Rum Balls are always a crowd-favorite treat that’s rich, chocolatey, and a cinch to make. Whether you’re planning for the holiday season or just looking for a way to satisfy your sweet tooth, these no-bake bites are delicious, versatile, and customizable for any occasion.
Ingredients
This easy no-bake recipe uses simple ingredients to create an absolutely irresistible dessert!
- Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate – This adds a deep, rich chocolate flavor that balances the sweetness of the other ingredients. Be sure to melt it slowly in intervals to avoid burning.
- Powdered Sugar – Confectioners sugar is fine and dissolves easily for a smooth and sweet consistency.
- Light Corn Syrup or Honey – Either of these acts as a binding agent and adds just the right amount of sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract or Rum Extract – Whichever you choose, either will add a warm flavor that enhances the chocolate and rum notes. Using the rum extract will add even more rum flavor.
- Spiced Rum or Apple Juice – The spiced rum gives these treats their signature boozy kick, while apple juice works for a non-alcoholic version for a family-friendly version. Spiced rum can be light but you can also use a dark rum — just make sure to use the best rum that you’d be happy to sip on as well. Alternatively, you can also use an alcohol-free rum.
- Fine Sea Salt – A pinch of salt brings out the sweetness and balances the other flavors.
- Crushed Vanilla Wafers – Vanilla wafer cookies are easy to chop up (or you can run them through the food processor) and they give the rum balls their structure. Just make sure that you process them into a fine crumb.
- Optional Toppings – Powdered sugar, chocolate sprinkles, sweetened coconut flakes, chopped nuts, hot chocolate powder, cocoa powder, or festive sprinkles. Pick your favorites to coat the rum balls!
Variations
Want to mix things up? Here are some fun ways to change up your rum balls!
- Dark Chocolate – Use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet for a richer, more intense chocolate flavor.
- Almond Extract – Swap out vanilla or rum extract for almond extract for a nutty twist.
- Crushed Graham Crackers – Replace the vanilla wafers with graham cracker crumbs for a slightly different base flavor.
- Coconut Rum – Use coconut rum for a tropical flair that pairs perfectly with sweetened coconut flakes as a topping.
- Espresso Powder – Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the mixture for a mocha-inspired treat.
- Dried Fruit – Fold in finely chopped dried fruit like cherries, cranberries, or apricots for a little bit of chewy texture and a burst of flavor.
- Peppermint Extract – Use peppermint extract and coat the rum balls in crushed peppermint candies for a festive holiday version.
- Chocolate Chips – Stir in some chocolate chips — you can use dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips.
- Cookies – Substitute other cookies for the vanilla wafer crumbs. Try ginger snaps, gingerbread cookies, or Biscoff cookies.
How to Make Chocolate Rum Balls
Making rum balls is a simple process that comes together in just a few easy steps.
- Melt the Chocolate. Place the semi-sweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in intervals. Stir after each interval — the chocolate is ready when it’s melted and smooth.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted chocolate with powdered sugar, corn syrup, extract, rum, and salt. Stir until smooth and well-blended.
- Incorporate the Dry Ingredients. Add in the cookie crumbs and gently stir until the mixture is evenly combined. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to firm up.
- Roll Into Balls. Scoop the mixture using a tablespoon-sized scoop and roll it into balls. Immediately roll them in your chosen toppings until fully coated.
- Chill Until Ready to Serve. Store the rum balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Let them soften slightly at room temperature before serving.
Storage and Freezing
Rum balls are easy to store and keep well, making them perfect for prepping ahead.
Make Ahead
You can make the mixture and roll the balls a day or two in advance. Coat them in toppings just a little bit before serving — be sure to leave at least an hour for them to set.
How to Store
Store the rum balls in an airtight container, or wrapped in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Can I Freeze Rum Balls?
To freeze, place the rum balls in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep for up to three months. Let them thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Common Questions About Rum Balls
It’s pretty unlikely that you’ll get a serious buzz when you eat these rum balls. While they aren’t baked, they do have alcohol in them, but the amount of rum that is used is minimal enough that most people will likely not feel tipsy after eating them.
Rum balls are typically a combination of chocolate, cookies, rum, and a sweetener. They can also include a variety of toppings.
Kids should not eat rum balls unless apple juice is used instead of rum. These are no-bake treats, meaning the alcohol remains in them.
More Delicious Handheld Desserts
Want more desserts that are perfect for a holiday spread, gift-giving, or just keeping around for a snack? Check out these easy sweet recipes!
Rum Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup of semi-sweet baking chocolate
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons light corn syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or rum extract
- ½ cup spiced rum* or apple juice
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 cups vanilla wafer cookie crumbs , approximately a 12 ounce box
- Desired toppings: powdered sugar , chocolate sprinkles, sweetened coconut flakes, chopped nuts, hot chocolate powder, cocoa powder, festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Melt the semi-sweet chocolate in a microwave safe dish at 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until melted.
- Transfer the melted chocolate to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the powdered sugar, corn syrup, extract, rum and salt until smooth.
- Fold in the vanilla cookie crumbs until it is evenly mixed. Cover and chill for 1-2 hours.
- Using a 1tablespoon cookie scoop, roll into balls. Immediately while still tacky, roll the balls in your desired toppings. You’ll need about 1 cup total- so ½ cup of two or ¼ cup of 4 toppings.
- Transfer them to an airtight container and keep chilled until ready to serve.
- When serving, take them out of the fridge for about 15 minutes to let them soften a tad.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Nutrition
