Chocolate Rum Balls
Chocolate Rum Balls are a rich, chewy, no-bake sweet treat infused with decadent chocolate and a hint of warm rum. Perfect for holidays, parties, or simply indulging, these bite-sized delights combine easy preparation with customizable options and a long shelf life, making them a crowd-pleasing and convenient dessert.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: About 20-24 rum balls 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free cookies are used)
Base Ingredients
- 2 cups crushed cookies or cake crumbs (gluten-free if needed)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons dark rum (or substitute with vanilla extract or coffee for alcohol-free)
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional; use seeds like pumpkin or sunflower for nut-free option)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon or chili powder (for spiced variation)
Coating Options
- Cocoa powder
- Powdered sugar
- Sprinkles
- Shredded coconut
- Crushed candy canes
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the crushed cookies or cake crumbs with the cocoa powder thoroughly. This mixture forms the rich and structured chocolate base for the rum balls.
- Add Liquid Ingredients: Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and dark rum. Stir well until all crumbs are coated evenly and the mixture is moist but manageable, not sticky.
- Mix in Extras: Fold in any desired optional ingredients such as chopped nuts or spices to personalize the flavor and texture.
- Shape the Rum Balls: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the mixture into round balls approximately one inch in diameter, ensuring uniform size for even chilling.
- Coat and Chill: Roll each ball in your chosen coating—cocoa powder, powdered sugar, sprinkles, shredded coconut, or crushed candy canes. Place the coated balls on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least one hour to firm up before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh cookie crumbs and high-quality cocoa powder for best flavor.
- Add rum gradually to avoid overly wet texture that is difficult to shape.
- Chill rum balls thoroughly to allow flavors to meld and texture to firm.
- Experiment with different coatings to keep the treats exciting for repeat batches.
- Keep your hands cool and wash them occasionally during shaping to prevent sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 rum ball
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: chocolate rum balls, no bake dessert, holiday treats, bite-sized chocolate, rum flavored sweets, gluten free dessert, easy chocolate recipe