What Are The Chocolate Balls Called
So there I was, standing in the candy aisle at the grocery store, staring at a bag of shiny, foil-wrapped orbs. A little kid tugged on his mom’s sleeve and pointed. “Mom, can...
So there I was, standing in the candy aisle at the grocery store, staring at a bag of shiny, foil-wrapped orbs. A little kid tugged on his mom’s sleeve and pointed. “Mom, can we get the chocolate balls?” And I froze. Chocolate balls? That’s when it hit me—I had no idea what to actually call them. And honestly, neither did that kid. We were both just fumbling around in a world of delicious confusion.
Let’s be real: the term “chocolate balls” is about as vague as saying “that thingy.” It works in a pinch, sure, but it’s like calling a Ferrari a “red car.” There’s a whole universe of names out there, and they’re way more fun to say. So, let’s untangle this tasty mess together.
The Round and Roll Call
First up, we have the truffle. This is the aristocrat of the chocolate ball family—smooth, rich, and usually dusted in cocoa powder. You’ll find them in fancy boxes, sitting on little paper nests like they’re too good for the rest of us. (And honestly, they kind of are.) But here’s the kicker: not every chocolate ball is a truffle. Only the ones that are ganache-centered and often hand-rolled get the title. Pretenders need not apply.
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Then there’s the malteser. You know the ones: little crunchy honeycombed centers coated in milk chocolate. They’re the “pop-able” chocolate balls that disappear by the handful. In the UK, they’re practically a national treasure. Try saying “I’m only having one Malteser” with a straight face—I dare you. The name is trademarked, but the concept is universal: tiny, crispy, and dangerously addictive.
And let’s not forget the bonbon. This is the French fancy-pants version, often with a hard chocolate shell and a gooey center. If a chocolate ball has a glossy finish and a filling that oozes like a secret, it’s a bonbon. Side note: never ask a French chocolatier if their bonbon is just a “chocolate ball.” They might weep into their couverture.
Cách làm cake decorating chocolate balls thật đơn giản và ngon miệng
Don’t Confuse Them with Sprinkles
Now, kids—and let’s be honest, some adults—have a habit of calling anything round and chocolatey a “chocolate ball.” But the world of candy has specific names for specific shapes. Take chocolate drops, for example. Those are teardrop-shaped and meant for baking, not snacking. And chocolate buttons? Flat, disc-like, and perfect for melting. (You don’t roll a button, okay? Rookie mistake.)
And then there’s the sacred chocolate-covered almond. It’s a ball, sure, but the nut inside makes it a hybrid. Call it a “chocolate ball” and you’ll offend both the nut and the chocolate. They have feelings too, people. The proper term is “Jordan almond” if it’s that classy pastel-coated version, or just “chocolate almond” if you’re eating it straight from the bag at 2 a.m.
Chocolate Balls - Joyofbaking.com *Video Recipe*
When Brands Own the Name
Big companies love to trademark names so you can’t just call their goodies “chocolate balls.” Think M&M’s—those crunchy, candy-coated discs. (Wait, are they discs or spheres? Let’s not start that fight.) The official name is “M&M’s,” but everyone knows what you mean if you say “the colorful chocolate ball things.” Legally, you can’t call them “chocolate balls” in advertising, but in your kitchen? Go wild.
Then there’s Ferrero Rocher. That gold foil? That hazelnut center? That’s a whole experience wrapped in a ball shape. And yes, the correct name is Ferrero Rocher, not “those fancy chocolate balls your aunt puts in a crystal bowl at Christmas.” But let’s be honest, the anecdote is a hundred times more relatable when you say “chocolate balls” in your head.
Recipe: No-bake Swedish chocolate balls (chokladbollar)
So, What Do You Call Them?
Here’s the bottom line: if you’re at a party and someone passes a bowl, just say “chocolate balls.” No one will judge you—well, maybe a pastry chef, but they judge everyone. The proper name depends on the filling, the coating, and the occasion. A truffle is for sophistication. A Malteser is for movie night. A bonbon is for impressing your date.
And if you’re ever in doubt, just call them “spheres of delicious confusion.” It’s technically correct and makes you sound like a poet. The next time you grab a handful of those foil-wrapped orbs, remember: they’re whatever you want them to be—as long as you eat them before someone else does.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go buy a bag of “chocolate balls” and test my theory. For science, obviously.
