Rum Balls Recipe {Quick, No-Bake} - Marcellina In Cucina

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.

pile of rum balls on wooden board. — Rum Balls perfect for the holidays

I make this Rum Balls recipe for most of 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 bottom of the page.

Table of Contents

1 Ingredients
2 Instructions
3 Tips for success
4 Variations
5 FAQ'S
6 Serving suggestions
7 More recipes you will love
8 Recipe
9 Chocolate Rum Balls
10 Variations

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

two images showing how to make rum balls — So easy to make

This recipe could not be more simple.

mix together all ingredients and refrigerate for one hour until firm
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 ½ teaspoon of peppermint oil or extract
mix in the finely grated zest of one orange
soak ½ 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

close up of coconut coated chocolate balls including one cut in half. — An essential for holiday entertaining

FAQ'S

How to store?

Store the Rum Balls in the refrigerator.

How long will these keep?

These should keep for at least two weeks but I find they will last even longer than that.

Can this recipe be frozen?

Yes, freeze in an airtight container for up to two months. Allow to defrost in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Leftovers can be refrigerated.

How do I crush the biscuits/cookies without a food processor?

Place the biscuits/cookies in a sturdy zip lock bag, expelling all the air and use the bottom of a glass bottle or mug to pound until finely crushed.

Will the alcohol evaporate?

No, this is a no bake recipe so the alcohol will remain.

Can I make this alcohol free?

Sure! Substituted apple juice for rum. Or orange juice combined with orange zest would be a great alternative.

What can I substitute for the instant milk powder?

There is no substituted but if you'd rather not use it, reduce the rum to ¼ cup and proceed with the recipe.

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?
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Recipe

close up of rum balls including one cut in half

Chocolate Rum Balls

This chocolate Rum Balls recipe is a 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.

5 from 31 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 0

Setting time: 1

Total Time: 1 20

Servings:50 rum balls

Author: Marcellina

Ingredients

▢ 1⅓ cups (395grams/14oz) sweetened condensed milk
▢ 2½ cups (250grams/8oz) crushed plain sweet biscuits/cookies
▢ ½ cup unsweetened desiccated coconut
▢ ½ cup dry milk powder
▢ ⅓ cup dark rum
▢ ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
▢ 1 cup unsweetened desiccated or shredded coconut for coating

Instructions

Combine all ingredients well.
Refrigerate for one hour or until firm.
Take rounded teaspoons of the mixture. Form into balls and roll in shredded coconut.
Refrigerate until completely set. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Variations

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

add ½ teaspoon of peppermint oil or extract
mix in the finely grated zest of one orange
soak ½ 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

How to store?

Store the Rum Balls in the refrigerator.

How long will these keep?

These should keep for at least two weeks but I find they will last even longer than that.

Can this recipe be frozen?

Yes, freeze in an airtight container for up to two months. Allow to defrost in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Leftovers can be refrigerated.

How do I crush the biscuits/cookies without a food processor?

Place the biscuits/cookies in a sturdy zip lock bag, expelling all the air and use the bottom of a glass bottle or mug to pound until finely crushed.

Will the alcohol evaporate?

No, this is a no bake recipe so the alcohol will remain.

Can I make this alcohol free?

Sure! Substituted apple juice for rum. Or orange juice combined with orange zest would be a great alternative.

What can I substitute for the instant milk powder?

There is no substituted but if you'd rather not use it, reduce the rum to ¼ cup and proceed with the recipe.

Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating and leave a comment below!

Nutritional Estimate Per Serving

Nutritional Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For accurate results, it is recommended that the nutritional information be calculated based on the ingredients and brands you use.

Rum Balls Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Tips for success

Variations

FAQ'S

Serving suggestions

More recipes you will love

Recipe