Chocolate rum balls are a must-have treat for every festive occasion.
Made with chocolate cookies, nuts, cream, and rum rolled in sprinkles, this easy chocolate rum balls recipe will be ready for holiday gifting.
You’ll Love These No-Bake Chocolate Rum Balls Because…
- This tried and true recipe, which was my Grandmothers, is easy to make with just 4 ingredients and 2 steps.
- Chocolate rum balls are budget-friendly yet extra fancy so you’ll keep this recipe on rotation all year long.
- They are easy to prep and chill (or freeze), for the perfect treat to make (way) ahead.
- Tried and true chocolate rum balls make a tasty addition to any party dessert platter.
Ingredients and Variations
Cookies: Chocolate wafer cookies like Oreos (no need to use the name brand) are perfect in this recipe because they crush evenly and add moisture to help the balls keep their shape.
Nuts: Walnuts or pecans can be used in this recipe. In either case, intensify their flavor and crunch by toasting the nuts in a dry sauté pan until they are barely fragrant. Allow them to cool completely before using.
Rum: Rum adds that signature boozy flavor. Dark, spiced rum adds the most flavor, and you can also use brandy, bourbon, or Kahlua if you like. For a non-alcoholic version, omit the rum altogether. Or use a teaspoon of flavored extract such as rum, brandy, or bourbon.
Sprinkles: Chocolate sprinkles add texture and a little crunch to chocolate rum balls. You can swap them out for any other sprinkles that fit the occasion, shredded coconut, or chopped white or milk chocolate chips.
Variations: To make them without nuts, use crushed graham crackers or Nilla wafers (add extra cream to hold them together, if needed). Make mint-flavored chocolate rum balls using mint-flavored Oreos and mint extract.
How to Make Chocolate Rum Balls
- Combine cookies, walnuts, cream, and ¼ of the rum. (See recipe below.)
- Form into balls and roll in chocolate sprinkles.
- Chill covered, for up to 2 days before serving.
Tips for the Best Rum Balls
- Crush all ingredients before measuring for the best results, but don’t over-crush the nuts since you want some larger pieces in the balls.
- Add additional crushed cookies if the batter is too moist to form balls, or add additional cream if using graham crackers or vanilla wafers.
- Work in smaller batches for the best results as the sprinkles can get soggy if they’re used all at once.
- Make cookies instead of balls by gently flattening them before chilling.
Serving and Storing Rum Balls
Arrange chocolate rum balls and no-bake red velvet cake balls along with pieces of white chocolate bark for a festive party platter. Or use them to top ice cream for a decadent dessert.
Keep leftover rum balls in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze them for up to two months.
More Festive Treats To Try
Did you enjoy these Chocolate Rum Balls? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below.
Chocolate Rum Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (in food processor), about 33 cookies
- 1 ½ cups finely chopped walnuts or pecans
- 3 Tablespoons whipping cream
- ¼-⅓ cup rum white or dark (dark is stronger)
- 2 cups chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
- Combine crushed cookies, walnuts, cream, and ¼ cup rum and mix well. Add more rum if desired, or as needed to make batter stick together well.1
- Use mini cookie scoop or melon scoop and make balls. Roll in chocolate sprinkles.2
- Store in fridge for two days before serving.
Notes
- This recipe makes 30-36 rum balls, but you can make more or less depending on your preferred size.
- These rum balls last a long time, so they are perfect for holiday planning. They can be refrigerated in a covered container for up to a week, or they can be frozen for up to two months.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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How long do these last in the fridge? I assume they live there for potential spoiling/ food safe reasons?
Hi Sarah, chocolate rum balls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 weeks. Enjoy!
How many cups do I need of the chocolate sprinkles for this recipe?
We use about 2 cups of sprinkles for this recipe. You may need a little more or less depending on how many rum balls you make. I suggest working in small batches, as the sprinkles tend to get a little wet.
Is it 3 cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies OR 3 cups sandwich cookies, crushed. If the latter, approximately how many cookies?
Thank you
Hi Alicia, we measure 3 cups already crushed cookies, which is approximately 33 cookies. Enjoy!
Shiver me Timbers. Best rum balls ever. Candace’s husband
Do I need to roll in sprinkles?? I can’t find any in the store here but ready to make them.
Rolling in sprinkles helps with them not sticking together. You could also roll them in nuts, or crushed cookies. You may want to add a little less rum in this case! Enjoy Audrey, they’re a family favorite!