Love holiday baked goods but aren’t into actually baking? Boozy Pecan Rum Balls are a no bake treat that is perfect adult treat or a homemade gift! Make be make gluten-free or with gluten ingredients.
Now that Thanksgiving has passed, I have my culinary sights set on Christmas. In my experience the time span between Thanksgiving and Christmas goes oh-so-quickly, leaving the week before Christmas a harried mess generally for me. As much as I love holiday baking, I love a delicious no-bake treat as much! With a nod to the treats of my childhood I’m sharing some boozy Pecan Rum Balls.
‘Boozy’ and ‘treats of my childhood’ aren’t the usual descriptive pairing but in this case, it’s true. My grandparents’ set were sophisticated and elegant people,and they did enjoy some spiked holiday treats that I love today. I recreated my Great Grandmother’s Egg Nog, renaming it Designated Driver Required Eggnog after taking a sip (as an adult). It’s rich, silky and laced, heavily, with warming liquor.
Rum balls are another throwback. I remember visiting my grandmother at Christmas time and it was a big time of entertaining in her senior community. Everyone was well stocked in cocktail peanuts, mixed drink ingredients and sweet treats to be set out at a moment’s notice for friend’s dropping by. Rum balls were always my favorite when I was around. I loved the warming flavors and the light powdered sugar coating.
I’m getting our holiday cheer on with a reincarnation of these favorite holiday treats in the form of Pecan Rum Balls. These no bake beauties are packed with flavor. Melted chocolate, vanilla wafer and graham cracker crumbs (I used gluten-free for both), sweeetened and rolled into balls coated with diced pecans. They can be made a week prior to serving to allow the flavors to blend. I won’t lie, they taste like eating a sweet cocktail. The rum is distinct, and that’s their charm.
Tips and Secrets to making Pecan Rum Balls:
Pecan Rum Balls are not difficult to make. They have two key steps being creating the confection, chilling and then creating the balls. Being one who is always looks for ways to make recipes easier, I find using a tablespoon cookie scoop is the quickest way to create balls and then roll them between your palms. The secret to getting a full coating of pecans is to put them in the palms of your hands and roll them into the balls! Your hands will get chocolately but this method is worth the end result. You can still dust the Pecan Rum Balls with confectioner’s sugar using a confectioner’s sugar shaker. It allows a light dusting while filtering out any lumps.
Whether gluten-free or not, making cookie crumbs at home is a fast and affordable way to make them for this recipe and any other calling for them. It can be especially difficult to find different types of gluten-free cookie crumbs that are normally available in gluten versions. I use a mini chopper to make crumbs since it manages a smaller batch than a food processor does (though a food processor can also be used). Just add the cookies into the chopper/processor and pulverize until fine crumbs are produced. I also use the mini chopper for all my recipe prep that calls for chopping or dicing!
How to make Pecan Rum Balls:
Pecan Rum Balls (a no bake recipe)
These boozy holiday Pecan Rum Balls are a sophisticated no bake treat great to serve for adults all through the holidays.
NOTE: 1 hour chilling time has been included in the Total Time for the recipe. Depending on your chilling conditions, this time may be longer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
- 3 tablespoons Light Corn Syrup
- 1/2 cup Rum
- 2 cups Gluten-Free Vanilla Wafers (aproximately 1-6.3 ounce package of Kinnickinnick Vanilla Wafers) (the same volume of traditional vanilla wafer crumbs may be subsituted if not gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup Gluten-Free Graham Cracker crumbs (the same volume of traditional vanilla wafer crumbs may be subsituted if not gluten-free)
- 1 cup finely diced Pecans
Instructions
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips using the Melt function or cooking at 50% power for 1 minutes, then in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until the chocolate has melted and is smooth.
Stir the sugar and corn syrup into the melted chocolate to combine. Stir in the rum and mix until it is fully incorporated.
Stir in the vanilla wafers and graham crackers. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until firm (at least 1 hour).
Scoop out bite-size balls approximately 1-inch diameter (note: using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop for this is highly recommended) and roll between your palms to make them into smooth balls. Roll them in the diced pecans. Store in a sealed container. The flavor deepens after making so may be made a week before planning to eat them or giving them as gifts.
Shilpa Shetty says
This seems to be super simple, yet yummmm recipe,.. Thank you,..
robin rue says
These are the perfect addition to my Christmas menu this year. I know they will go over BIG with my family!
Stacie says
Nothing goes with Christmas like boozy treats! Just don’t be THAT person and over indulge. That’s the secret. I can’t wait to make these for our Christmas party! Yay!
Veronica Lee says
I am a big fan of no-bake recipes. These are perfect1
Barb says
wondering if I can just make this as a yummy treat w/out the rum?
Toni Dash says
It would be a totally different recipe Barb as you’d have to replace the liquid the rum contributes with something else. I’m sure you could find another fun treat in the Christmas Recipes section!
Bill Sweeney says
I love rum balls! I’d like to try these with the pecans in them. A delicious part of the holidays.
Dogvills says
This is a simple and easy to make delicious treat. I can make a huge batch and fill some pretty mason jars with them to give as gifts. Thanks for the recipe idea!
My Teen Guide says
This would be like mini fruit cake bites. I love rum-infused treats especially if they are aged. It is so delicious. I am going to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Toni Dash says
Actually these aren’t anything like fruit cake. They are made with chocolate and cookie crumbs. They will sustain aging due to the rum (if that is what you meant?). I just didn’t want you to get excited about chunks of candied fruit in here!
Liz Mays says
These are going to be such great snacks. I like the chocolate, graham cracker and vanilla flavors a lot and I’m interested in seeing how the rum works with them.
Maureen says
OH my yumminess, yes please! These pecan rum balls would be perfect for family gatherings this holiday season. They look so delicious and easy enough to make.
adriana says
These look SO good! What a great holiday dessert! They’re so different than your typical holiday desserts too, that’s the best part! YUM! Can’t wait to try them.
Theresa says
I make my husband a treat every year for his birthday (right before Christmas) and these rum balls sound perfect. He does love rum and pecans, so this is a home run recipe to make him!
Susan says
These sound wonderful!!!!!!!
travel blogger says
This looks like a great recipe! I love treat that don’t require cooking! I will have to give this a try, and I will try out the tablespoon cookie scoop. Great tip! I always need tips to make recipes easier since I am a terrible cook ha ha.
Claudia K says
Rum balls are my favorite. I can not wait to make some for my holiday entertaining.
Claudia Krusch says
These look so delicious and easy to make. I am sure they will be a big hit at my holiday party this year. I will have to make some as a trial run this weekend.
brianne says
You had me at no bake. These look so yummy!
Joyce Brewer says
These look like they’d go well with coffee or a warm winter drink. Yummy!
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
Pecan rum balls = wow! I love both ingredients. What more can say? I am making this tomorrow! 🙂
Heather says
I love the throwbacks recipes! The holidays are all about traditions, and these pecan rum balls will be perfect for making new memories.
Crystal says
Got to love the flavors of the season! These sound like a yummy way to celebrate with family and friends. Bonus points for the no-bake recipe.
Sara Welch says
I’ve never had these before. Boy, do they look delish!
Rosey says
I love that they can be made so far ahead of time. Prep time can actually be done when you’re able to do it, instead of having to rush!
Myrah Duque says
I’m not much of a baker so these are favorites indeed.I also like that they are Gluten free and very healthy.
AnnMarie John says
That looks really lovely! I think it would be lovely to have on your dessert table. It’s nice to pack it in little bags as well and share it with family and friends.
Martin Huang says
Easily done and spectacular taste. Love it to every single bite.