Silk Dry Fruit Balls: Quick No-Cook Recipe for Festive Snacking

Festive sweet snacks don’t always need hours in the kitchen or a long list of ingredients. These Silk Dry Fruit Balls are rich, quick to make, and full of Indian-style sweetness and crunch – all without turning on the stove. These sweet treats, which are mainly Cadbury Silk dry fruit balls, ranging from clusters to laddoos, are perfect for most festive occasions, be it Diwali, Eid, or Rakhi. They take less than an hour to prepare, and you do not need to cook or bake anything, only melt and shape these little pockets of deliciousness.

1. Silk Chocolate Dry Fruit Clusters

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk chocolate, chopped
• ½ cup chopped cashews
• ½ cup chopped almonds
• ¼ cup raisins
• ¼ cup chopped dates
• 1 tbsp ghee (optional, for shine)

Method:

1. Melt the chocolate in a heat-safe bowl using a microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
2. Mix in ghee if using, for a glossy finish.
3. Add all the chopped dry fruits into the melted chocolate and stir to coat evenly.
4. Line a tray with parchment paper.
5. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the tray like little mounds.
6. Chill in the fridge for 30-40 minutes or until set.
7. Store in an airtight container at room temperature (if cool) or refrigerate if it's warm.

Tips & Tricks:

• Chop everything small and evenly. Uneven pieces make the clusters fall apart. Aim for raisin-sized or smaller bits.
• Use a spoon or scoop to portion. It keeps the size consistent, which helps the clusters chill evenly and look neat on a serving plate.
• Don’t overheat the chocolate. Melt it slowly. If it's too hot, the dry fruits will soften too much, and the mixture will turn runny.
• Work quickly after mixing. The chocolate begins to set as it cools. If you wait too long, the mixture hardens in the bowl.
• Storage tip: Keep them in the fridge in a closed box. If it’s cool where you live, keeping them at room temperature should keep them unspoilt for a day or two.

2. Fruit and Nut Silk Chocolate Balls with Oats

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup rolled oats (dry, not cooked)
• ½ cup Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk chocolate, chopped and melted
• ¼ cup chopped dried apricots
• ¼ cup raisins
• 2 tbsp chopped almonds
• 2 tbsp peanut butter (optional)

Method:

1. In a bowl, combine oats, dried fruits, and nuts.
2. Add melted chocolate and peanut butter.
3. Mix until sticky and everything holds together.
4. Shape into balls with your hands. If it’s too sticky, refrigerate the mixture for 10 minutes first.
5. Store in an airtight box in the fridge.

Tips & Tricks:

• Always chop dry fruits into small pieces to keep everything bite-sized. Larger pieces make the balls fall apart and are harder to shape.
• Use fresh dates, and if your dates feel dry or hard, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes and pat dry before using.
• Let the chocolate cool a little before mixing. If it’s too hot, it can make the mix runny and harder to roll.
• You can prepare these up to 5 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.
• For a festive finish, roll the balls in crushed pistachios, coconut, sesame seeds, or edible silver foil for that celebration-ready look.

3. Soft Date-Chocolate Laddoos

Ingredients:

• 1 cup soft, seedless dates, finely chopped or mashed
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk chocolate, chopped (soft)
• 2 tbsp shredded coconut (optional)
• 1 tbsp finely chopped pistachios (for garnish)

Method:

1. In a mixing bowl, mash dates using a spoon or clean hands until smooth and sticky.
2. Add chopped walnuts and softened milk chocolate. Mix well until combined.
3. Shape into small laddoos by pressing and rolling between your palms.
4. Roll some in coconut or press a few pistachios on top.
5. Chill for 20 minutes before serving.

Tips & Tricks:

• Use soft dates only. If your dates feel stiff or dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes and dry them before using. They need to be mashable.
• Mash the dates well. Use a spoon or clean hands to turn them into a thick, sticky paste. That’s what holds everything together.
• Add dry fruits gradually. Too many chunky nuts can make it harder to shape the laddoos. Chop nuts small and mix bit by bit.
• To make them festive, roll in desiccated coconut, finely chopped nuts, or even a little rose petal dust for special occasions.
• These last 4-5 days, when chilled and also stay soft. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best taste.