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Who can resist the allure of Rum Balls? These delicious treats are the perfect blend of crunch and sweetness, spiked with just the right amount of rum.
This small batch recipe is just what you need when you’re craving something indulgent but don’t want a ton of leftovers tempting you.
Looking for other small batch treats? You’ll love our Peanut Butter Fudge, Oreo Balls, Pralines, Peppermint Bark, and M&M Cookies. Any of these, or even an assortment, make great homemade food gifts to give.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Rum Balls Recipe
- What Are Rum Balls?
- Ingredients
- Recipe Variations
- How To Make Rum Balls
- Expert Tips
- How To Store Rum Balls
- How To Package Rum Balls As The Perfect Gift
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Additional Small Batch Holiday Dessert Ideas
- Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
- Small Batch Rum Balls Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Rum Balls Recipe
- Simple to Make: You won’t need any fancy equipment or advanced cooking skills to make these tasty bites.
- Ingredient Flexibility: This recipe offers a balance of traditional and alternative ingredients to suit various dietary needs.
- Rapid Preparation: Since it’s a no-bake recipe, these rum balls can be ready in minutes, perfect for when you need a last-minute dessert.
- Scalable: Planning a bigger gathering or just love having extra? This recipe scales up perfectly.
Looking for a nut-free rum ball recipe? Scroll down to discover how to make rum balls without nuts.
Prefer rum balls without alcohol? Keep reading for our non-alcoholic rum balls alternatives below.
What Are Rum Balls?
Rum balls are bite-sized desserts that combine crushed cookies, cocoa powder, nuts, and rum to create a no-bake treat that’s both luscious and satisfying.
Rum balls have been a festive favorite around the globe, notably in Australia, Germany, and the United States. They often make appearances during holiday seasons, although their exact origin remains a sweet mystery.
Ingredients
- Cookie crumbs: The foundation of these scrumptious rum balls is a finely ground mixture of crushed vanilla wafers, often known as Nilla Wafers. A food processor is my go-to for achieving the perfect texture, but manual crushing works too. While vanilla wafers are my favorite for their subtle sweetness and vanilla notes, graham crackers, butter cookies, digestive biscuits, or shortbread cookies are all excellent substitutes. For a gluten-free version, opt for gluten-free cookies. If you’ve got a few leftover cookies, consider using them in a single serving Banana Cream Pie.
- Crushed nuts: While pecans and walnuts are the traditional choices, you can easily switch them out for almonds, cashews, or hazelnuts to add a unique twist to your rum balls.
- Rum: Options abound when it comes to the rum selection. Choose from dark rum, white rum, coconut rum, or spiced rum to suit your taste. Want to switch it up? Opt for whiskey to craft whiskey balls or bourbon for bourbon-infused delights. Got extra rum? Enjoy it in a Strawberry Daiquiri or in a decadent Bananas Foster!
- Powdered sugar: Also known as confectioners’ or icing sugar, this fine, fluffy sugar dissolves effortlessly, ensuring a smooth texture. Avoid granulated sugar as it results in a grainy finish.
- Cocoa powder: For that rich chocolatey flavor, opt for high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder. I’m partial to Ghirardelli brand, but any quality cocoa will do the trick.
- Honey: While honey is my preferred sweetener and binding agent, light corn syrup, maple syrup, or agave nectar make suitable substitutes without compromising the taste or texture.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.
Recipe Variations
Love the basic recipe but want to mix it up a bit? Here are some fun twists you can try.
- Vanilla Wafers Substitute: Don’t limit yourself to just vanilla wafers. Explore other options like crushed Oreos, graham crackers, butter cookies, shortbread cookies, or even ginger snaps for a different flavor profile.
- Alcohol: Looking for a twist? Substitute the rum with bourbon or whiskey. If you’re a fan of coconut, try coconut rum and roll the balls in shredded coconut for a tropical experience.
- Non-Alcoholic Rum Balls: No worries if you want to skip the alcohol. Orange juice or apple juice make excellent replacements, providing a different but equally delicious treat.
- Spiced Rum Balls: If you’re looking to add a bit more zing to your rum balls, consider mixing in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg into the dough. This will give your treats a subtle yet warming spice kick.
- Vegan Rum Balls: To make your rum balls vegan-friendly, substitute the honey with agave nectar or a vegan-approved syrup. Use vegan cookies as your base and opt for dairy-free chocolate if you choose to coat them in melted chocolate.
- Espresso Boost: For coffee lovers, adding a quarter teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dough offers a wonderful depth of flavor. Coffee pairs exceptionally well with both the chocolate and rum, giving your rum balls an aromatic lift.
How To Make Rum Balls
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small batch of rum balls. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Place vanilla wafers in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Process into fine crumbs, about 20 seconds. Transfer to a large bowl.
Pro Tip: You can crush the cookies in a bag instead of using a processor.
- Place the nuts in the food processor and process them into fine crumbs. Transfer the crushed nuts to the bowl with the cookie crumbs.
Pro Tip: You can finely chop the nuts by hand instead of using a processor.
- Sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder into the bowl of cookies and nuts. Stir to combine.
Pro Tip: A fine mesh strainer and a light touch are all you need to sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Hold the mesh strainer in one hand and gently tap its side with a finger from your opposite hand.
- In a separate small bowl, mix the honey and rum together until the honey is completely dissolved.
- Pour the rum mixture into the crumb mixture and stir to mix the ingredients. If it’s a bit dry in parts, add a splash of rum.
- Scoop the cookie mixture into balls and roll the balls in the palm of your hands. Place the balls on a sheet of wax paper, a plate, or a mat.
Pro Tip: Rum balls can be made into any size but I like rolling them into 1-inch bites.
- Roll the balls in your choice of candied sprinkles, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or chopped nuts.
Pro Tip: For the best results, roll the rum balls in powdered sugar or sprinkles immediately after shaping them. Doing so ensures the coatings adhere well, as they won’t stick as effectively once the rum balls dry out. If you plan to refrigerate these treats, consider re-rolling them in powdered sugar before serving. This step helps maintain that delightful sugary finish, as refrigeration tends to cause the powdered sugar to be absorbed into the rum balls.
Expert Tips
- Preparation is Key: Before diving in, review the complete recipe as well as the Ingredient Notes section for a smooth rum ball-making experience.
- Troubleshooting Dough Texture: If the mixture feels too tough to roll, a quick chill in the fridge can make it more manageable. To prevent sticking, lightly coat your hands with cooking spray.
- Adjusting Rum Intensity: If your dough feels dry or you’re after a stronger rum flavor, a splash of extra rum will do the trick. Keep in mind that additional rum may require a small bump in cookie crumbs to maintain consistency.
- Personalize Flavor: The base recipe already packs a robust rum flavor, but feel free to ramp it up. Just be mindful that extra rum might necessitate a slight increase in cookie crumbs to achieve the right texture.
How To Store Rum Balls
For optimal freshness, store your rum balls in an airtight container for up to 10 days. The longer these treats sit in the fridge, the more flavorsome they become, as the cookies continue to soak up the rum.
You have the option to store them either at room temperature or in the refrigerator, though I personally recommend fridge storage for the best flavor infusion.
For long-term storage, consider freezing your rum balls. Simply lay them on a baking sheet and freeze for approximately 2 hours. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw them in the refrigerator until soft enough to bite into.
How To Package Rum Balls As The Perfect Gift
Gifting a small batch of rum balls is a delightful way to spread some joy! To make your gift extra special, consider placing each rum ball in mini foil wrappers. Then, nestle them inside a decorative gift box for that festive touch. This packaging not only elevates the presentation but also helps keep the rum balls fresh. Add a ribbon and a personalized note, and you’ve got a gift that’s as enjoyable to give as it is to receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a nut-free version, simply use 3/4 cup (or 85 grams) of additional crushed cookie crumbs in place of the nuts. Just be sure to compact the mixture firmly when shaping your rum balls.
Swap out the rum for orange juice or apple juice to make a non-alcoholic alternative.
The possibilities are endless! While I often stick to classic powdered sugar and sprinkles for that festive platter look, you can also roll your rum balls in a variety of other coatings. Options include crushed nuts, cookie crumbs, shredded coconut, or even a layer of melted chocolate.
Absolutely! A food processor isn’t a must-have for this recipe. Simply place the cookies in a resealable plastic bag and use a rolling pin or a heavy can to crush them. For the nuts, either hand-chop them finely or crush them in a similar bag.
The likelihood is very low. The recipe calls for just 2 tablespoons of rum, which is then mixed with other ingredients to yield 6 rum balls. So, the alcohol content in each ball is minimal.
Definitely! While rum is the classic choice, you can easily switch it up by using tequila, bourbon, or whiskey for a unique flavor twist.
Additional Small Batch Holiday Dessert Ideas
Expand your holiday dessert repertoire with these scrumptious small batch treats. From brownies to frosted sugar cookies, each recipe is perfectly portioned for small gatherings or indulging by yourself!
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
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Small Batch Rum Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons crushed vanilla wafer cookies (approximately 22 cookies)
- ¼ cup ground nuts (use pecans, walnuts, cashews, or hazelnuts)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons rum
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Optional for rolling: sprinkles, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or chopped nuts
Instructions
- Place vanilla wafers in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Process into fine crumbs, about 20 seconds. Transfer to a large bowl.Tip: You can crush the cookies in a bag instead of using a processor.
- Place the nuts in the food processor and process them into fine crumbs. Transfer the crushed nuts to the bowl with the cookie crumbs.Tip: You can finely chop the nuts by hand instead of using a processor.
- Sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder into the bowl of cookies and nuts. Stir to combine.Tip: A fine mesh strainer and a light touch are all you need to sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Hold the mesh strainer in one hand and gently tap its side with a finger from your opposite hand.
- In a separate small bowl, mix the honey and rum together until the honey is completely dissolved.
- Pour the rum mixture into the crumb mixture and stir to mix the ingredients.
- Scoop the cookie mixture into balls and roll the balls in the palm of your hands. Place the balls on a sheet of wax paper, a plate, or a mat.Tip: Rum balls can be made into any size but I like rolling them into 1-inch bites.
- Roll the balls in your choice of candied sprinkles, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or chopped nuts.
- Cover and store the rum balls in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Notes
-
- Preparation is Key: Before diving in, review the complete recipe as well as the Ingredient Notes section.
-
- Troubleshooting Dough Texture: If the mixture feels too tough to roll, a quick chill in the fridge can make it more manageable. To prevent sticking, lightly coat your hands with cooking spray.
-
- Adjusting Rum Intensity: If your dough feels dry or you’re after a stronger rum flavor, a splash of extra rum will do the trick. Keep in mind that additional rum may require a small bump in cookie crumbs to maintain consistency.
-
- Personalize Flavor: The base recipe already packs a robust rum flavor, but feel free to ramp it up. Just be mindful that extra rum might necessitate a slight increase in cookie crumbs to achieve the right texture.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Can I use Rum extract instead, and if so how much? Will it change the consistency of the dough?
I haven’t used rum extract in this rum balls recipe but McCormick (spices) suggests using 2 tsp of McCormick Culinary Imitation Rum Extract for 1 TBSP of dark rum – this article provides a bit more information on using rum extract in recipes -https://bit.ly/3N2Ug76
So yummy and so easy! Toasted the cashew nuts. Really glad we doubled the recipe. Can’t wait to make with Cointreau.
I made mine with peanut butter whiskey and added some crushed up butterfingers candy bar then rolled the balls in the left over butterfingers yummy
Next I’m gonna make the rum balls and add health crunch and roll them in the English toffee
Oh my!!! That sounds amazing. What a wonderful idea.
Easy, fast, and pretty – perfect for entertaining! And as others have mentioned, there are endless amazing variations to try.
As a substitute for the rum, I have also used 100-proof Southern Comfort or an orange flavored liqueur such as Grand Marnier.
Good recipe using Kaluha instead of rum.
Good recipe.