These no-bake Chocolate Rum Balls are extremely easy to make and perfect for a fancy Holiday dinner party. Made with dark rum, pecans and cacao powder and then rolled in your choice of 7 coatings. A delicious adult Christmas boozy cookie.

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So what do you do when you want to have a special Christmas Cookie for the adults in your life but you don’t want to be in the kitchen for hours?

You make these Chocolate Rum Balls with your favorite coating (see coating options below).

I can’t even begin to tell you how incredibly easy these cookies are and couldn’t we use just a little more simplicity this time of year?

Honestly, I love impressing friends and family with my super delicious Chocolate Marzipan Cookies and Cocoa Cup Cookies. However, there is a significant time investment with those two cookies. When you need quick, easy and tasty, Rum Balls are the perfect fit.

Also, if you need a few more easy cookie recipes to complete your Christmas dessert table, then you have got to try my Mom’s Walnut Balls and Orange Cranberry Walnut Balls. They are simple to make and taste so good.

How To Make Chocolate Rum Balls

Combine cookie crumbs, powdered sugar, chopped pecans and cacao powder in a medium sized mixing bowl.
Mix well.
Add rum and honey.
Stir until well combined. If dough is too wet…
add an additional 2- 6 tbsp of cookie crumbs.
Mix well.
Roll in 1 inch balls.
Roll rum balls in coating of choice (picture shows sparkling sugar).

Best Ingredients For No-Bake Rum Balls

The best ingredients for these Chocolate Rum Balls are the highest quality you can afford. However, there are two ingredients that do take these cookies to over the top delicious. The first is Zaya Rum which is a dark rum that has flavor hints of caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and apple. This rum can be purchased in most liquor stores or larger grocery stores with robust liquor departments.

The second ingredient is Cacao Powder which is similar to cocoa powder but has no added sugar or additives. Also, it has a bold chocolate flavor. Essentially, it is the purest form of cocoa powder and has some amazing health benefits.

Honey vs Corn Syrup

For this recipe honey or corn syrup may be used with similar results from both. Just make sure that your honey is real or purchase organic corn syrup. Additionally, maple syrup is a wonderful third option.

7 Different Coating Options

Choose 1/4 cup- 1/2 cup of the following options to roll the rum ball cookies in:

Chocolate Sprinkles
Coconut
Sparkling Sugar (as seen in photos)
Granulated Sugar
Cacao Powder (as seen in photos)
Chopped Pecans
Powdered Sugar

How To Freeze

Once the rum balls are coated, place in an air tight container with a tight fitting lid. I recommend trying to use the Rum Balls within 4-6 weeks for best tasting cookies. However, they will last for up to 2 months if properly stored.

Can Rum Balls Get You Drunk?

Yes, however…you would have to eat a ton of them to become drunk. It is always best whenever consuming alcohol to practice safe alcohol consumption.

More Easy Christmas Desserts

My friend, if you are in a season where life is a little bit more chaotic than you like and you still want to celebrate Christmas in a festive way, then simplicity is what is needed. Dessert recipes like Broonie (aka the BEST darn Irish Gingerbread Cake EVER), Cream Cheese Pie and Peanut Butter Pie are absolutely perfect fits. Believe it or not, the super sophisticated Pots de Creme is actually very easy to make as long as you follow the tips. Also, never underestimate how Orange Cranberry Scones (although more of an intermediate level of baking) can make December mornings extremely bright.

If you enjoyed these Chocolate Rum Balls please let me know by leaving a comment and review below. Doing so helps to encourage others to make the recipe also. Thank you!