This classic rum balls recipe can be made in no time and is perfect for the holidays.

This is the best rum balls recipe you will find out there. It comes from Romania and  it is a classic, old recipe, a recipe most Europeans would make. 

Rum balls are truffle-like confectionery cookie butter flavored with cacao, chocolate and rum. They should be about the size of golf ball and they are not cooked.

The rum balls are very popular in Europe during Christmas season, but in some countries, these wonderful treats are available all year round.

 There are many different ways to make rum balls, as recipes vary from region to region and family to family. All rum balls must include chocolate and rum, but the rest of the ingredients could be different.

Rum is the ingredient that makes them special and perfect for the holidays.

What makes this recipe different is the use of butter as a binding ingredient, and no corn syrup at all, which in my humble opinion makes the rum balls a little bit healthier. 

Rum balls are very versatile, you can make them with graham crackers, but you can also use crushed vanilla wafers, shortbread cookies, digestive biscuits, chocolate wafers or even leftover cake. 

When it comes to cocoa powder, we use either unsweetened natural or Dutch-processed. We like to add chopped dried fruits to the mixture, all kind of nuts, especially walnuts( roasted are better), and can be covered in granulated sugar, coconut flakes, chocolate, sprinkles or anything else we have available around.

The Eastern European custom is to roll these rum balls in granulated sugar and sometimes in coconut flakes. However, you can adapt the recipe and use ingredients that work for you or are available.

We sometimes add in the middle of the rum ball a little pitted cherry, usually preserved in syrup, or an almond.

Roasted nuts have more flavor than raw ones, therefore the rum balls will taste better. Also these little pieces of heaven are better the next day, when all the flavors from all the ingredients have time to get friendly with each other.

If you make them for a party, it is a good idea to make them with some time in advance. They keep well in the refrigerator for few weeks, in an airtight container.

The rum balls are great for the holidays. They make a great gift for family and friends, but they are also an awesome, super easy to make dessert for the days when we crave something sweet and decadent. 

Using good quality ingredients obviously will make them taste better. They are awesome little treats for the entire family, if you add the rum flavor. If you go with the real rum, then don’t serve them to children. 

Enjoy!

Suggestions for other recipes made with rum:

RUM RAISINS COOKIES RECIPE

This Rum Raisins Cookies Recipe comes from Romania. The cookies are flavored with rum, are very easy to make and taste delicious. Serve them next to a cup of your favorite tea, or coffee and enjoy an old recipe that is very traditional in Romania.

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH RUM CHOCOLATE GANACHE

Delicious chocolate cupcakes with rum chocolate ganache– a treat for the chocolate lovers! Make them for parties or potlucks with your favorite decorations.

Yield: 20 rum balls

Best Classic Rum Balls Recipe

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This recipe of rum balls recipe comes from Romania. Rum balls can be made with graham crackers, crushed vanilla wafers, or even leftover cake and make a great gift around the holidays.

Prep Time 45 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 11 oz/ 300 g graham crackers crumbs(crushed vanilla wafers, shortbread cookies, digestive biscuits, chocolate wafers or leftover cake)
• 1 cup/8 oz/ 225 g unsalted butter
• 1 3/4 cups/7 oz/ 200 g powder sugar
• 1 cup/3.5 oz/ 100 g unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup/3.5 fl.oz/ 100 ml heavy cream
• 3 Tablespoons/ 50 ml rum or 1 Tablespoon/10 ml rum flavor
• 1 tsp vanilla flavor
• 2/3 cups/3.5 oz/ 100 g roasted chopped walnuts
• granulated sugar to toss the rum balls OR coconut flakes
• Optional: cherries in syrup

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F/180C.

Place the walnuts on a baking tray and roast them for about 8 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly brown.

Let nuts cool, then chopped them with a knife, or toss them in a food processor until finely chopped.

Place them in a big bowl.

Process the graham crackers in a food processor until finely ground.

Add them to the nuts.

In a small pot, place butter, heavy cream, sugar and cocoa and bring to a boil.

Let the mixture cool for few minutes, then add the rum or the rum flavor. Also add the vanilla flavor.

Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix everything very well.

If the mixture is soft, place it in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

Using your hands, form 1 inch balls and toss them in granulated sugar, coconut flakes, chocolate sprinkles etc.

Place the rum balls in the refrigerator overnight in an airtight container.

Optional: stick a pitted cherry from syrup in the middle of the ball, or an almond, then toss in sugar.

Serve cold.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

20

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 285 Total Fat: 15g Saturated Fat: 9g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 5g Cholesterol: 30mg Sodium: 105mg Carbohydrates: 33g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 19g Protein: 3g