The Best Rum Balls Recipe
The best part? There’s no baking required! You simply mix, roll, and coat these boozy treats in your choice of powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or crushed nuts. They’re endlessly customizable, can be made gluten-free, and actually taste better after a few days in the fridge.
Featured Comment
Made these for New Year’s Eve. They were awesome. My first time making rum balls. Won’t be my last. Thanks for a great recipe. ~Kellie
Why My Rum Balls Recipe Is Special
Super easy: no bake, no chill, takes about 20 minutes to make!
Impressive presentation: with lots of different coating options.
Balanced boozy flavor: These have a noticeable rum presence without being overwhelming.
Customizable to your taste: You can easily adjust the rum level, choose different nuts, swap the type of alcohol, or make them gluten-free. I’ve included all my professional tips for variations below and MANY of my readers adjust them to their own taste!
Make-ahead friendly: Unlike many holiday cookies, rum balls improve with time. The flavors develop and deepen after 2-3 days in the refrigerator, making them perfect for early holiday prep.
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
All simple ingredients many people already have and they are widely available at grocery stores:
Vanilla Wafers – use a brand like Nilla Wafers or generic store brand. Substitute: If you can’t find vanilla wafers, vanilla short bread cookies or other vanilla crunchy cookies will work too. If needed, use gluten free vanilla crunchy cookies.
Pecans – Pecans are my first choice because of their buttery flavor and how beautifully they complement rum. Substitute: walnuts (earthier flavor), almonds (more delicate), or hazelnuts (richer and more luxurious, though pricier).
Powdered Sugar – Also called confectioners’ sugar, this sweetens the rum balls and helps bind the mixture together. The fine texture distributes evenly throughout the dough.
Cocoa Powder – Use natural unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch-processed. Natural cocoa has a more intense chocolate flavor that stands up well to the rum.
Ground Cinnamon – This warm spice is subtle but essential for a warm spiced flavor. Feel free to also add a little nutmeg, and/or allspice.
Dark Rum – This is where your rum balls get their signature flavor. I recommend using a flavorful dark rum or spiced rum rather than light rum for deeper and richer flavor with spices and/or caramel notes. (You can even try creamy rum liqueurs, like in my RumChata rum balls.)
Honey – Honey acts as the “glue” that brings everything together. It adds moisture and just a hint of floral sweetness while helping the mixture hold its shape when rolled into balls. Substitute with light corn syrup or maple syrup if needed.
Coating Options For Rum Balls
There are so many great options to roll your rum balls, choose your favorite or try a variety for best presentation of options:
- Powdered Sugar (aka confectioners’ sugar, try it spiced powdered sugar with cinnamon)
- Cocoa Powder (can also spice it or mix with powdered sugar)
- Crushed Pecans (or other nuts)
- Sweetened shredded coconut (chop it for best presentation)
- Chocolate sprinkles or festive sprinkles
- Cocoa nibs
- Cookie crumbs
How To Make Rum Balls
To toast nuts first (optional step but HIGHLY recommended): To toast pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 6-8 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re fragrant and slightly darker in color. Let them cool completely before processing.
Pulse vanilla wafers in a food processor until all crumbled and transfer crumbs into a large mixing bowl. Pulse nuts in the food processor next, until all crushed and crumbled, and add them to the mixing bowl. Add the rest of the dry ingredients and whisk it all together until evenly combined.
Whisk rum and honey together until smooth and add it to the cookie mixture. Use a spatula to mix the dough together. If the dough it a little warm, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before rolling out. It will make it easier to roll it into the balls.
Scoop cookie dough with a cookie scoop and roll it into balls. (I use #40 (1 1/2 Tbsp) cookie scoop but you can use even smaller one to make more.)
Roll each ball in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or crushed nuts. You can choose to roll all cookies in one kind of coating or make some of each.
(You can also dip rum balls in tempered chocolate coating.)
Storing, Make Ahead, and Freezing Instructions
Refrigerator Storage: Store rum balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 2 weeks. Here’s my method:
- Choose a container with a tight-fitting lid.
- Line the bottom with parchment or wax paper.
- Arrange rum balls in a single layer, not touching.
- If stacking layers, place parchment paper between each layer.
- Seal tightly and refrigerate.
Important note: Rum balls coated in powdered sugar should be coated right before serving, as the sugar absorbs moisture and turns to glaze. This is normal!
Freezer Storage: Rum balls freeze exceptionally well for up to 2 months. Here’s my method:
- Arrange rum balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, not touching each other.
- Flash-freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
- Transfer frozen rum balls to a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container.
- Label with the date.
- Freeze for up to 2 months
- To serve: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make gluten free rum balls! Instead of vanilla wafers, use gluten free graham crackers, gluten free shortbread cookies, or gluten free sugar cookies instead. Just make sure to use hard cookies without any filling, not soft cookies.
Double check the rum out are using and make sure it’s gluten free as well.
Choose between pecans, walnuts, almost and hazelnuts for the rum balls. I love using hazelnuts but it can run a little pricey. It’s probably the most expensive nut option and pecans are the second most expensive. Good news is that stores always have pecans on sale around the holidays.
Wondering what rum to use? It’s actually a very common question about making rum balls. It’s best to use a more flavorful rum like spiced rum or dark rum. You can even use 151 rum for a higher alcohol content.
So readers also mentioned using Kahlua, Bailey’s Irish cream, bourbon and brandy quite successfully!
Yes, you technically can! Just make sure to store in a cool and dry place and in an air-tight container. At room temperature, they will last a few days but they still start to dry out.
How To Package Rum Balls For Gift Giving
These little festive cookies make great neighbor, co-worker and friend gifts:
- Simply arrange 8-12 rum balls in a decorative tin, or clear cellophane bag tied with ribbon.
- Line tins or boxes with colorful tissue paper or parchment paper, and nestle the rum balls inside.
- You can use mini truffle paper liners for each rum ball.
- For an extra-special touch, mix all three coating varieties for visual interest.
- Include a small gift tag that mentions they contain alcohol.
More No Bake Holiday Dessert Recipes To Try
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The Best Rum Balls Recipe
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
- (Optional but highly recommended) To toast nuts: Preheat oven to 350°F and spread pecans (or other nuts) on a baking sheet in one layer. (Don’t overcrowd them.) Bake them for 6-8 minutes, until browned and fragrant. Cool them down before adding to the food processor.
- Pulse vanilla wafers in a food processor until all crumbled and transfer crumbs into a large mixing bowl.
- Pulse nuts in the food processor next, until all crushed and crumbled, and add them to the mixing bowl.
- Add the remaining dry ingredients and whisk it all together until evenly combined.
- Whisk rum and honey together until smooth and add it to the cookie mixture.
- Use a spatula to mix the dough together. (If the dough it a little warm, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before rolling out. It will make it easier to roll it into the balls.)
- Scoop cookie dough with a cookie scoop and roll it into balls. (I use either #40 or #50 cookie scoop but you can use even smaller one to make more.)
- Roll each ball in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or crushed nuts. (You can choose to roll all cookies in one kind of coating or make some of each.)
Notes
- Gluten Free Notes: Instead of vanilla wafers, use gluten free graham crackers, gluten free shortbread cookies, or gluten free sugar cookies instead. Just make sure to use hard cookies without any filling, not soft cookies. (Double check the rum.)
- Nut Options: Choose between pecans, walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts for the rum balls.
- Rum Options: It’s best to use a more flavorful rum like spiced rum or dark rum. You can even use 151 rum for a higher alcohol content.
- Alcohol-Free Version: Replace rum with 1-2 teaspoons rum extract plus enough water or apple juice to equal ½ cup total liquid.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Make-Ahead: These taste even better after 2-3 days as flavors develop. Perfect for early holiday prep!
Nutrition
Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles in December 2019.
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Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.
Can you suggest a replacement for vanilla wafers. Apparently they are no longer made.
Are you sure you’re searching for the right cookie? They’re still available in all of my local stores. The brand name is actually Nilla Wafers, not “vanilla wafers,” so maybe that’s why they’re not showing up for you. Try looking for Nilla Wafers by Nabisco and let me know if you still can’t find them.
The best rum balls I have ever made!! 😋
I did add 1/2 tsp. of Allspice since I used
Gold Rum .
Thank you for sharing your recipe! 🎄
Thank you so much, Carol! I’m thrilled to hear these are the best rum balls you’ve ever made—that means so much! Adding a touch of allspice sounds like a fantastic idea, especially with gold rum. I love how you made the recipe your own! 🎄 Wishing you a joyful and delicious holiday season!
What cookie dough? Can I use any? Which is the best ?
I didn’t use cookie dough it’s premade in-the-box vanilla wafer cookies.
I had to use more rum in my batch. It was a little too dry. . . But I’m sure my friends wouldn’t mind the extra alcohol!!
haha well I am glad it worked for you!
Can I use brandy I stead?
Sure, if you prefer the taste of brandy you can use that. Let me know how it goes!
I used Kahula instead regular rum. Kahula is rum with coffee liquor. Turned out delicious
Yum! Glad you liked them!
Gerri,
I’ve used Kahula or Triple Sec in these chocolate cookie balls (and played around with nut choices). Both are delicious variations.
Thanks so much for sharing your variations! I am so glad you like them!
I used Kahula instead regular rum. Kahula is rum with coffee liquor. Turned out de
can you mail the rum balls
I don’t see why not. Just follow proper food shipping practices!
I followed the recipe exactly.
I made this recipe with GF ginger snaps instead of vanilla wafers and maple syrup in place of honey. Everyone said they were “to die for”. Fabulous 👌
Yum! Thanks for sharing a gluten-free option!
Just curious…Am noticing that every alcohol-ball contains some form of nut. Are nuts necessary for the recipe or can they be left out for allergies?
Hi Megan, the nuts are not necessary but they do contribute to texture. If you have allergies, definitely leave it out, it will just be a more smooth cookie ball. Substitute more cookie instead of the nuts for consistency.
This is probably my favorite and easiest delicacy recipe! I have made them multiple times!
Always a show stopper…
I do add a splash more rum though.. gives them a nice bite!
Coatings, I is cocoa powder with a dash of cinnamon… A sugar blend of palm and cane with roasted and chopped pecans (almonds make a nice addition too…. And powdered sugar… The three look amazing together!
Great for gifts and parties anytime of the year!
I am glad you liked it, Mike!
this is a great recipe, i used it last year and again this year, i dont use honey but i use corn syrup
I am so happy you liked the recipe, Abigail!
Easy to make, I used cinnamon whiskey and the “whiskey” balls are great. I followed the recipe with the one exception above.
Yum! Good idea, Donna!
Can you use cashews or macadamia nuts in place of walnuts, pecans, or almonds?
Yeah, that would work. Cashews are a little more oily but it won’t affect the texture much.
Made these for New Year’s Eve. They were awesome. My first time making rum balls. Won’t be my last. Thanks for a great recipe.
Yay! Glad you liked them, Kellie!
Can you substitute Light Corn Syrup
Hi Kelley,
This recipe doesn’t have corn syrup. Did you mean to comment on a different one?