No-Bake Rum Balls Recipes: A Must-Have for Every Christmas Table

Rum balls, delectable bite-sized treats, are a cherished addition to holiday gatherings.

These popular Christmas cookies are adored by individuals with varying preferences for sweetness. Since they contain alcohol, they are best enjoyed during the festive season.

With a selection of diverse recipes, we aim to cater to different tastes and ensure a delightful experience for all.

Classic No-Bake Rum Balls

The advantage of rum balls is that they do not need to be baked; their preparation is simple.

Plus, the whole kitchen will smell delightful during the process.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cup of butter cookies or Nilla Wafers
• 1 1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk
• ¼ cup cocoa
• 2 cups of coconut
• rum

METHOD

• Crush the cookies.
• Add the condensed milk, cocoa, 1 cup of coconut, and rum to taste.
• Mix and shape into balls. Then, wrap the balls in coconut.

You can see how to make these balls in the following video recipe:

CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATE RUM BALL RECIPE

Rum balls made from leftover sponge cake

If you have a sponge cake that’s not suitable for serving as a whole cake due to its shape, don’t worry! Instead of throwing it away, you can repurpose it to make cake pops.

If that’s not your thing, you can also use it to make rum balls. Rum balls are quick and easy to make, especially when you have leftover biscuits or other desserts at home that no one is eating.

Check out the recipe below for the perfect way to make delicious rum balls using leftover desserts!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 – 2 and ½ cups ground sponge cake
• 1 cup pecans or walnuts
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 4 spoons of cocoa
• ¼ cup rum
• 3 spoons of honey
• 2 tablespoons of water

METHOD

• Mix the sponge cake with ground nuts, sugar, and cocoa.
• Add rum, water, honey, and mix.
• If the dough is thin, add more sponge cake. If the dough is too stiff, add more rum, honey, or water.
• Work the dough thoroughly, then form the balls, and coat them in cocoa or nuts.

Chocolate Rum and Raisin Balls

Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like these simple and festive rum balls, made with chocolate, raisins, and of course, rum.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup of dark chocolate
• 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons of corn syrup
• ½ cup dark rum
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 2 cups of Nilla Vanilla Wafers
• 1 cup of ground nuts of your choice
• 1/4 cup of cocoa
• 1/2 cup of raisins

METHOD

• Chop the raisins, cover them with rum, and let them stand.
• Melt the chocolate in a water bath and set aside from the heat source.
• Add ½ cup of sugar, rum with raisins, and syrup, and mix thoroughly.
• Add ground biscuits and nuts, and mix.
• Wrap the dough in cling film and put it in the fridge for 1 hour.
• Then, form balls and cover them in sugar or cocoa.

Coconut Rum Balls

Coconut rum balls are a simple and delicious bite-sized treat that’s perfect for the holidays. They require only a few ingredients to make!

It’s important to note that you can taste the alcohol in this recipe. While it’s possible to feel a bit tipsy or even get drunk from eating a large amount of rum balls, it’s unlikely unless you consume a lot of them.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cup of Nilla Vanilla Wafers
• 1 cup pecans or walnuts
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ cup coconut
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa
• 5 tablespoons of rum
• 2 spoons of honey
• ½ teaspoon of salt

For wrapping:

• coconut

METHOD

• Grind cookies and nuts.
• Sieve the sugar, and add salt, cocoa, coconut, rum, and honey.
• Knead everything thoroughly and put it in the fridge for at least half an hour.
• Then, form balls and wrap them in coconut.

Healthy Chocolate Rum Balls

These yummy chocolate rum balls are super easy to make. They’re no-bake, totally paleo, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free (if you’re okay with a little bit of alcohol in your diet here and there, of course).

They’re sweetened with dates and maple syrup, so they’re a perfect treat for anyone trying to avoid refined sugar and all-purpose flour.

INGREDIENTS

Dry ingredients:

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 cup pitted dates
• 2 tbsp cacao powder
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 4 tbsp Captain Morgan Dark Rum
• Optional: 1/2 cup whey protein powder vanilla flavored

METHOD

• Melt the coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat.
• Meanwhile, blend all of the dry ingredients into a fine flour using a food processor.
• Set the coconut oil aside for a couple minutes and let it cool down.
• Transfer the dry ingredients to a large bowl then add the melted coconut oil, maple syrup and dark rum. Mix well.
• Using your hands, roll the preparation into 1-inch balls.
• Gently roll the balls into cocoa powder.

Easy Rum Balls

The flavor of these rum balls is exceptional, crafted with grated walnuts and juicy raisins.

The basic recipe makes about 35 rum balls.

Place the finished balls in an airtight container lined with baking paper. Cover the balls with another layer of baking paper on top. Close the container with the lid and store it in a cool, dry place. The refrigerator is a good option!

These rum balls will last about a week from the time you prepare them. The key is to store them in a cool, dry place and in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.

For a festive presentation, place the rum balls in small paper cups. They will look amazing on the table!

INGREDIENTS

• 3 ½ ounces vanilla wafers e.g. Nilla wafers or any plain shortbread biscuits
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• ⅔ cup powdered sugar
• ⅓ cup raisins
• 3 Tablespoons ground walnuts
• 2 Tablespoons dark cocoa powder
• 3 Tablespoons spiced rum e. g. Kirkland from Costco or Austrian Stroh 40
• ½ cup shredded coconut dried, unswetened

METHOD

• First, grind or crush 3 1/2 ounces vanilla wafers.
• Then, coarsely chop 1/3 cup raisins with a chef’s knife.
• Place the crushed wafers, 3 Tablespoons ground walnuts, 2/3 cup powdered sugar, 2 Tablespoons dark cocoa powder, and chopped raisins in a bowl.
• Pour in 3 Tablespoons spiced rum and add 1 stick unsalted butter, sliced.
• Mix to form a soft dough, starting with a fork and then using your hands. Alternatively, you can use a food processor if you have one.
• Pour 1/2 cup shredded coconut onto baking paper or a wide cutting board.
• Pinch off equal-sized pieces of the dough and shape them into balls between your palms, making each ball about 1 inch in diameter.
• Roll each ball in the shredded coconut, ensuring all sides are evenly coated.

When making rum balls, there are a few potential challenges to be aware of.

The dough might end up being too sticky, making it difficult to work with, or it could be too crumbly, which could affect the texture of the final product.

In the latter case, it’s important to introduce more moisture into the dough by adding ingredients such as honey, syrup, molasses, butter, or salt.

On the other hand, if the dough is too sticky, incorporating dry ingredients like biscuits, cookies, coconut, cocoa, or nuts can help balance out the consistency.

Another important consideration is the amount of rum used in the recipe. It’s crucial not to overdo it, as an excessive amount of rum can overpower the flavor of the rum balls. It’s important to strike the right balance, ensuring that the rum complements the other ingredients without dominating the taste.

For those who prefer non-alcoholic options, it’s possible to make rum balls suitable for all ages by omitting the rum and using rum essence as a substitute. This ensures that everyone can enjoy these delicious treats, regardless of their age or dietary preferences.

Let us know what Rum Balls recipe you liked most!