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Home » Seasonal » Christmas Baking » The Best Rum Balls

The Best Rum Balls

Created: December 24, 2019 Updated: July 27, 2020 by Lyuba Brooke 16 Comments

20.2K shares
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Rum Balls are sweet, no-bake adult cookies that are perfect for holidays and parties. These easy, chewy cookies are a combination of crushed vanilla wafers, nuts, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, honey, dark rum, and cinnamon. Roll them in some more crushed nuts, cocoa powder, or powdered sugar as a finishing touch. These rum balls will last a long time in the refrigerator or freeze them to enjoy later. 

rum balls

RUM BALLS

Rum Ball are the best possible dessert for adults. First of all, we don’t have to share it with the kids, no matter how much they beg. These cookies are also so easy to make, there is no baking required. And of course, it’s loaded with rum.

These cookies are soft, chewy, and rich in flavor. You can adjust the recipe a little bit to make it fit your own taste pallet by choosing different nuts, rum, and you can even make them gluten free. 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.

If you have extra time and want to add a little more flavor to these cookies, it’s best to roast nuts first. Spread the nuts out on a baking sheet, in one even layer, and bake at 350° for 6-8 minutes. (Be careful not to burn them.) Let them cool and then pulse in a food processor until small crumbled appear. 

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 gold rum or dark rum. You can even use 151 rum for a higher alcohol content. 

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rum ball dough in a glass bowl being scooped out with cookie scoop

HOW TO MAKE RUM BALLS

To toast nuts first: Preheat oven to 350° 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 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 either #40 r #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. 

(You can also dip rum balls in chocolate coating.)

rolled rum balls on parchment paper

HOW TO STORE RUM BALLS

Store rum balls in an air-tight container. It’s best to store them in the refrigerator to prevent rum from evaporating and they will last longer too. For the best results, make rum balls ahead of time and let them sit for a day to give the ingredients time to come together. 

You can also freeze rum balls. Place rum balls on a baking sheet and freeze for about 2 hours. Once frozen, transfer them into a freezer bag, get as much air out as you can, and freeze for up to 2 months. 

rum balls and toppings on parchment paper

CAN I MAKE GLUTEN FREE RUM BALLS?

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. 

coated rum balls on a cutting board

MORE NO BAKE DESSERT RECIPES TO TRY

Pumpkin Spice Rum Balls

Eggnog Cookie Balls

Espresso Chocolate Truffles

Peppermint Fudge Truffles

Cake Batter Truffles

Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow

rum ball cut in half piled up on other rum balls

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PIN THIS RECIPE

The Best Rum Balls

These easy, chewy cookies are a combination of crushed vanilla cookies, nuts, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, honey, dark rum, and cinnamon. 
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 20 (more or less depending on size)
Calories: 165kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 11 oz vanilla wafers
  • 1 cup crushed pecans (can also use walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup dark rum (can also use 151 rum or gold rum)
  • 3 tbsp honey

Toppings:

  • powdered sugar
  • cocoa powder
  • crushed pecans

Instructions

  • (Optional) To toast nuts: Preheat oven to 350° 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

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have a slight variation.

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 63mg | Potassium: 52mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles

rum balls collage

LYUBA

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

20.2K shares

Filed Under: Christmas Baking, Cookies, Dessert

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

Comments

  1. Penny Albritton says

    December 10, 2022 at 12:36 am

    I followed the recipe exactly.

    Reply
  2. Candee says

    December 4, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    5 stars
    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 👌

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      December 6, 2022 at 8:59 am

      Yum! Thanks for sharing a gluten-free option!

      Reply
  3. Megan says

    November 21, 2022 at 3:55 pm

    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?

    Reply
  4. Mike G. says

    October 24, 2022 at 1:25 am

    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!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      October 24, 2022 at 8:38 am

      I am glad you liked it, Mike!

      Reply
  5. abigail L baker says

    December 23, 2021 at 8:33 am

    this is a great recipe, i used it last year and again this year, i dont use honey but i use corn syrup

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      December 29, 2021 at 12:01 am

      I am so happy you liked the recipe, Abigail!

      Reply
  6. Donna says

    December 22, 2021 at 5:22 pm

    5 stars
    Easy to make, I used cinnamon whiskey and the “whiskey” balls are great. I followed the recipe with the one exception above.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      December 29, 2021 at 12:04 am

      Yum! Good idea, Donna!

      Reply
  7. Becky says

    December 22, 2021 at 8:08 am

    Can you use cashews or macadamia nuts in place of walnuts, pecans, or almonds?

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      December 22, 2021 at 3:09 pm

      Yeah, that would work. Cashews are a little more oily but it won’t affect the texture much.

      Reply
  8. Kellie says

    January 11, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      January 13, 2021 at 3:02 pm

      Yay! Glad you liked them, Kellie!

      Reply
  9. Kelley says

    December 28, 2020 at 12:03 pm

    Can you substitute Light Corn Syrup

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      December 28, 2020 at 2:04 pm

      Hi Kelley,

      This recipe doesn’t have corn syrup. Did you mean to comment on a different one?

      Reply

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Well, hey there!

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read More.

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