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No-Bake Rum Balls Recipe: How to Make Chocolate Rum Balls

Name: No-Bake Rum Balls Recipe: How to Make Chocolate Rum Balls
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: About 35–40
Ingredients: 1 cup dark chocolate chips; 1 cup confectioners' sugar; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons light corn syrup; ⅓ cup dark rum; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 2½ cups finely crushed vanilla wafer cookies or graham crackers (from about 50 cookies); 1 cup finely chopped pecans or hazelnuts; Chocolate sprinkles, cocoa, or additional confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar), for coating

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Dec 30, 2025 • 1 min read

This easy rum balls recipe is the perfect no-bake holiday treat.

Learn From the Best

What Are Rum Balls?

Rum balls are a dessert typically made by combining chocolate, cookie crumbs, and rum. These no-bake cookie balls resemble truffles and taste like chocolate fudge packed with the rum flavor. You can make rum balls with a variety of ingredients, including leftover cake, light or dark rum, and nuts of your choice.

Different cuisines feature varying rum ball recipes. Rum balls were likely invented in the mid-nineteenth century in Germany, where they are known as rumkugeln. In England and other parts of Europe, rum balls are associated with Christmas and the holiday season. In Denmark, rum balls, known as romkugler, are enjoyed year-round. Romkugler are traditionally made with leftover cake and coated in shredded coconut.

Chocolate Rum Balls Recipe

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13 Ratings | Rate Now

makes

About 35–40

prep time

30 min

total time

40 min

cook time

10 min

Ingredients

1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 cup confectioners' sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
⅓ cup dark rum
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2½ cups finely crushed vanilla wafer cookies or graham crackers (from about 50 cookies)
1 cup finely chopped pecans or hazelnuts
Chocolate sprinkles, cocoa, or additional confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar), for coating

1
Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave.
2
In a large bowl, combine the melted chocolate, confectioners' sugar, salt, and corn syrup.
3
Whisk until smooth.
4
Add the rum and continue whisking until fully incorporated.
5
Add the wafer crumbs and nuts and stir to combine.
6
Pour sprinkles or confectioners' sugar into a shallow bowl or rimmed baking sheet.
7
Roll the rum ball dough into 1-inch balls, and then coat in sprinkles, cocoa, or confectioners' sugar.
8
Store the rum balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

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