Description
Delicious and easy-to-make rum balls combining crushed vanilla wafers, toasted nuts, cocoa, cinnamon, and a smooth mixture of dark rum and honey. These no-bake treats are perfect for holiday gatherings and can be customized with various coatings like powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or crushed nuts for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 11 oz vanilla wafers
- 1 cup crushed pecans (can also use walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup dark rum (can also use 151 rum or gold rum)
- 3 tbsp honey
Toppings
- powdered sugar
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- crushed pecans
Instructions
- Toast Nuts (Optional but Recommended): Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread pecans or your choice of nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet, avoiding overcrowding. Bake for 6-8 minutes until browned and fragrant. Allow them to cool completely before processing.
- Process Vanilla Wafers: Pulse vanilla wafers in a food processor until finely crumbled, then transfer the crumbs to a large mixing bowl.
- Process Nuts: Pulse cooled toasted nuts in the food processor until crushed and crumbly, then add them to the same mixing bowl with the cookie crumbs.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and ground cinnamon to the bowl and whisk everything together until evenly mixed.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the dark rum and honey until smooth.
- Form the Dough: Pour the rum and honey mixture into the dry mixture and use a spatula to mix thoroughly until you achieve a uniform dough. If the dough feels warm, refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up for easier rolling.
- Shape Rum Balls: Use a cookie scoop (#40 or #50) or your preferred size to portion dough, then roll into balls with your hands.
- Coat Rum Balls: Roll each ball in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or crushed nuts. You can use one coating for all or a variety depending on preference.
Notes
- Gluten Free Notes: Substitute gluten-free graham crackers, shortbread, or sugar cookies for vanilla wafers, ensuring they are hard cookies without filling. Verify rum is gluten free.
- Nut Options: Use pecans, walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts as preferred.
- Rum Options: Dark or spiced rum are preferred for flavor; 151 rum can be used if higher alcohol content is desired.
- Alcohol-Free Version: Replace rum with 1-2 teaspoons of rum extract plus enough water or apple juice to make 1/2 cup liquid total.
- Storage: Keep rum balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks or freeze for up to two months.
- Make-Ahead: Flavor improves after 2-3 days, making these perfect for early holiday preparation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 rum ball
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
