Rum Balls Recipe

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 20

Servings: balls

Calories: 164kcal

Author: Becky Hardin

These traditional rum balls are filled with coconut and chocolate flavors, and of course, rum! This boozy, bite-sized dessert is decadent, irresistible, and perfect for holiday celebrations.

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Equipment

Ingredients

11 ounces vanilla wafer cookies 312 grams (1 box)
¾ cup desiccated unsweetened coconut 85 grams, divided
2 cups pecans 250 grams
½ cup powdered sugar 57 grams
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 21 grams
¼ cup coconut rum 57 grams
2 tablespoons maple syrup 39 grams

Instructions

Pulse the cookies in a food processor until the mixture reaches the consistency of coarse crumbs. Reserve ½ cup of cookie crumbs and set aside, leaving the rest in the food processor.
11 ounces vanilla wafer cookies
Add ¼ cup coconut and the pecans to the food processor and continue holding until the entire mixture is crushed to crumbs.
¾ cup desiccated unsweetened coconut, 2 cups pecans
Add in sugar, cocoa powder, rum, and maple syrup and pulse until the mixture comes together into a dough.
½ cup powdered sugar, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ¼ cup coconut rum, 2 tablespoons maple syrup
If the mixture seems dry, add in a bit of water 1 tablespoon at a time. If the mixture seems too wet and/or sticky, add in additional cookie crumbs 1 tablespoon at a time.
Use a cookie scoop to form the dough into balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Roll the balls in the extra coconut and cookie crumbs.

Video

Notes

You can use graham crackers, shortbread cookies, digestive biscuits, or chocolate wafers instead of vanilla wafers.
I like to use unsweetened desiccated coconut to control the level of sweetness in these rum balls. If you want them sweeter, you can use sweetened coconut.
You can use a different nut, such as walnuts, almonds, or pistachios in place of the pecans for a different flavor.
You can use plain rum instead of coconut for a less strong coconut flavor, or try brandy or cognac.
You can use honey or corn syrup instead of maple syrup.
If you don't have a food processor, you can place the cookies in a sealed Ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin. You will also need to chop up the pecans.
Keep the dough chilled to make it easier to roll into balls.
Spray your hands with nonstick spray before rolling to keep them from sticking to your hands.

Storage: Store rum balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition