Rum Balls

These boozy rum balls are packed with sweet, festive flavor. 

Rum Balls Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this easy rum ball recipe: 

• Vanilla wafers: These easy rum balls start with a package of crushed vanilla wafers. 
• Nuts: Use your favorite chopped nuts (pecans and walnuts work well). 
• Confectioners’ sugar: Make sure you use confectioners’ sugar for this melt-in-your-mouth recipe.
• Cocoa: Of course, you’ll need cocoa for these chocolatey rum balls. 
• Light rum: Opt for light, not dark, rum for this recipe. 
• Corn syrup: You’ll need three tablespoons of light corn syrup. 

How to Make Rum Balls

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade rum balls: 

1. Make the dough. 
2. Roll the dough into balls. 
3. Coat the balls in confectioners’ sugar.
4. Store the rum balls in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days to develop the flavor. 
5. Roll the balls in confectioners’ sugar again before serving. 

Do Rum Balls Need to Be Refrigerated? 

While the rum balls don’t technically need to be stored in the refrigerator, they’ll last much longer (up to two weeks) and will taste much better if you do. 

Can You Freeze Rum Balls? 

Yes! But it’s best to freeze the balls before you coat them in confectioners’ sugar. Thaw the rum balls in the fridge overnight, then coat in sugar just before serving. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“Came out great,” says jimbouy. “Stored in a metal cookie tin with wax paper between layers.”

“For added kick, I toss the balls in a bowl of rum before any kind of coating goes on,” according to bcgirl. “Delicious and very very popular.”

“These are fabulous,” raves mauigirl. “We make several batches and use different flavored rum for each batch. We also mix up the outside coatings: powdered sugar, red or green sugar crystals, crushed nuts or even cocoa powder. Have fun making them and enjoy!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams