How to Make the Perfect Rum Balls
American · Easy · 80 min · 24 servings
These classic rum balls are a grown up holiday treat that can easily be made kid friendly by swapping rum for apple juice or vanilla extract. Kids love helping roll them in powdered sugar or sprinkles making them a festive and fun no bake treat.
Why this recipe works
This Rum Balls recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 80 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 115 calories with 1g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2.5 cups vanilla wafer cookie crumbs
- 1 cup powdered sugar divided
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 0.5 cup apple juice or rum for adults
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 0.5 cup finely chopped pecans
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl whisk together vanilla wafer crumbs half the powdered sugar cocoa powder and finely chopped pecans until evenly combined and no streaks of cocoa remain.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Add apple juice and corn syrup to the dry mixture. Stir until a moist dough forms that holds together when pressed. If the mixture seems too dry add one more tablespoon of liquid at a time.
Step 3: Roll Into Balls
Scoop tablespoon sized portions and roll between your palms into smooth round balls. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. If the mixture sticks to your hands lightly dampen them with water.
Step 4: Coat and Chill
Roll each ball in the remaining powdered sugar until fully coated. Place on the baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. The flavor improves significantly after chilling overnight.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- apple juice → rum for an adult version of this classic holiday treat
- vanilla wafer crumbs → chocolate cookie crumbs for a double chocolate version
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Adding too much liquid at once making the mixture too wet and sticky to roll into balls
- Not chilling the balls long enough before serving which causes them to be too soft to hold their shape
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 115 calories, 1g protein, 16g carbs, 5g fat, 1g fiber.
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