Monday, December 17, 2018

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

12 comments:

  1. LOL. I was just at my Mom's house yesterday making up a batch of bourbon balls. She used to use rum but now that I have taken over the duties I use bourbon. I also use the Hershey's special double dark cocoa. We roll them in confectioner's sugar. Rolling them in cocoa drink mix is a fabulous idea.

    We had discussed some variation in the liquor used. One year we had no bourbon so I used kirsch. They came out great but a little strong so I made a mental note to use less the next time. Yesterday we discussed other options such as Chambord or Cointreau. Cherry, orange and raspberry are all classic pairings with chocolate. I imagine creme de cacao or even creme de menthe would also be good.

    Those colored sugars would be great if a variety were made; red for the kirsch and green for the creme de menthe.

    Wow, so many great ideas I'm sorry I made them already.

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  2. These remind of the Bourbon Balls my grandmother used to make Lynn! Love the sparkling sugar versions ♥

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  3. I'm running out of time to bake all my cookies, so keeping this in my back pocket for a quick alternative! I need to find some of that sparkly gold sugar---so pretty!!

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  4. Your walk down memory lane cookies look like sparkly gems, Lynn! I'm sure that the flavor is wonderful.

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  5. No one in my family ever made rum balls and didn't even have them until I was an adult. They are so pretty with the different colors of sparkling sugar!

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  6. Is this really 1 cup of rum? Seems like a lot of liquid. The original recipe calls for 1/4 c. Just want to make sure before I ruin the batch. Sounds great!

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    1. Also, love the colored sugar idea! Never thought of it...

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    2. OMG, thank you so much for catching that! Yes, 1/4 C, corrected now:@)

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  7. What a great recipe Lynn! I know rum balls a holiday classic, but I don't think I've ever had one! These sound so good and I love all the different ways you suggested they could be made. Yes, the gold ones for Christmas Eve would be fabulous! I can't wait to try these, right now I could use a swig of rum or two!!
    Jenna

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  8. My mom made rum balls! We loved them as teenagers when we would sneak one. LOL

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  9. These look delicious! Thanks for sharing with us at the Happy Holidays Link Party! This will be one of my features next Wednesday!

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  10. This look adorable and I'm sure very yummy. I'd love to make them too.
    Thank you for sharing the recipe with us dear Lynn. Pinning.
    Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year to you.
    Fabby

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