Rum Balls - A No Bake recipe for Easy Entertaining (2024)

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ByMarcellina Published on Last updated

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This Rum Balls recipe is a great no bake treat that is quick to make and perfect for a crowd.

This recipe is not only excellent for the holidays and gift giving but a year round, easy treat.

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Rum Balls - A No Bake recipe for Easy Entertaining (1)

I make this Rum Ballsrecipe for mostof our celebrations and definitely at Christmas. It’s a classic Australian recipe that is easy to make, can be prepared in advanced, can be frozen for longer storage and delightful to eat!

Like my Snowflake Cookies, Chocolate Covered Pecans and Crostoli, these boozy chocolate rum balls are always popular when I’m entertaining. Because of this, I usually like to make a double batch.

For complete ingredient quantities and full instructions, please scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Table of Contents

  • 1 Ingredients
  • 2 Instructions
  • 3 Tips for success
  • 4 Variations
  • 5 FAQ’S
  • 6 Serving suggestions
  • 7 More recipes you will love
  • 8 Chocolate Rum Balls
  • 9 Variations

Ingredients

Rum Balls - A No Bake recipe for Easy Entertaining (2)
  • crushed plain sweet biscuits or cookies – I use Arnott’s Nice biscuits or try shortbread cookies – don’t use biscuits/cookies sandwiched together with cream filling
  • sweetened condensed milk – avoid skim because it’s not as thick
  • unsweetened coconut – desiccated is used in the mixture but I like to roll in shredded coconut – your choice
  • instant dry milk powder – this ingredient is not in all recipes but adds extra creaminess to the final product
  • dark rum – provided the necessary kick
  • unsweetened cocoa – for deep chocolate balls

Instructions

Rum Balls - A No Bake recipe for Easy Entertaining (3)

This recipe could not be more simple.

  1. mix together all ingredients and refrigerate for one hour until firm
  2. roll heaped teaspoonfuls of mixture and coat in shredded coconut

Tips for success

This traditional holiday recipes is almost fail proof. However there are a few tips for guaranteed success.

  • crush the biscuits/cookies finely
  • mix thoroughly so that all ingredients are well combined
  • it is essential to allow the mixture to set for one hour
  • coat balls immediately otherwise the outside of the ball will dry and the coconut won’t stick

Variations

While this is a traditional rum balls recipe, there are many variations to make this recipe your own. Here’s a few ideas.

  • add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint oil or extract
  • mix in the finely grated zest of one orange
  • soak 1/2 cup of chopped raisins in the rum then add the whole lot to the recipe
  • use ginger flavoured biscuits/cookies
  • try bourbon, whiskey or even Bailey’s Irish Cream instead of rum

When it comes to coating the balls, the limit is just your imaginations. Try these ideas.

  • crushed or finely chopped nuts eg pecans, walnuts, almonds
  • chocolate or colored sprinkles
  • drinking chocolate or unsweetened cocoa powder
  • dip in melted chocolate – white, milk or dark
Rum Balls - A No Bake recipe for Easy Entertaining (4)

FAQ’S

How to store?

Store the Rum Balls in the refrigerator.

How long will these keep?

These should keep for at least two weeks but I find they will last even longer than that.

Can this recipe be frozen?

Yes, freeze in an airtight container for up to two months. Allow to defrost in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Leftovers can be refrigerated.

How do I crush the biscuits/cookies without a food processor?

Place the biscuits/cookies in a sturdy zip lock bag, expelling all the air and use the bottom of a glass bottle or mug to pound until finely crushed.

Will the alcohol evaporate?

No, this is a no bake recipe so the alcohol will remain.

Can I make this alcohol free?

Sure! Substituted apple juice for rum. Or orange juice combined with orange zest would be a great alternative.

What can I substitute for the instant milk powder?

There is no substituted but if you’d rather not use it, reduce the rum to 1/4 cup and proceed with the recipe.

Serving suggestions

Serve cold from the refrigerator at any gathering of family and friends. They’ll be gone in a flash!

For gift giving, fill cellophane bags with balls and tie with festive ribbon. Or pack into a glass or mug before wrapping the whole thing in cellophane and ribbon.

More recipes you will love

Panforte with Figs and Nuts
Chocolate Salami
Gingerbread Cookies (Gluten free) from Plant Based Folk
Snow Globe Cupcakes from Mad Creations Hub
Coconut Eggnog from Recipe Library

Made this recipe?
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Rum Balls - A No Bake recipe for Easy Entertaining (5)

Chocolate Rum Balls

This chocolate Rum Balls recipe is a no bake treat that is quick to make and perfect for a crowd. This recipe is not only excellent for the holidays and gift giving but a year round, easy treat.

5 from 59 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Setting time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings:50 rum balls

Author: Marcellina

Ingredients

  • 1⅓ cups (395grams/14oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • cups (250grams/8oz) crushed plain sweet biscuits/cookies
  • ½ cup unsweetened desiccated coconut
  • ½ cup dry milk powder
  • cup dark rum
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 cup unsweetened desiccated or shredded coconut for coating

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients well.

  • Refrigerate for one hour or until firm.

  • Take rounded teaspoons of the mixture. Form into balls and roll in shredded coconut.

  • Refrigerate until completely set. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Variations

While this is a traditional recipe, there are many variations to make this recipe your own. Here’s a few ideas.

  • add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint oil or extract
  • mix in the finely grated zest of one orange
  • soak 1/2 cup of chopped raisins in the rum then add the whole lot to the recipe
  • use ginger flavoured biscuits/cookies
  • try bourbon, whiskey or even Bailey’s Irish Cream instead of rum

When it comes to coating the balls, the limit is just your imaginations. Try these ideas.

  • crushed or finely chopped nuts eg pecans, walnuts, almonds
  • chocolate or colored sprinkles
  • drinking chocolate or unsweetened cocoa powder
  • dip in melted chocolate – white, milk or dark

FAQ’s

How to store?

Store the Rum Balls in the refrigerator.

How long will these keep?

These should keep for at least two weeks but I find they will last even longer than that.

Can this recipe be frozen?

Yes, freeze in an airtight container for up to two months. Allow to defrost in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Leftovers can be refrigerated.

How do I crush the biscuits/cookies without a food processor?

Place the biscuits/cookies in a sturdy zip lock bag, expelling all the air and use the bottom of a glass bottle or mug to pound until finely crushed.

Will the alcohol evaporate?

No, this is a no bake recipe so the alcohol will remain.

Can I make this alcohol free?

Sure! Substituted apple juice for rum. Or orange juice combined with orange zest would be a great alternative.

What can I substitute for the instant milk powder?

There is no substituted but if you’d rather not use it, reduce the rum to 1/4 cup and proceed with the recipe.

Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating and leave a comment below!

Nutritional Estimate Per Serving

Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 45mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 54IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For accurate results, it is recommended that the nutritional information be calculated based on the ingredients and brands you use.

Rum Balls - A No Bake recipe for Easy Entertaining (2024)

FAQs

How to stop rum balls from going flat? ›

Tips and tricks for Rum Balls
  1. If you're working in a warm kitchen, pop the bowl with the rum ball mix in the fridge before rolling them out. ...
  2. Wet your hands before handling the mix. ...
  3. Store your rum balls in an airtight container in the fridge to prevent the rum from evaporating and to ensure they keep their shape.

Can you get tipsy from rum balls? ›

Can rum balls make you drunk? This is a no bake recipe, which means any alcohol we use in the process won't be cooked away or made less effective. However, we're not using that much of it, so getting drunk isn't something to worry about! After all, there's only ¼ cup of rum divided among 24 individual bites.

What is a substitute for Nilla wafers in rum balls? ›

While vanilla wafers are my favorite for their subtle sweetness and vanilla notes, graham crackers, butter cookies, digestive biscuits, or shortbread cookies are all excellent substitutes. For a gluten-free version, opt for gluten-free cookies.

How to thicken rum balls? ›

Add more cocoa powder or ground almonds if the mixture needs thickening. Roll and coat: Bakery rum balls tend to be monstrously huge; I prefer to make them bite-sized at home.

How do you make rum go down easier? ›

Some people like to add a few drops of water to their rum and there is nothing wrong with that – particularly for some of the higher ABV and cask strength rums out there, which can be a little fiery (as a rule anything about 45% ABV will cope well with a little water).

What if my rum balls are too dry? ›

If the mixture seems too dry, add an additional small amount of melted butter or more rum. Form small balls about the size of a walnut.

Can you use graham crackers instead of vanilla wafers? ›

I haven't had banana pudding in years, and as I recall, it was always with vanilla wafers. The graham crackers worked equally well as a replacement. I'd never used Dream Whip before, but it certainly thickened the pudding nicely.

What can I use in place of vanilla wafers in a recipe? ›

  1. If you're using them as a cookie any small sugar or butter cookie will suffice.
  2. OR - Replace vanilla (Nilla) wafers with shortbread cookies.
  3. OR - For making a pie or dessert crust you can substitute graham cracker crumbs.
  4. OR - Chocolate wafers, crushed make a good pie crust.
Mar 3, 2022

Why do Nilla Wafers taste different now? ›

Originally a round, thin, light wafer cookie made with flour, sugar, shortening, eggs and real vanilla, Nilla wafers have been primarily flavored with synthetic vanillin since at least 1994, a change which prompted criticism.

What is another name for rum balls? ›

Rum balls are a popular Christmas treat in England, Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the United States, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Greece and the Czech Republic. In Denmark they are enjoyed year round and known as either romkugle, trøffel or sputnik, depending on the specific region.

Does alcohol evaporate from rum balls? ›

Does the alcohol evaporate in rum balls? No. They are not baked, so all the alcohol that goes into the mixture of this rum balls recipe will stay there! Get all professional tips you need whether you want to bake thick, thin, chewy or crunchy cookies!

What is the origin of rum balls? ›

Rum balls were originally created as a way for Danish bakers to make use of cakes and pastries leftover at the end of the day. They would mix them up with cocoa and rum, and roll the dough into balls, coating with coconut or chocolate sprinkles to sell for a low price the next day.

Does rum go flat? ›

If kept out of direct sunlight and in a cool setting, unopened rum can be stored almost indefinitely. It is considered a stable liquor with a high ABV to preserve its integrity while in storage. Once opened, a bottle of rum should be used within 6 months to 2 years, depending on the additional flavors in the liquor.

Should rum have stuff floating in it? ›

Particles in the rum indicate either improperly maintained barrels, or cork dissolved by the rum due to either bad materials used to produce the cork, or bad storage (rum should never be stored on the side like wine, the distillate should not touch the cork).

Does the alcohol evaporate from rum balls? ›

Does the alcohol evaporate in rum balls? No. They are not baked, so all the alcohol that goes into the mixture of this rum balls recipe will stay there!

Do rum balls contain rum? ›

Rum balls are a truffle-like confectionery cake of cookie butter flavoured with chocolate and rum. They are roughly the size of a golf ball and often coated in chocolate sprinkles, desiccated coconut, or cocoa. As their name implies, these treats contain rum.

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