Havregrynskugle facts for kids
Oatmeal balls rolled in shredded coconut
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| Place of origin | Denmark, Sweden |
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| Main ingredients | Oatmeal, sugar, coffee, cocoa, butter |
An oatmeal ball (called havregrynskugle in Danish) or chocolate ball (called chokladboll in Swedish) is a yummy, unbaked treat. It's a very popular candy in both Denmark and Sweden.
These tasty balls are usually a bit smaller than a golf ball. They are made from simple ingredients like oatmeal, sugar, cocoa, vanilla sugar, and butter. Sometimes, a little bit of coffee is added for extra flavor. All these ingredients are mixed together to form a firm dough. Then, small balls are shaped from the dough. Finally, they are rolled in shredded coconut or colorful sprinkles. You can eat them right away, but they taste even better after chilling in the refrigerator.
Because the recipe is so simple, anyone can make oatmeal balls quickly. They are a favorite at children's parties and are often made at home as a sweet treat.
There's a similar candy in Israel called Kadur Shokolad, which means "chocolate ball." Instead of oatmeal, it uses crushed Petit Beurre cookies.
History of the Oatmeal Ball
The oatmeal ball likely became popular during World War II. During the war, many foods were hard to find because of rationing. This meant people could only buy a small amount of certain items, like wheat flour. So, people started looking for new ways to make treats without using much flour.
In 1943, a Danish newspaper called Nationaltidende published a special booklet for homemakers. It was titled Ingenuity in a time of crisis. This booklet included the recipe for havregrynskugle, which is the Danish name for oatmeal ball.
Even earlier, in 1918, a Swedish newspaper called Svenska Dagbladet had an advertisement for a bakery product. It was called negerbollar and described as "chocolate-coco." We don't know exactly what was in them, but they were sold in large boxes.
Names for the Treat in Swedish
For a long time, one common name for this pastry in Swedish was negerboll. However, this name has become less common in recent years. This is because the word neger can be seen as racist and offensive today, similar to how the English word "negro" changed its meaning.
Now, the most common name for the treat is chokladboll, which means "chocolate ball." If the ball is covered in shredded coconut, it's also often called kokosboll, meaning "coconut ball." The name kokosboll has actually been used for a longer time than negerboll.
The discussion about the name negerboll has been in the news. The word neger is now generally considered an ethnic slur. In 2006, the Swedish Academy's dictionary, Svenska Akademiens ordlista, added chokladboll as a new entry. It also listed negerboll but suggested using chokladboll instead. By the 2015 edition, negerboll was completely removed from the dictionary.
Around 2003, a bakery owner in Sjöbo, Sweden, was reported for using the old name negerboll on a sign. However, the case was dropped because the person who reported it didn't feel personally insulted.
It's important to know that the Danish word negerbolle is an old term for a different kind of candy. It refers to a flødebolle, which is a chocolate-covered marshmallow treat.
See also
In Spanish: Chokladboll para niños
