A lot of folks enjoy rum balls as a holiday tradition, but these quick and easy cookie balls should definitely be made more than once a year! Like all good no bake cookies recipe, these are super simple to make, comes together in mere minutes, and is oh-my-goodness delish! These babies pack a flavor wallop into each bite-sized morsel.
These truffle-like treats have the advantage over cookies since they improve with age and can be made well in advance. This makes them a perfect option for busy schedules!
Pull out the food processor and let’s make some of this cute treat!
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What I Love About This Recipe
This rum balls recipe is fantastic! Here are my favorite things about it!
- It doesn’t get any easier!
- Layers and layers of flavor
- Assembles in minutes
- Stores well
How To Make Rum Balls Recipe
To make this rum balls recipe, blitz the vanilla wafers with a food processor until they are a fine crumb. Set aside and do the same thing with the pecans.
Mix the pecan and vanilla wafer crumbs in a bowl and add the rum, bourbon, and honey. Mix until well combined. Spoon out and shape into balls.
Roll in sugar, nuts, or wafer crumbs.
Chocolate Balls Recipe Notes
Rum balls, like chocolate balls and other cookie balls, are incredibly easy to make! Here are a few extra tips.
Roast the nuts – to develop even more flavor in the pecans, roast the nuts in a 350-degree oven for about 15 minutes, or until they start to smell fragrant. Let them cool before you put them in the food processor.
The outside coating – You can get creative with this one! I love cocoa powder, powdered sugar, or even cinnamon on the outside of the balls. You can also use crushed nuts or coconut.
Ingredient Notes
Alcohol – You don’t need to break the bank and buy overly expensive rum and bourbon. Buy the best quality you’re comfortable with. A great way to get a high-quality liquor without spending a ton is to buy the small sample bottles. They’re often about 4 ounces, which is just about right for this recipe!
Also remember if you buy a larger bottle, it won’t spoil. Just seal it uptight, and it can stay on the shelf for years!
No Nuts – This recipe can be adapted to rum balls no nuts included. You will have to add something in their place to round out the filling, however. Any biscuit, cookie, or cake that compliments the vanilla wafers would work.
Try to choose something that doesn’t have an incredibly strong flavor, so it doesn’t compete with the other ingredients.
Storing Tips
This recipe stores best in a tightly sealed container in a cool place. Storing in the fridge is best!
Can You Freeze Them?
This rum balls recipe freezes beautifully. Simply put them in a freezer container and pop them in the freezer. It can last up to 6 months in the freezer.
Make Ahead Tips
The flavor develops as they age, so feel free to make these a week or two ahead of time for maximum yumminess!
How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge?
According to food handling guidelines, this rum balls recipe should hold for about a month in the fridge and up to 6 months in the freezer.
Recipe Variations
I think this rum balls recipe is pretty darn yummy the way it is, but for those adventurous spirits who want to experiment, here are a few ideas!
Can I Add Peanut Butter?
Peanut butter might overpower the harmony of flavors in the recipe. I think peanut butter buckeyes or simple peanut butter balls would be a better choice for a peanut buttery treat.
If you don’t mind to crank up the oven, try chocolate peanut butter cookies for your peanut butter craving.
Can I Use Oreo?
Oreo balls are one of my all-time favorite cookie balls. If you wanted to try to make an alcoholic version by mixing the recipes, you could really be onto something!
I love creating treats using Oreos, like Oreo turkeys and cookies and cream cookies. They add convenience and fun to so many recipes.
Can I Add Graham Crackers?
Graham Crackers would be a great alternative to vanilla wafers. When I think of graham crackers, I think of campfires, chocolate, and marshmallows. Of course, these aren’t always available, so instead, I make smores cookies or oven smores.
I also like golden graham smores that use cereal for the graham cracker taste. They’re all ooey-gooey, and delish!
Would These Make For Great Christmas Treats?
This recipe is a Christmas tradition in many households! They round out any holiday cookie platter. Consider pairing them with chocolate spritz cookies or chocolate Christmas cookies.
You can round out the ensemble with my super fun and festive reindeer Rice Krispies treats!
Can I Add Chocolate Too?
Chocolate definitely compliments the rum and bourbon undertones. I think a dark cocoa coating on the outside of the balls is a great way to incorporate chocolate without overpowering the other flavors. Bourbon balls are actually dipped in chocolate and are super yummy too.
If you want chocolate with a crunch, try chocolate shortbread cookies. For those who love soft, tender cookies, try chocolate pudding cookies for the ultimate soft batch cookies!
More No Bake Cookies Recipes
No-bake cookies are so quick and convenient to whip up! Here are some of my other favorites.
Rum Balls
Ingredients
- 1 (12-ounce) package, plus more for rolling vanilla wafers (and or sugar wafers)
- 1 (16-ounce) package pecan pieces
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup Bourbon
- 1/3 cup dark rum
Instructions
- Add 12 ounces of vanilla wafers to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the cookies are fine crumbs. Transfer crumbs to a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- Add the pecan pieces to the same food processor bowl. Pulse until the pecans are finely chopped. Mix the chopped pecans into the cookie crumbs.
- Add the honey, bourbon, and rum to the mixing bowl and mix until evenly combined.
- Shape into 1 inch balls, then roll the balls in either sugar and or additional vanilla wafer crumbs.
Best way to store them?
Storing in the fridge, in an airtight container, is best!
I’m confused on this recipe. It says to grind the vanilla wafers then the pecans then it says mix them together then it says add the honey bourbon and rum in there and mix everything together then it says to roll it in the vanilla wafers but how? Are u making a separate bowl?
Hi Debbie. That’s an editing error. Sorry about that. I’ve updated the recipe. If you roll the rum balls in wafers they would be additional to the 12 ounces. <3 Happy Holidays!
These rum balls are incredibly easy delicious! Yum ??
Thanks, Kyle! Glad you like them 😀
Can i use almonds or cashews?
Hi Heth. I think either one of those would make a delicious variation! 🙂
Oops! I’m not seeing anything on Pinterest at all. Maybe it’s just me.