Rum Balls -A No Bake Cookie/Confection with Lots of Options

G-Mom-B made Rum Balls every Christmas. And to be honest, I don't know how the rest of the family felt, but as a kid, they weren't a favorite of mine. I'd stick to spritz and walnut laden chocolate chip cookies-thank you very much! But... As time goes on I find myself occasionally taking little walks down memory lane (especially at the holidays) and I smiled when I remembered these cookies. It was time to make some!

Grandmom would roll them in powdered sugar, I chose to add a little colorful pizzazz... My favorite cookie for looks are the ones with sparkly gold sugar (elegant New Year's Eve party anyone?). My favorite cookie for flavor are the ones rolled in hot cocoa mix:@) Oh and, see the green and white ones in the lower left corner? Yep, they can even be made in team colors!

Thoughts:

• Recipe is easily cut in half.
• It's always a good idea to toast the nuts before grinding them.
• I used my 3 C food chopper on the cookies and nuts and it did a fine job in no time.
• Use any liquor of choice, spiced rum, bourbon, Grand Marnier, flavored vodka, schnapps, etc.
• Don't want to use alcohol? Substitute orange juice.
• Use any cookie flavor of choice, chocolate, graham crackers, gingerbread, etc.
• Use any nut of choice, walnuts, pecans, almonds, etc.
• These cookies are rich and strong, I suggest keeping them small, pop it into your mouth, one bite size.
• I'm seriously lovin' that great gold glittery sugar from Wilton! 
• Store in airtight container if serving/gifting soon, or place in fridge/freezer for longer storage.

Rum Balls-adapted from Taste of Home
2 1/2 C crushed vanilla wafer cookies
1 C ground nuts, either pecan or walnut-I used walnuts
1 C powdered sugar
2 Tblsp plus 2 tsp baking cocoa powder-I'm fond of Hershey's
1/4 C rum-I used Myers Dark Rum
3 Tblsp honey or corn syrup-I used corn syrup
2 Tblsp water ~or~ I opted for more rum:@)
Colored sugar, powdered sugar, crushed cookies, ground nut bits, cocoa powder, hot cocoa mix, or anything else that sounds good to roll them in.

1. Toss everything into large bowl, knead it with clean hands until it comes together.
2. Roll into 1", bite size, balls. Roll in sugar, etc to coat the cookies.
3. Store in airtight container for a few days so flavors mingle. I hear they can be frozen too. If coating them in powdered sugar or hot cocoa mix, chill without the coating and give them a quick toss before serving or gifting.

Enjoy a cookie and have a happy day:@)

I'm Joining:
Happy Holiday Link Party

Miz Helen's Annual Holiday Cookie Exchange