Traditional Rum Balls Recipe
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Christmas season is in full swing! Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I do even more baking than normal. You know what makes baking even more fun? Alcohol, especially when you can put some in your recipe and some in your cup! Traditional Rum Balls are the perfect recipe to get you in a festive mood!
Ingredients You Will Need
- Vanilla Wafers
- Walnuts
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Rum
- Powdered Sugar
Equipment You May Need
- Food Chopper
- Rolling Pin
- Measuring Cups
- Wax Paper
- Mixing Bowl
Helpful Tips for Making Traditional Rum Balls
- The vanilla wafers can be crushed in a plastic bag with a rolling pin or in a food processor, if you have one.
- The Rum Balls turn out best if the vanilla wafers are crushed as finely as possible and the walnuts are also chopped as finely as possible.
- The Rum Balls in this recipe are very small (teaspoon size). If you prefer a larger size, this recipe will make less (of course) so you may need to double the recipe.
Variations and Substitutes
- Bourbon can be used in place of rum
- The balls can be rolled in sprinkles instead of powdered sugar for a more colorful treat
- Graham crackers can be used in place of vanilla wafers
Other Recipes You May Like
- Corn Flake Cookies – a delicious no-bake treat!
- Easy White Chocolate Christmas Snack Mix – a no-bake Christmas favorite!
- Kahlua No Bake Cookies – from Rebecca at Sugar and Soul
Final Thoughts on Traditional Rum Balls
These were a hit with everyone that got to try them! I will definitely add Rum Balls to my yearly Christmas baking list. They were very easy to make and took hardly any ingredients. I love it when I don’t have to empty my whole cupboard to make a recipe! What about you?
What is your favorite dessert made with alcohol?
Traditional Rum Balls
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Vanilla Wafers finely crushed
- 1 Cup Walnuts finely chopped
- 1⅓ Cups Sweetened Condensed Milk (1 15 ounce can)
- ⅓ Cup Rum
- Powdered Sugar or Sprinkles
Instructions
- Stir together vanilla wafer crumbs and walnuts.
- Add sweetened condensed milk and rum to the above mixture; blend well.
- Chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Remove mixture from refrigerator.
- Dip palms of hands into powdered sugar.
- Shape mixture into teaspoon-sized balls.
- Roll in powdered sugar or colored sprinkles.
- Store in covered container in refrigerator.
*Adapted from The American-International Encyclopedic Cookbook by Anne London, copyright 1972
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These rum balls look absolutely delightful. So yummy!
Thank you!
This recipe is flawless Mine turned out perfect.
I’m so happy to hear that!
I love rum balls and these were so easy to make, going to make some for my Dad for his birthday!
They would be great for a birthday treat!
These rum balls were amazing! I just love anything with sweetened condensed milk. These did not disappoint! Thank you. 🙂
Me too! Sweetened condensed milk makes everything better. 😉
These look so good! I love your trick for crushing the vanilla wafers! Can’t wait to to try this one!
Thank you so much!
Delicious! I am trying out some cookie recipes in anticipation of the holidays and these are going on my short list, for sure. These are perfect for cookie exchanges and also will look great on my Christmas cookie tray. Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks, Kristin! Yes, they are great for cookie trays. Enjoy! 🙂
These turned out wonderfully! So easy and tasty!
I’m so happy to hear that! 🙂
They seem awfully sticky and not holding their shape after rolling into a ball.
Hi Patricia,
I’m sorry they were sticky. I just made these again yesterday with this recipe and they turned out well. Make sure you refrigerate before rolling in the powdered sugar. It helps to dip your fingers in powdered sugar too. Hope that helps!
Best,
Heidi (aka Lulu)
Could I use spice rum
Hi Marcia,
Yes, you can. It will change the flavor a bit, but it will work the same otherwise. 🙂
Best,
Heidi (aka Lulu)