these many, many times…for the holidays; quick and easy sweet cool treat in the summer; and for LOTS of wedding receptions. Ours didn’t have walnuts, and we rolled the balls in coconut instead of mixing in the “cookie”.
Nicole Burkholder says
My family was arguing with me about the walnuts. My mom insisted that my Grandma didn’t use nuts, but I got the recipe from her handwritten stuff! I think maybe she had them down as optional but probably didn’t use them since nuts are expensive. ๐ I also remember seeing them rolled in the coconut and looking like weirdly hairy things in the fridge. Isn’t it funny how a recipe can be wonderfully mingled with wonderful memories!
Cindy says
What type of digicam was used? That is definitely a really good good quality.
Nicole Burkholder says
The video was just shot on my iPhone 6 and the still images were from my Canon DSLR camera. ๐
Christina says
Is the shredded coconut supposed to be sweetened or unsweetened?
Nicole Burkholder says
It’s sweetened. The kind you find in the baking aisle with the chocolate chips. ๐ Thanks for pointing that out! I’ll edit the recipe to clarify.
Judy says
Thanks so much for this trip down memory lane! I especially appreciate the accompanying video tutorial, as I’m sure I would have continued beating those poor things to oblivion! I’m adding these to my Christmas baking list! P.S. Love your blog!
Nicole Burkholder says
Yes, the mixture just seems “wrong” for a while, but it comes together quickly! ๐ Thanks for your sweet comment- it’s always nice to know there are people reading! Let me know how you like them.
Janet Vinyard says
Hi Nicole, I have a similar vintage recipe and they are good! Thanks for sharing this recipe and the sweet memory of your grandmother! I miss my parents and grandparents the most this time of year but I love the recipes that were handed down that remind me of them. Blessings, Janet
Nicole Burkholder says
The holidays are very nostalgic!