Rum Balls

We love getting the kids involved in cookie-making during the holidays, but if you’re seeking a treat specifically for a grown-up crowd, look no further than our rum balls recipe. The rich and indulgent treats are the perfect size–just two bites and you’ll be completely satisfied. Not only that, but they’re also easy to make. The base is an easy homemade brownie recipe, which is then combined with dark rum to make a rollable dough. That’s all the baking you’ll do for this recipe. From there, they are rolled into balls and coated in sanding sugar. Then they're ready to pop in your mouth (or into a cookie gift box).

What Are Rum Balls?

So what are rum balls, exactly? Brownies? Truffles? Something in between? We like to think of rum balls as a festive take on the cult favorite cake pops. They are a bite-size confection and are sometimes made with cookie crumbs and nuts, making them a no-bake treat. Our recipe is made with homemade brownies (okay, so there’s a little bit of baking involved) instead of store-bought cookies, making it a bit more elevated than the rest. The brownie recipe is simple and yields a chewy, fudgy layer of brownies. 

Of course, the dough is flavored with plenty of rum before they’re rolled. If anything, the rum flavor is lifted when paired with the chocolate, making the overall flavor even more rich and full-bodied. 

Rum balls are a perfect addition to your holiday cookie roster. They might not be the most traditional (and they may not even be a cookie!) but they are unique and delicious nonetheless.

3 Tips for Making Rum Balls

Rum balls are a simple treat and they're easy to make. With these three tips, they’ll be even easier. 

1. Don’t over-bake the brownies: It’s important to pull the brownies from the oven when you insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out with some crumbs still attached. That moisture level is what’s going to hold the rum balls together. 
2. Use a small ice cream scoop: If you have a one-inch wide ice cream scoop, it’s a great tool to use. Instead of rolling and shaping individual balls by hand, you can simply scoop the dough into perfect balls in one motion–you don’t even have to get your hands dirty. Some might need further shaping to make an even ball, but that can be done once you’ve rolled them in sugar. 
3. Use coarse sanding sugar for coating: To offset the smooth brownie texture of the balls, we like to coat them in a thick layer of sanding sugar. You can use regular granulated sugar if that’s all you have, but sanding sugar gives the rum balls a crackly outer texture and makes them sparkle.

Substitutes for Rum

This recipe uses dark rum, which is distilled and aged in barrels, giving it a uniquely sweet and slightly smoky flavor reminiscent of dark caramel sauce. There are a few other liqueurs that have an overall similar flavor. 

• Amaretto: The almond flavor of the liqueur Amaretto iis very strong, but it does have a nice balance of sweet and bitter like dark rum. If you’re not generally a fan of distinct almond flavors, skip this one. 
• Coffee liqueur: It's sweet and syrupy like dark rum and coffee liqueur is strongly flavored like amaretto. It's a great option for coffee lovers, and it will complement the chocolate flavor of the brownies. 
• Orange liqueur: You may know orange liqueurs like Cointreau and Grand Marnier from margarita recipes. They have a bittersweet flavor and citrusy-sweet aroma that works well in this recipe in place of dark rum. 

For a non-alcoholic option, try one of the following. 

• Apple cider: A fermented non-alcoholic liquid, apple cider a fruity flavor similar to rum. You can use plain cider or a spiced option. 
• Non-alcoholic rum substitute: With more and more consumers looking for low-or-no-ABV options, there are a lot of brands who have great rum substitutions. Try Ritual Zero Proof or Ghia for a distinct rum flavor without the alcohol.

Make Ahead

Rum balls can be made a day ahead. You can also make the brownies up to three days before you finish and form the rum balls. Wrap the brownie slab tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature.