With a blend of chopped nuts, vanilla wafers, confectioners sugar, and yes, Rum! Rum Balls are a grownup-favorite festive treat that are easy to make and fun to gift. They taste even better after a day or two in the refrigerator, so I recommend making them in advance. Perfect little holiday treat for the cookie tray!
Those who know me know I am a big rum fan so it is no surprise that Rom Balls are a part of my Christmas baking. Always. It also helps that they are easy. LOL
Let’s give the grownups some credit around the holidays. We have a LOT to do in a short amount of time. Between decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, planning for guests or travel, hosting/attending parties… it’s a fun time of year, but also the busiest. So let’s do a little something especially for the grownups for a change… let’s make rum balls!
A note to Canadians – Nilla Wafers are a key part of this recipe and are no longer available in Canada. You can find gluten free vanilla wafers at Bulk Barn or in your grocery store. If you can find those just grind up some plain cookies. When Rum Balls were first made they were made with dried scrapes of cake that had been trimmed before decorating. You just need something dry to soak up the rum. 🙂
Rum Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed vanilla wafers you want them crushed, not ground into a powder
- 1 cup ground walnuts or pecans I use pecans
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 2 T cocoa powder
- 2 1/2 T corn syrup mild tasting honey would work as well
- 1/4 cup rum and extra for the cook. 🙂
- ground nuts, sprinkles or confectioners sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Mix the ground cookies, nuts, confectioners sugar and cocoa.
- Add corn syrup and rum.
- Shape into 3/4 inch balls.
- Roll in ground nuts, confectioners sugar or chocolate sprinkles. I always use chocolate sprinkles with some red and green mixed in to make them extra festive