Easy No-Bake Orange Balls Candy

No-bake orange balls
Diana Rattray
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Refrigerate: 8 hrs
Total: 8 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 36 servings

These orange ball confections are wonderful for any party or occasion, and they are very easy to prepare. There is no baking required, making them a fun treat to make with the whole family. Kids will enjoy the sweet taste and the simple process of making them.

Orange balls are a pretty unique dessert. Consider making them for a cookie swap or bake sale. It's almost guaranteed that you'll be the only one who makes them for your event. If you've never had them, they're similar to bourbon balls in the way they're made. Thawed frozen orange juice concentrate gives them their vibrant orange flavor and sweet citrus flavor. Orange juice concentrate can be found in the freezer aisle of any major grocery store. If you like making these orange balls, keep a jar on hand in the freezer so you'll be prepared anytime the mood to make them strikes you.

Orange Ball Tips and Tricks

Use these hints and tricks when you prepare the orange balls at home:

  • Be sure to evenly and finely crush the vanilla wafer cookies. Since they serve as the basis for the orange balls, the crushed cookie needs to be a consistent texture.
  • You can coat the finished balls with a dusting of confectioners sugar or finely shredded coconut. The orange taste and the coconut pair well together, like a tropical treat.
  • For the best flavor and texture, the orange balls should be made a day prior to serving. If they are stored overnight in the refrigerator, the will have the optimal texture and taste. Plan ahead for when you need to serve them.
  • Serve them on a platter at room temperature. Don't let them become too warm or they may become mushy and lose their hardened texture (and sphere shape).
  • Store any leftover orange balls in a sealed container in the refrigerator for three to four days. The prepared orange balls do not freeze very well.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces vanilla wafer cookies, finely crushed

  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar, plus more for coating

  • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened

  • 1/2 cup orange juice concentrate, thawed

  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 1 cup pecans, chopped

  • 1/2 cup sifted confectioners' sugar, or shredded coconut, for coating

Steps to Make It

  1. Combine the vanilla wafer cookie crumbs and 1 cup confectioners' sugar in a mixing bowl.

  2. Add the butter to the crumb mixture and blend in well.

  3. Stir in the thawed orange juice concentrate; add vanilla and nuts. Mix with your hands until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.

  4. With your hands, shape the mixture into balls about the size of walnuts. Place the prepared balls in a food storage bag with the sifted confectioners' sugar or shredded coconut. Shake the balls around so that the sugar (or coconut) sticks to the balls. You may want to do just a few at a time to prevent overcrowding which could impact the shape of the balls.

  5. Remove the balls from the bag and arrange the orange balls in single layer on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Store them uncovered overnight in the refrigerator for the best flavor.

If you like making easy or no-bake desserts, try chocolate bourbon truffles or big batch no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
98 Calories
5g Fat
12g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 36
Amount per serving
Calories 98
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 7%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 3mg 1%
Sodium 52mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 5mg 27%
Calcium 4mg 0%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 47mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)