Chocolate Rum Balls Photo

I have been so busy this month! I had all these plans for recipes all month long and the past couple weeks have been way too busy with other things going on in my life to be able to share all what I wanted to make and blog about. Looks like I might be saving some for next year. Unless I pretend Christmas isn't for another two months and keep on making and posting holiday recipes until March. Maybe April.

Chocolate Rum Balls Picture

I have one of my grandma's recipe boxes and I was looking through it the other day to see if she had written down her chocolate rum ball recipe that she always made during the holidays. I found something on a very tattered piece of paper that had ingredients on it, and some incredibly vague instructions with the edge where the ingredients amount were supposed to be was torn off that resembled the chocolate rum ball recipe. So I decided to go with what I could decipher from the ingredients listed and come up with my own amounts.

Chocolate Rum Balls Ingredients Photo

Although I planned on using a LOT less rum. I am pretty sure the ones my grandma made were flammable. She was not light handed when it came to booze in things.

From what I remember, my grandma's chocolate rum balls were only rolled in sugar, so I decided to go a little crazy and have a variety of things to dip them in. One trick I like to use when rolling something in cocoa powder is to mix in a little powdered sugar with it. It takes that bitter edge off the cocoa powder, unless you like the more bitter chocolate taste then leave the cocoa powder as is.

Chocolate Rum Balls Process Photo

These are really easy to make, especially when it comes down to needing a dessert somewhat last minute you don't have to fuss with baking, rolling out cookie dough, or making anything that take several steps to make. Easy and fancy looking. Works for me!

Chocolate Rum Balls Image

Another note: you can vary the amount of rum in these without affecting the texture too much. 2-3 tablespoons is a nice subtle rum flavor, I like using spiced rum for that little extra kick, and going up to 6 tablespoons of rum will really lend for a nice punch of rum flavor.

Chocolate Rum Balls Pic

The way my grandma's tasted, I am pretty sure she used an entire fifth of rum. Did she know how to party or what?

Speaking of parties, we're pretty ready for one! Round out your homemade candy holiday treats with Sharon's gluten free truffles and Aimee's candy cane fudge.

Chocolate Rum Balls Recipe

Ingredients

For the Rum Balls:
  • 7 ounces chocolate wafer cookies
  • 4 ounces semisweet chocolate
  • 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, or dark chocolate
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2-4 tablespoons spiced rum
For Topping:
  • crushed pecans
  • powdered sugar
  • granulated sugar
  • cocoa powder
  • coconut flakes

Directions

  1. Crumble the wafer cookies in a food processor until they're the consistency of flour. 
  2. In a double boiler or a bowl set over a pan of simmering water melt the chocolate, stirring frequently until smooth, add in the butter and stir until melted and well combined with the chocolate. 
  3. Remove from the heat and add in the chocolate wafer crumbs and the rum ( more or less rum depending on how boozy you want them) and stir the mixture until a dough forms. 
  4. Let cool at room temperature for one hour.
  5. Roll into 1” balls then roll in desired topping. Repeat. Serve immediately or chill until ready to use. Set out for 30 min at room temperature before serving.
 

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