Rum Balls - A No Bake recipe for Easy Entertaining (2024)

This Rum Balls recipe is a great no bake treat that is quick to make and perfect for a crowd.

This recipe is not only excellent for the holidays and gift giving but a year round, easy treat.

Pin now to save for later

I make this Rum Ballsrecipe for mostof our celebrations and definitely at Christmas. It’s a classic Australian recipe that is easy to make, can be prepared in advanced, can be frozen for longer storage and delightful to eat!

Like my Snowflake Cookies, Chocolate Covered Pecans and Crostoli, these boozy chocolate rum balls are always popular when I’m entertaining. Because of this, I usually like to make a double batch.

For complete ingredient quantities and full instructions, please scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Ingredients

• crushed plain sweet biscuits or cookies – I use Arnott’s Nice biscuits or try shortbread cookies – don’t use biscuits/cookies sandwiched together with cream filling
• sweetened condensed milk – avoid skim because it’s not as thick
• unsweetened coconut – desiccated is used in the mixture but I like to roll in shredded coconut – your choice
• instant dry milk powder – this ingredient is not in all recipes but adds extra creaminess to the final product
• dark rum – provided the necessary kick
• unsweetened cocoa – for deep chocolate balls

Instructions

This recipe could not be more simple.

1. mix together all ingredients and refrigerate for one hour until firm
2. roll heaped teaspoonfuls of mixture and coat in shredded coconut

Tips for success

This traditional holiday recipes is almost fail proof. However there are a few tips for guaranteed success.

• crush the biscuits/cookies finely
• mix thoroughly so that all ingredients are well combined
• it is essential to allow the mixture to set for one hour
• coat balls immediately otherwise the outside of the ball will dry and the coconut won’t stick

Variations

While this is a traditional rum balls recipe, there are many variations to make this recipe your own. Here’s a few ideas.

• add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint oil or extract
• mix in the finely grated zest of one orange
• soak 1/2 cup of chopped raisins in the rum then add the whole lot to the recipe
• use ginger flavoured biscuits/cookies
• try bourbon, whiskey or even Bailey’s Irish Cream instead of rum

When it comes to coating the balls, the limit is just your imaginations. Try these ideas.

• crushed or finely chopped nuts eg pecans, walnuts, almonds
• chocolate or colored sprinkles
• drinking chocolate or unsweetened cocoa powder
• dip in melted chocolate – white, milk or dark

FAQ’S

Serving suggestions

Serve cold from the refrigerator at any gathering of family and friends. They’ll be gone in a flash!

For gift giving, fill cellophane bags with balls and tie with festive ribbon. Or pack into a glass or mug before wrapping the whole thing in cellophane and ribbon.

More recipes you will love

Panforte with Figs and Nuts
Chocolate Salami
Gingerbread Cookies (Gluten free) from Plant Based Folk
Snow Globe Cupcakes from Mad Creations Hub
Coconut Eggnog from Recipe Library

Made this recipe?
Let me know if you liked it by leaving a★★★★★ star rating and a review below. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter – it’s free!