Rum Raisin Popcorn Balls Recipes

Steps:

• Place the almonds, walnuts and pepitas in a food processor and process until only small pieces remain. Add in the maca powder, chia seeds and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and grind to a coarse consistency.
• Add in the dates and continue to pulse 10 to 15 times until broken down. Add in the almond butter and pulse until a dough forms. (You should be able to pinch the dough between your fingers. If it's too crumbly, add it in a bit more almond butter.)
• Place the dough in the fridge to firm up, 10 minutes. Pinch off about 1 tablespoon dough and roll into a ball. Repeat with the remaining dough. Place in the fridge to firm up for another 5 to 10 minutes.

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients; beat well. Add peanut butter and extract. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until easy to handle. Shape into 3/4-in. balls.

Steps:

• Combine the dried dates, figs and cranberries in a medium microwave-safe bowl; add 2 tablespoons rum and the butter. Microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring, until the dried fruit is softened and the butter is melted, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
• Toast the pecans in a small dry skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool, then coarsely chop.
• Combine the graham crackers, crystallized ginger, candied lemon peel, molasses, cinnamon, allspice and salt in a food processor. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon rum, the pecans and the dried-fruit mixture (with any liquid from the bowl). Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and holds together when squeezed. (If the mixture is dry, add a little water just until it holds together.)
• Roll tablespoonfuls of the mixture into balls and arrange on a baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Put the sanding sugar on a plate. Roll the balls in the sugar to coat.

Steps:

• Bring 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup plum jam, 1 cup mini marshmallows and 1 tablespoon water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat, stirring. Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and a pinch of salt. Remove from the heat; using a rubber spatula, stir in 12 cups popcorn until coated. Butter your hands, then shape into balls and roll in coarse sugar.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Mix the dates with the hot milk and set aside for 20 mins. Mix the raisins with the rum and do the same. Grease 9 dariole or small pudding moulds and sit them in a deep roasting tin or baking dish. Put the kettle on.
• Whizz the dates and milk together in a food processor until you have a smooth purée, then scrape into a large bowl and mix with the oil and eggs, before stirring in the bicarbonate of soda, flour and sugar. Finally fold in the rum-soaked raisins and any rum left in the bowl. Divide between the darioles, then carefully pour boiling water into the tin or dish so it comes two-thirds to halfway up the sides of the darioles. Bake for 20-25 mins on a low shelf in the oven.
• Check the puds are done with a skewer, then lift out and cool a little. For the sauce melt the butter, sugar and cream together, then turn up the heat until it bubbles and comes together into a smooth, shiny sauce. Stir in the rum and raisins and cool. Turn out the puddings from the moulds, scraping around the sides of each with a blunt cutlery knife first. Line up in a shallow baking dish and cover with cling film. Keep the puds and sauce somewhere cool for up to 24 hrs.
• To serve spoon a little sauce and raisins over each pud, then pour the rest around (if the sauce has separated a little just gently reheat and stir back together). Cover the whole dish with a tent of foil. When the Christmas dinner is ready turn the oven down to 120C/100C fan/gas ¼ and reheat puddings for about 30-40 mins until hot. Serve with crème fraîche.