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Home » Dessert » Rum Balls Recipe

Published: November 28, 2022 Last Modified: November 28, 2022 By Sara 89 Comments

Rum Balls Recipe

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These rum balls are a blend of liquor, chocolate, pecans and cookie crumbs, all rolled together and coated with sprinkles.
These rum balls are a blend of liquor, chocolate, pecans and cookie crumbs, all rolled together and coated with sprinkles.
These rum balls are a blend of liquor, chocolate, pecans and cookie crumbs, all rolled together and coated with sprinkles.

These rum balls are a blend of liquor, chocolate, pecans and cookie crumbs, all rolled together and coated with sprinkles. The perfect dessert or gift option for the holidays that’s sure to be a hit with family and friends.

There’s nothing better than homemade treats, especially around the holidays. I like to offer peanut brittle, chocolate covered Oreos, or these delightful little rum balls to my guests.

A tin of rum balls coated in holiday sprinkles.

When the holidays roll around, I spend plenty of time in the kitchen making festive treats. These no-bake rum balls take just minutes to put together, and they’re the perfect blend of nuts and chocolate.

Rum Ball ingredients

Bowls of ingredients including cookies, nuts, chocolate and flavorings.

This recipe is made with vanilla wafer cookies (such as Nilla brand), pecans, chocolate, rum, powdered sugar, corn syrup, vanilla extract, salt and sprinkles.

How do you make rum balls?

Making rum balls is all about mixing the flavorful ingredients into a pool of melted chocolate. First melt some chocolate in the microwave. Stir sifted powered sugar into the chocolate. Mix in dark rum, vanilla and corn syrup. In a separate bowl, take some crushed vanilla wafers, pecans and salt, and stir them together. The wafers and pecans go into the chocolate mixture and your “dough” is complete. After the dough chills a bit in the fridge, roll up the dough into balls. Dip those balls into sprinkles, then serve and enjoy.

Step by step process shots showing melted chocolate being mixed with powdered sugar and rum.

Tips for the perfect candy

  • Keep the dough chilled to make it easier to roll it into balls. If the dough warms up too much to roll, put it back in the refrigerator for a few minutes. You can coat your hands with a little cooking spray if you find the dough sticking to your hands.
  • The measurements in the recipe are for the whole cookies and pecans. Measure them out first, then crush them second.
  • Feel free to make these a couple of days ahead of when you want to serve them. The extra time helps the crushed cookies in the balls absorb the rum flavor. Store the balls in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve them.
  • I use a food processor to easily crush my cookies and nuts into fine pieces.
Process photos showing rum balls being made.

Recipe FAQs

Are rum balls alcoholic?

Yes, these balls do contain alcohol. Since the rum is never cooked, the alcohol remains in the balls. Rum balls have a bit of a kick and are not for anyone under the age of 21

Do rum balls need to be refrigerated?

If you store these treats in an airtight container in a cool area, they do not need to be refrigerated. However, these balls hold together better, last longer and taste better if refrigerated. I highly recommend refrigerating these treats in an airtight container.

How long are rum balls good for?

These treats stay fresh in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Serve them chilled out of the refrigerator or let them thaw on the counter. Don’t store these candies in a warm area. The balls will soften and become harder to eat if they become warm. Storing the balls at a warm temperature will decrease the time that they stay fresh.

A plate of rum balls with holiday decorations around it.

Flavor Variations

While these treats are delicious as-is, you can switch up the ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.

  • Coatings: While I like the festive look of the sprinkles, you can also coat your balls in more chopped nuts, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, finely shredded coconut, or simply leave them plain. Another great option would be to dip them in dark or white chocolate.
  • Nuts: You can easily swap out the pecans for almonds or walnuts.
  • Cookies: Instead of vanilla wafers, try graham crackers or Oreo cookies for a different flavor.
  • Alcohol: No rum on hand? You can also use brandy or cognac.

These rum balls are a festive and fun holiday treat. They are full of complex flavors and have just the right amount of kick to liven up any party or gathering.

More festive treats you’ll enjoy

  • Eggnog Cookies
  • Christmas Crack
  • Monster Cookies (Christmas Version)
  • Christmas Punch
  • Christmas Tree Brownies

Rum Balls Video

A tin of rum balls coated in holiday sprinkles.
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4.88 from 39 votes

Rum Balls

These rum balls are a blend of liquor, chocolate, pecans and cookie crumbs, all rolled together and coated with sprinkles. The perfect dessert or gift option for the holidays that's sure to be a hit with family and friends.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Chilling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 41 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 176kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips do not use Nestle brand as they do not melt well
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup dark rum
  • 3 cups vanilla wafers crushed (such as Nilla wafers)
  • 1 cup pecans crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup sprinkles

Instructions

  • Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Start by microwaving the chocolate for 35 seconds. Stir the chocolate and microwave it for an additional 20 seconds. Repeat until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
  • Pour the powdered sugar into the melted chocolate through a sifter or a strainer. Stir the powdered sugar into the melted chocolate.
  • Pour the dark rum, corn syrup and vanilla into the chocolate mixture. Mix everything
    together until it is smooth.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together crushed vanilla wafers, crushed pecans and salt.
  • Stir the vanilla wafer mixture into the chocolate mixture until everything is evenly
    distributed.
  • Cover the mixture and chill it for 20-30 minutes.
  • Remove the mixture from the refrigerator and roll 1 inch balls.
  • Dip each of the balls in sprinkles, chill them in the refrigerator until firm and serve.

Notes

  1. Feel free to make these a couple of days ahead of when you want to serve them. The extra time helps the crushed cookies in the balls absorb the rum flavor. Store the balls in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve them.
  2. I use a food processor to easily crush my cookies and nuts into fine pieces.
  3. The measurements in the recipe are for the whole cookies and pecans. Measure them out first, then crush them second.

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 106mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
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Filed Under: Christmas, Dessert

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    Comments

    1. Lori says

      December 21, 2022 at 9:26 pm

      Can you substitute the corn syrup for anything else?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 22, 2022 at 8:15 am

        The corn syrup makes the mixture soft enough to roll, I’m not sure if there’s a good substitute.

        Reply
      • Ev says

        January 3, 2023 at 3:33 pm

        5 stars
        I made them using honey in place of the corn syrup. They turned out excellent!

        Reply
    2. Julia says

      December 18, 2022 at 6:55 pm

      5 stars
      Loving these rum balls, have lots of flavor and were easy to make!

      Reply
    3. Biana says

      December 18, 2022 at 2:31 pm

      5 stars
      These Rum Balls look like so much fun! What a perfect holiday dessert.

      Reply
    4. dana says

      December 18, 2022 at 1:40 pm

      5 stars
      These turned out so well! Use them in a recent cookie exchange and they had rave reviews.

      Reply
    5. Tara says

      December 18, 2022 at 1:09 pm

      5 stars
      So many fun and delicious flavors all rolled into one! These look so perfect for the holiday season. I love the bright pop of color in a few of the rum balls too.

      Reply
    6. Andrea says

      December 18, 2022 at 11:49 am

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness, these sound amazing! I’ve never had rum balls with pecans in them or that have been rolled in sprinkles. I am very excited to try these this holiday season.

      Reply
    7. Flourgirl says

      December 11, 2022 at 12:18 pm

      I had no rum, I used kahlua. Can’t wait to try! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    8. Tina says

      December 4, 2022 at 3:35 pm

      Has tried using coconut instead of pecans? Have nut allergies in my house ?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 5, 2022 at 8:22 am

        I haven’t tried it this way, you could try the really finely grated unsweetened dried coconut, or just use more cookies instead.

        Reply
      • Ev says

        January 3, 2023 at 3:35 pm

        5 stars
        I substituted sunflower seeds for the pecans due to nut allergies here. They came out perfect!

        Reply
    9. Sue says

      December 4, 2022 at 4:37 am

      Can you freeze these?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 5, 2022 at 8:20 am

        Yes you can!

        Reply
    10. Sarah says

      November 13, 2022 at 2:52 pm

      When you say vanilla wafers, do you mean Nilla Wafers or vanilla wafers (the long cookies with cream in between the layers)?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 14, 2022 at 9:00 am

        Nilla wafers the plain round cookies

        Reply
    11. Jennifer says

      October 23, 2022 at 8:17 pm

      When you say 3 cups vanilla wafer, crushed, is that three cups prior to crushing them, or after crushing them? Same question for the pecans.

      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sara says

        October 24, 2022 at 8:55 am

        You measure the cookies and pecans, then crush them.

        Reply
    12. Tammy says

      September 6, 2022 at 3:29 pm

      sounds amazing butterscotch!! yum

      Reply
    13. Tiafunny says

      December 30, 2021 at 6:22 am

      Hello,
      Cannot wait to make these. Can I use white rum instead of dark rum?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 30, 2021 at 4:36 pm

        I think that would work fine but I haven’t tested it this way!

        Reply
    14. BakingChamp says

      December 29, 2021 at 7:41 am

      I would recommend mixing all the wet ingredients together first before adding the dry ingredients. I broke my spatula trying to mix the powdered sugar into just the chocolate. :O Otherwise great recipe. Also works well substituting butterscotch chips and butterscotch schnapps. Going to try vanilla vodka and white chocolate chips next.

      Reply
    15. Stephanie says

      December 21, 2021 at 8:57 pm

      If you choose not to add crushed nuts, do you increase the amount of crushed cookies?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 22, 2021 at 10:32 am

        Yes that should work fine!

        Reply
    16. Christmascookiemonster says

      December 19, 2021 at 7:36 pm

      5 stars
      These were awesome! They definitely packed a punch. I live in Ontario and couldn’t find Nilla wafers so I substituted crushed plain butter shortbread cookies and the end result was great. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    17. Lisa says

      December 15, 2021 at 5:37 pm

      4 stars
      Can i make the recipe, put the bowl in the fridge and then roll them into balls the next day?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 16, 2021 at 9:05 am

        Yes that’s fine but you may need to let it rest at room temperature for a few minutes so that the dough is soft enough to roll!

        Reply
    18. Jaclynn Moss says

      December 24, 2020 at 12:52 pm

      What wafers to make this Gluten Free?

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 24, 2020 at 3:32 pm

        You’d need to look for some type of gluten free vanilla cookie, I haven’t tested this as a gluten free recipe so unfortunately I can’t say for sure.

        Reply
      • Sally says

        October 7, 2022 at 5:52 am

        5 stars
        To Jaclynn and the request about vanilla wafers….I make them GF for my son as well. If you have a Bulk Barn near you, they sell GF vanilla wafers. If not, go into any Walmart and they have a GF section and you can use any biscuit base. I’ve even used GF, ginger snaps as well as GR graham wafer crumbs also from Bulk barn. They all work well!☺️ Just a heads up, you might want to just let them refrigerate for the instructed 20-30 minutes because they solidify into a concrete block in the fridge over night!😬 I had to leave them out over night just to make into balls but they ARE very good. Better if you let them age/mature a few days!
        Sally

        Reply
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